Rear end kit?

[J48chevy]

Ok, my slow moving build is going into the next stage. Finished installing the mustang 2 front end. I now want to order a rear leaf kit to install. My question is, do they make a kit with the 3.25 u-bolts to install a explorer rear end? I really do not want to order a kit for $600+ after shipping and then have to also purchase all new brackets. All thoughts would be appreciated. Also, where have you ordered these rear kits from? I see a few places, TCI, CCP, etc and they all seem to be about the same pricing. Kits I am looking at come with drop springs, all brackets, shocks, and shock mount cross member. Thanks.

[mr48chev]

I guess I am not that big on spending money for "kits" that I can make up myself within limitations.

Meaning what do you plan to run for rear springs? Leaf, coil, coil over, Bags or ?

Since you are talking U bolts I would think you are thinking leaf springs. Stock, aftermarket or off another vehicle like a Mopar mini van?

U bolts can be had at most parts houses, most 4 wheel drive goodie stores, any automotive/truck spring shop or online. Moroso and others make spring perch pads to mount the axle on leaf springs after you trim all the scabs off it.

Priced out individually the pieces in this kit may come to more than the kit though and it has everything to bolt the axle to the leaf springs. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/171194238654?lpid=82

Another one http://www.knowwhere2jeep.com/ruff-s...31-spline.html

Those are for 2-1/2 inch wide rear springs though.

[whitedog76]

Most off-road supply houses have numerous swap kits. Usually they can customize a kit too.

Here's one from Barnes. You can also look up Ballistic Fab, Rusty's Off Road, and Off-road design.

http://www.barnes4wd.com/Ford-88-Axl...mbo_p_142.html

Some of the spring and trailer supply houses may have what you want too.

General spring, SD Truck Springs, Etrailer, and Eastern Marine are good places to look.

http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/250.htm

[J48chevy]

Thanks. Yeah I should have been more specific. Haha. Basic rear leaf set up on this but obviously want a t least 4 inch drop. Some good sites but any ideas on where to purchase the spring brackets to mount to frame? I have been looking and cannot find the ones I would need. Guess I could then buy springs, kit for 3.5 axle install, and spring brackets and may come out the same or a little cheaper. Just hate buying kits when some of the parts in them I cannot use.

[Root2812]

You can look at my most recent posts in my build thread but I just put in a TCI leaf kit and it would be almost exactly what you are talking about. I ordered it from speedway motors for about $600. I too have the explorer rear end so the axle perches and u bolts didn't work. TCI sends stuff for 3 inch tubes. I ordered new axle perches on ebay for around $25 I think. Then I got new stock explorer ubolts from rockauto.com. I measured and the ubolts that came from my 2000 explorer rear were perfect but I wanted new ones. You could maybe reuse those ubolts if they are in good shape.

Aside from the axle tube being bigger the install was easy and quick. I spent more time cutting the old perches off the rear than I did installing the whole kit. The built in drop is 4 inches so that is on par with what you said you wanted. You could get longer ubolts and some lowering blocks if you wanted to go lower.

Good luck.

[TNACUSTOM]

Mine I wanted to go with coil overs so I got the Speedway Triangulated four bar setup. It comes with the 9" and all the brackets welded on. Its a bolt in kit but looks better if you weld it in. I got the whole kit with housing and axles for 1800. That was with shipping.

[thetaylors979]

Did the Speedway kit fit the original frame? I read somewhere that it was for the Speedway frame and to fit on original frame involved cutting.

[mr48chev]

I think the Speedway kit he bought was somewhat generic. Hopefully he will post some build photos of the install.

[TNACUSTOM]

Originally Posted by thetaylors979

Did the Speedway kit fit the original frame? I read somewhere that it was for the Speedway frame and to fit on original frame involved cutting.

They say its bolt in. I'm going to weld it in the lower bar mounts where the front spring bracket is and the top bar has a bracket that goes inside the frame rail. The kit looks nice it has a Currie 9" and axles. I'll post pic's when I install. I'm buying parts right now I have another project I'm working on right now when I'm done this is next.