I read before that if you install the 96+ explorer rear offcenter that the driveline will hit the tranmission tunnel. How much clearance will I need if I'm running the late 80s and early 90s mustang driveline shortened to fit? I have 05+ gt mustang rims on the car however with the 1.5 inch spacers they are still close to the leaf spring. I'm hoping the stock length explorer will give the little extra I need to center the wheels. If not I can run shims.
There is someone here that did it uncut, I have one and measured it, I won't use it uncut, it's way off for my liking.
I have one in the garage that I'm debating what to do with. The perches are about 3" too wide, (1.5" per side), so at the very least you'll need to relocate them. I spoke with someone who had done this and it sounded like a BFH fixed the tunnel clearance. Personally I think I'm going to buy a new short side axle and cut the long side to match. It's about 2 7/8" difference which puts it about the same length as the Maverick rear, puts the perches where they need to be, and centers the chunk. Still up in the air on that though.
Anyone with good welding skills can shorten a rear with no special tools. http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=35505&highlight=poor+mans
Does anyone know if the Addco rear sway bar will fit this rear if you use bigger U-bolts? Perhaps weld on some brackets to mount the bar with?
It never occurred to me that by shortening the long side you're off the hook for moving the spring perches. That puts this a little closer to doable. So after that it's just a matter of using the right U-bolts and spring plates? How 'bout the driveshaft? Anything need to be done there?
The 8.8 has a round plate that the driveshaft bolts to. Perhaps you can get the mount and u-joint off a newer style shaft and have it put on your existing shaft... lenth may be different though.
To answer the second half of your question, the Explorer rear is the right length for you to run without spacers.
Whats the length? If the mavericks is 56.5". Ive been thinking of doing this also since i plan to run cobra R wheels. So if its 59.5" or 60" it would be perfect for my application
yea cost was about 450, included narrowing (I supplied the axle and its only one side thats getting narrowed) grinding off all the brackets, installing perches, and going through the posi (making sure everything was in good shape) plus paint. I would narrow it but I would need to change my rims for the offset. As it sits right now my rims work best an axle thats 60"s wide. In the next few weeks I plan pulling the 8.0 and mocking up the 8.8. The first test run with driveline indicates a few whacks of the hammer should take care of my clearance issues. I think the dent will be concealed under the backseat. (at least I'm hoping)
Okay so i google it. And the explorer is 59.75" and the pinion is 2 3/16" to the right. So if ours is centered that means we would need 2.25-2.5" of clearance if I measure it to the stock driveshaft? Im going to go measure it right now.
