How to narrow a ford Explorer 8.8 rear end!

[@natedawg4997]

I picked up an explorer rear end for my 65 and looking to do the same thing. Thanks for the video it'll help alot!

[@toyshopfab]

Sure thing 👍

[@ryantyniec1081]

This was the best "budget" oriented video on the topic I have seen. You did a great job explaining all of the steps, and detailing the various angles was a huge bonus. Going to be doing this for a Volvo 240 in the coming months.

[@toyshopfab]

Thanks, I definitely appreciate that and have fun with that build!

[@paulhudgins5120]

Nice job of cutting & welding, centering the 8.8 diff., man you have some mad skills, it turned out great. Can't wait to see it back under the car.

[@toyshopfab]

Thank you, can't wait either!

[@nofortunatesonII]

FWIW: First generation Ford Rangers came with an 8.8 if you ordered the extended cab with the 4.0L engine. They all were 3.08 opens that I found at salvage yards many years ago, but housing width may fit other vehicles, quite a bit narrower than an Explorer 8.8. They don't have the 31 spline axles like the Explorer does. My second generation Ranger FX4 Level II has an 8.8 with 31 spline axles and a Torsen differential from the factory.

[@TheRaulr151]

Great video man. Using this as a reference. Almost ready to start measuring and cutting.

[@toyshopfab]

Right on!!

[@LypheusX]

Nice work, really good information here - thank you!

[@toyshopfab]

Thank you!!

[@RiggsGarage]

Been following your 8.8 work, probably going to use an 8.8 on something eventually!

[@toyshopfab]

They are awesome budget rear ends with tons of aftermarket support!

[@kuzz7919]

Good job and I like the fact that you took all the measurements just to make sure !!! What is the measurement from wheel hub to hub after being cut ?

[@toyshopfab]

Thanks, I'm offshore right now but I believe the measurement is 51 1/4 from inside flange to flange

[@TheMajictech]

Shimming brakes is not a big deal, wilwood kits require shims.

[@LynnTwinCustoms513]

I stick welded mine and it put a lot of heat in the tube hopefully it didn’t warp hahaha

[@toyshopfab]

There's always that chance haha

[@LynnTwinCustoms513]

@@toyshopfab I’m always willing to risk it haha Can’t be scared to dive into a project!

[@toyshopfab]

Me too, I believe that's the best way to learn!

[@FrankA-973]

Nice work. Did u weld up the sensor hole ?

[@toyshopfab]

Thanks, and no, I didn't. I left it alone in case I could use it for something in the future.

[@TheMajictech]

Just drive a freeze plug in it, not worth the risk of that much heat in one place in a cast housing it would probably crack.

[@blueplatinum2082]

Did you use the passenger side axel on the driver side

[@toyshopfab]

Yes I did

[@toddmercer2090]

Which pinion yoke did you use to put the 8.8 in mustang?

[@toyshopfab]

It still uses the factory Ford Explorer yoke

[@MAGICHORSEMAN]

What is the magnetic tool?

[@toyshopfab]

Its a digital angle finder, definitely a good tool to have. www.ebay.com/itm/394108939306?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=b3pmr4g9q0i&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=0TuPthtIRTK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@terrysibley9636]

How far off center does this technique mo e the Pinon

[@toyshopfab]

This allowed me to move the pinion roughly 1.5" to be able to center it in the mustang drive shaft tunnel

[@terrysibley9636]

@@toyshopfab ok. How much overall tire clearance did you achieve

[@toyshopfab]

I have about 3/4" clearance between the tire and the quarter panel, the quarter panel lip is rolled and I run a 275 60r 15

[@terrysibley9636]

@@toyshopfab very nice. I just picked up a 8.8 today LS373. Out if a mountaineer. Late 99's early 2000s. Lot of reworking to do so thanks for any and all tips. Oh by the way it's going under a v8 ranger. Should be fun. Have a great evening

[@MrBlackbutang]

You sure do things the hard way.

[@toyshopfab]

If you have a better way of doing things than shoot me the link. I'm always up for learning something new!

[@MrBlackbutang]

@@toyshopfab maybe you should do more homework? You’re works but time consuming.

[@nsmturbo5902]

I didn't see anything hard about the way he did this, looks pretty straight forward to me. Unless you're gonna buy jigs, I say he did a great job! I always find it funny when people criticize somebody but then they have *ZERO* advice.......

[@timferguson9005]

who cares how long it takes as long as its done right ive built a chevy s 10 from the ground up and never cared how long it took as long as i did it right