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  #1  
Old 10-20-2015, 09:02 PM
ericm59 ericm59 is offline
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Default anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

Hey guys,
Has anyone completed a 8.8 rear swap to drop the rear and lower the front 3" in order to get the 3/5? I have lowered i beams on the way and lowered shocks for the front as well, but what should I do for the rear? (in terms of suspension) check the leaf springs? swap out the shocks for slightly lower ones?
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Old 10-21-2015, 03:14 PM
RAT Ranger RAT Ranger is offline
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Post Re: anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

Yes and I narrowed it 3" to run Pro Street tires after doin Explorer suspension setup.
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Old 10-21-2015, 03:20 PM
ericm59 ericm59 is offline
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Oh ok simple enough, so just take the stock explorer shocks and take off 3"?
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Old 10-21-2015, 03:42 PM
RAT Ranger RAT Ranger is offline
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Post Re: anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ericm59 View Post
Oh ok simple enough, so just take the stock explorer shocks and take off 3"?
================
NO! I narrowed my 8.8 Explorer rearend 3" and moved my springs under the frame like an Explorer has, this gave me room for 15x12 wheels with 28x15.50x15" Pro Street tires, none tubbed & inside the wheelwells.

You will need the Explorer U-bolt plates & U-bolts, as you stated you will have to fabricate upper shock mounts/member. I used 80 Cordoba front shocks on mine, as they worked best for my ride heighth.

Look at the pics in the link of my sig to see my setup.
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Old 10-21-2015, 05:24 PM
ericm59 ericm59 is offline
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Ok man sorry I asked lol, thanks for the help
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Old 10-22-2015, 06:27 AM
DrMike DrMike is offline
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Default Re: anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

Do you use the explorer or ranger springs for this?
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Old 10-22-2015, 06:57 AM
ericm59 ericm59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrMike View Post
Do you use the explorer or ranger springs for this?
The other gentleman that commented earlier said he used explorer leaf springs and just narrowed it a bit. Then used front shocks from an 80 cordoba.
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Old 10-22-2015, 04:19 PM
RAT Ranger RAT Ranger is offline
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Post Ummmm......

Quote:
Originally Posted by ericm59 View Post
Ok man sorry I asked lol, thanks for the help
===================
No need to apologize, that's what we're here for! Didn't mean to come across that way....SORRY!



Quote:
Originally Posted by DrMike View Post
Do you use the explorer or ranger springs for this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericm59 View Post
The other gentleman that commented earlier said he used explorer leaf springs and just narrowed it a bit. Then used front shocks from an 80 cordoba.
==================
Let me clarify my work.

Originally I used a drum braked 92 Explorer 8.8 LS, direct swap into a Ranger with the exception of havin to fabricate upper shock mounts and/or crossmember.

Then I swapped in a 98 Explorer disc braked 8.8.

My Pro Street Mod, I used a 00 Explorer 8.8 disc braked rearend, I narrowed it 3" by usin 2 right side axles, then I used my original 94 Ranger leaf springs that I mounted under the frame by usin 00 Explorer front spring hangers, and makin custom rear shackle hangers.

You can see my build from the day I bought if to current through the link in my signature.

Hope this clarifies my comments.

If ya got anymore ????'s, then just let us/me know!
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  #9  
Old 10-23-2015, 10:57 AM
DrMike DrMike is offline
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Default Re: anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

So for those who want to swap rearends and go for the 3/4 drop (and no other modification), then the ranger springs should be used?
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Old 10-23-2015, 08:02 PM
ericm59 ericm59 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrMike View Post
So for those who want to swap rearends and go for the 3/4 drop (and no other modification), then the ranger springs should be used?
I believe the 3/4 drop can just have lowered I beams and a rear hanger flip if I'm not mistaken.

I personally wanted the LS though so I went with the 8.8 granted its gonna need some modifying to make that set up work.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by RAT Ranger View Post
=================== No need to apologize, that's what we're here for! Didn't mean to come across that way....SORRY! ================== Let me clarify my work. Originally I used a drum braked 92 Explorer 8.8 LS, direct swap into a Ranger with the exception of havin to fabricate upper shock mounts and/or crossmember. Then I swapped in a 98 Explorer disc braked 8.8. My Pro Street Mod, I used a 00 Explorer 8.8 disc braked rearend, I narrowed it 3" by usin 2 right side axles, then I used my original 94 Ranger leaf springs that I mounted under the frame by usin 00 Explorer front spring hangers, and makin custom rear shackle hangers. You can see my build from the day I bought if to current through the link in my signature. Hope this clarifies my comments. If ya got anymore ????'s, then just let us/me know!
No worries, the explanation helped out a ton. Greatly appreciated. Cheers.
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  #11  
Old 10-26-2015, 07:37 AM
DrMike DrMike is offline
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Default Re: anyone swap an 8.8 explorer diff to drop rear?

True, you can, but I am hoping for the definitive answer as I have read conflicting info.
I already have dropped ibeams and rear flip kit, but I also want limited slip.

Some posts I have read say that the explorer axle used with exp springs drops about 4, while the use of ranger springs would drop even more.
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