Explorer 8.8

[jweb]

I'm thinking of using an Explorer 8.8 in my 64 Suburban.
My concern is the Explorer is offset 3-4"

Has anyone used one of these on a truck or Suburban? Not sure the driveline would clear the sides of the trailing arm crossmember.

[rideblue00]

Pics needed

[MikeN]

I think the offset is small enough to where you would be OK.

You could get under your truck, disconnect driveshaft at the differential end, move that end 3" - 4" to the left, and see where that leaves your clearance at the crossmember loop.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I think the offset is small enough to where you would be OK.

You could get under your truck, disconnect driveshaft at the differential end, move that end 3" - 4" to the left, and see where that leaves your clearance at the crossmember loop.

Unfortunately this Suburban had no engine, trans or driveline when I got it. I have an LS1/4L60 for it but I'm not ready to install it yet.

Since I'm on hold waiting my turn for paint, I'm trying to figure out a few other things.

I have an LS1/4l60 & Explorer rearend in my 51 and so I had planned to run the same setup in this. It wasn't until a recent sleepless night that I thought of this potential issue.

I also considered this crossmember for a littlew extra clearence.

[MikeN]

I'm certain you can get around the crossmember issue. I think you could even drill the rivits on the stock crossmember and move it forward a few inches to increase driveshaft clearance. Another thought is having a driveshaft shop fab you a smaller diameter shaft.

[350TacoZilla]

Don't forget the explorer 8.8 is also a good bit narrower than the C10 axle. May or may not be a problem for you. I had actually thought previously of grabbing 2 of them and using 2 long shafts in 1 and 2 short in the other for projects I had at the time. The shafts are apparently 2.875" different side to side.

Explorer 8.8 = 59.5" WMS
C10 10 bolt = 62.125" WMS
Widened 8.8 = 62.375" WMS
Shortened 8.8 = 56.625" WMS

[jweb]

Well I ordered this crossmember from GMSS
https://www.gowenmountainspeedshop.c...&category_id=7

This will give me the most possible amount of clearance.

Unfortunately I won't know how this all works until after paint, when I can get the engine/trans in.

I like using the Explorer rear ends for a few reasons:

1: For $300 you get disc brakes, 3:73 gears and LSD.

2: Since they are narrower I get more options for wheel offset and width. I use wheel spacers to dial in exactly where I went the wheels set. I know some people aren't fans of spacers but I get them custom made so they are hub & lug centric for the axle and hub centric for the wheel side. I've put thousands of miles on my 51 without any issues.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Personally I would aim for the 03+ Crown Vic version. At 65 inches wide.

Down side to the majority of 8.8 is the smaller outer bearings. So on a truck that will be used as a truck. I would go for the 9" outers at rebuild time.

On my 73 C10. I am running a G10 10 bolt axle at 72" wide with 255/60r17's on 9" wide rims. The rims have about a 5" back spacing. So i have a flush wide stance look with out spacers.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

Personally I would aim for the 03+ Crown Vic version. At 65 inches wide.

Down side to the majority of 8.8 is the smaller outer bearings. So on a truck that will be used as a truck. I would go for the 9" outers at rebuild time.

On my 73 C10. I am running a G10 10 bolt axle at 72" wide with 255/60r17's on 9" wide rims. The rims have about a 5" back spacing. So i have a flush wide stance look with out spacers.

Good point, the larger wheels ( I'll be running 22's for now) pushed out on spacers probably puts more strain on the axles & bearings. Something I hadn't thought of.

I know where I can buy a 65 C-10 rearend, 3.73 posi, just trying to use what I've got.
Also I would end up swapping that to disc brakes so I would have a bunch of $$ into it by the time I was done.

[350TacoZilla]

Yeah I'm definitely not a spacer hater or anything lol. Just wanted to make sure you knew about the width beforehand since it could be a good thing or bad depending or your plans and preferences.

8.8 is a popular swap over in the offroad world too so I have seen them used for bunch of projects and they are a good deal for what you get for sure. I like using junkyard available style parts where I can for easy replacement down the rd vs custom parts.

[jweb]

Well I’m now overthinking the front so I just ordered the QA1 crossmember w/ coilovers. I hope to drive this even more than my 51.

I’ll have to sell the POL rack and pinion, 3” drop springs and stock A arms I rebuilt but I figured it was best to install this while the engine is out and the front clip is off.

I’ll be doing the QA1 rear setup later.

Also thought I would add a current pic of the Suburban.
Plans are LS1/4l60, custom big truck grille, 2 tone paint and some transport wheels for now.

[jayoldschool]

The late model Crown Vic front end might have been a decent front suspension choice. Used in lots of swaps these days.

[MikeN]

I owned a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac for many years. I bought it new, and put 328,000 miles on it. The Sport Tracs have a 4.11 gear with LSD, FWIW.

Also, I regularly towed a 69 Chevelle on an open trailer for tens of thousands of miles with the Sport Trac - no issues with axles, bearings, or anything else. The Explorer 8.8's are fine in any vehicle treated as a truck.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

The late model Crown Vic front end might have been a decent front suspension choice. Used in lots of swaps these days.

There's really nothing wrong with stock C-10 front suspension. Some drop springs and really good shocks probably would have been fine for the type of driving I do.

I'm just overthinking it all and afraid of doing things twice. I have done most thins on my 51 two or three times so I want to avoid it on this project.

I really just want the coilovers to have the most height options. Not planning on going super low but want the wheels to sit just right in the opening. Also not sure how long I'll run the transport wheels, so it give me the option to adjust again if I change wheels.

Also, really wanted power steering, I may use the Suburban to tow our vintage trailer. I already had thee POL rack and pinion kit but decided to go with the QA1 crossmember and rack so I know for sure it will all work together.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I owned a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac for many years. I bought it new, and put 328,000 miles on it. The Sport Tracs have a 4.11 gear with LSD, FWIW.

Also, I regularly towed a 69 Chevelle on an open trailer for tens of thousands of miles with the Sport Trac - no issues with axles, bearings, or anything else. The Explorer 8.8's are fine in any vehicle treated as a truck.

That's good to know. I didn't think an Explorer could tow that much.

I will have my 51 back in the garage in a few months ( it's in storage right now). Just to be safe I plan to check the wheel bearings on it. I've had the 8.8 and spacers on it since 2018.


I appreciate all of the opinions and info from others. It's good to see this forum still has activity.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

The late model Crown Vic front end might have been a decent front suspension choice. Used in lots of swaps these days.

It doesn't fit C10 frames very nicely as it something like 4 inches wider.

Going off memory our frames are 32 inches and Crown Vic is 36.5 inches. Which why it is awesome for early Fords as they share the same frame width.

Some guy has narrowed the CV front ends and I have seen custom steel versions. So I would do either one to no make it look ghetto rigged.

On my C10 I have done sectioned crossmember and a Gulstrand mod. Along with the caster mod. It handles very well for a truck on basic tires, and drives 80mph easily all day.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

It doesn't fit C10 frames very nicely as it something like 4 inches wider.

Going off memory our frames are 32 inches and Crown Vic is 36.5 inches. Which why it is awesome for early Fords as they share the same frame width.

Some guy has narrowed the CV front ends and I have seen custom steel versions. So I would do either one to no make it look ghetto rigged.

On my C10 I have done sectioned crossmember and a Gulstrand mod. Along with the caster mod. It handles very well for a truck on basic tires, and drives 80mph easily all day.

34" width

[LS short box]

A bit off topic but my 98 Wrangler with a LS6/4L60E combo I used a 8.8 Explorer rear end with 4:10 gears. It has been bullet proof for 15 years. I had the drive shaft built with a double u-joint in the back to make up for the 2-3" lift and the offset pinion on the 8.8. Zero vibration.
I did have the axle tubes welded to the center section. If you are modding the axle mounting brackets the 8.8 axle tubes are pretty thin.
I also don't hate axle spacers but only if they a billet aluminum and bolt to the axle.

[SkinnyG]

I have a 9" in my '61, and it, too, has an offset pinion. It just fits through the "X" in my early frame. The 8.8 should be fine.

I would also echo that the stock front is more than adequate for a street truck. Lower it (better camber curve) and move the lower control arm forward 3/4" - caster makes a HUGE difference in handling.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I have a 9" in my '61, and it, too, has an offset pinion. It just fits through the "X" in my early frame. The 8.8 should be fine.

I would also echo that the stock front is more than adequate for a street truck. Lower it (better camber curve) and move the lower control arm forward 3/4" - caster makes a HUGE difference in handling.

Starting with a negative Camber setpoint helps a bunch as well.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I have a 9" in my '61, and it, too, has an offset pinion. It just fits through the "X" in my early frame. The 8.8 should be fine.

I would also echo that the stock front is more than adequate for a street truck. Lower it (better camber curve) and move the lower control arm forward 3/4" - caster makes a HUGE difference in handling.

Good to know the 8.8 fits on your 61.

Also I probably should have stuck with the stock front. Just don’t want the same experience I had on my 51 where I changed different pieces multiple times. I’ve had 3 engines, 2 different rear suspension setups and multiple different components in the front suspension.

I tried to save money initially and had zero experience with hot rods, which ended up costing me more in the long run. Probably causing me to over due it this time.

Added a pic of the 51 just because I’ve mentioned it a few times in this thread, I know it’s off topic.

[jweb]

I ordered the QA1 rear setup also, it’s back ordered until the end of the month.
My GMSS crossmember shipped today. So hopefully I can get the front and rear done when the back ordered parts show up.

Still won’t know how the driveline works out until after paint but based on the info I got here I’m not as concerned. I’ll stick with the Explorer 8.8 and see how it goes.

Will try to follow up as I get all of this together. A lot to do on this project and the holidays will slow my progress.

[_mg]

Originally Posted by jweb

Good to know the 8.8 fits on your 61.

Also I probably should have stuck with the stock front. Just don’t want the same experience I had on my 51 where I changed different pieces multiple times. I’ve had 3 engines, 2 different rear suspension setups and multiple different components in the front suspension.

I tried to save money initially and had zero experience with hot rods, which ended up costing me more in the long run. Probably causing me to over due it this time.

Added a pic of the 51 just because I’ve mentioned it a few times in this thread, I know it’s off topic.

Nice truck!

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by jweb

That's good to know. I didn't think an Explorer could tow that much.

The Explorer Sport Trac has a longer wheelbase than a standard Explorer SUV, and is rated to tow more weight than a regular Explorer SUV. My 2004 Sport Trac was rated to tow 5500lbs. My 1800 lb open trailer and 3700 lb Chevelle put me right on the money. That said, factory tow ratings are VERY conservative. With a good quality brake controller, brakes on both axles of my trailer, and a weight-distributing hitch, it was ZERO drama to tow that load with the Sport Trac.

Your truck looks like it will be awesome.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by MikeN

The Explorer Sport Trac has a longer wheelbase than a standard Explorer SUV, and is rated to tow more weight than a regular Explorer SUV. My 2004 Sport Trac was rated to tow 5500lbs. My 1800 lb open trailer and 3700 lb Chevelle put me right on the money. That said, factory tow ratings are VERY conservative. With a good quality brake controller, brakes on both axles of my trailer, and a weight-distributing hitch, it was ZERO drama to tow that load with the Sport Trac.

Your truck looks like it will be awesome.

I think the axle will be fine. I will probably replace the bearings before the final install since the axle has been sitting so long.

I'll get get the front suspension in this weekend, the QA1 rear won't be here until early next month, it's on back order. Hoping to have it all in by January.