I have been pricing out trying to find an 8 1/4 rear axle for my brother's Duster. They are officially hard to find and cost too much money for me now. So I am looking into alternative, specifically the Explorer 8.8 axle swap alternative.

Reading through Sandy's thread, here is what I have found is necessary to swap a Ford Explorer axle into an A body:
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Ford Explorer 8.8 axle

cut 2 5/8" out of the long side and weld it back together. It's not very difficult. You just need to make sure your cuts are square and you'll need a welder that can handle the 3/16" thick axle tube.

The mounts also need to be relocated to compensate for pinion angle. The Explorer driver side mount is in the correct location but is clocked very wrong for Ujoint life.

Once I get the housing shortened the 8.8 swap is the same as a Ranger 7.5 swap.

With the ford 8.8 there is no shortening or custom axle(s) needed. Just an extra passenger axle( if using the explorer rear). If you can weld, this can all be done in your garage.

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I think I am going to attempt this swap.

My questions:

Are all Explorer axles the same dimension or is there a specific year range I need to try and find?

Any suggestions on what to use to weld the axle tube? I have a metal cut-off saw so I can do 90 degree cuts, and I have a small Hobart handler 125 wire feed welder and an big old Craftsman stiuck arc welder.

What angle do I need to weld the spring perches back on and how do I accurately measure that angle?

What u-joints are necessary to mate the Ford axle to the Mopar driveshaft?

If the Duster currently has an 8 1/4 axle and a driveshaft that fits it, will I need to gt the driveshaft length modified to fit a Ford 8.8?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Sandy answered one of my questions in another post: 2001 down Ford exploder with V8

I installed one into a 67 Valiant. With proper backspaced rims, we didn't need to trim. Cleaned off all the Ford mounting brackets and welded on a fresh set of perches and it was hot to trot after a new driveshaft. Instant 4 wheel disk brakes and LSD!

Thanks. This Explorer axle swap is looking better all the time. I found a bunch of alrady pulled axles on Craigslist for $300. One even had the rear springs, driveshaft stub, shocks, e-brake cables, u-bolts, and sawy bar still attached. However, they are all 3.71 ratios and I want 3.2 or 3.5. Still, the price and availability of these axles is much better than the old 8 1/4.

Are you sure that's available in the Explorer rear? I don't know myself, but the 3.71 is all I've ever heard mentioned.

I was browsing an Explorer website and they mentioned 3.5, 3.2, and even 3.01 in 2wd versions. There is no way that 3.7 gears will work with a 3 speed auto transmission in a street car.

Put the rear in the car and leave the perches unwelded until you have it where you want it. Then weld them fast. It is a lot easier to make adjustments if they are not welded fast!

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Thanks Rick!

Here is a link to a web page about Ranger and Explorer 8.8 axles. It says that ratios could be had as high as 3.0. Common rations seem to be 3, 3.2, 3.5, and 3.7.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_li ... odes.shtml

My axle is a 3.55. Its in My DeSoto now....

Rick is correct on the spring mounts.

Use A body spring plates. and new U bolts

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Thanks Sandy! I plan on using the original A body 7 1/4 shook plates but with the holes ovaled out enev more to accept the Explorer sized u-bolts. I eongated the holes once already switching from the 7 1/4 to 8 1/4.

For those trying to follow along.... http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic ... ys&start=0

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Yep. Sandy's thread is my inspiration for this. When I finally get around to switching the 8.25 out for the Ford 8.8, I will take pictures and document every step in the installation.

I still need to find out about driveshaft length and what u-joint to use to mate the 8.8 to the driveshaft in the Duster.

Dang, even Wildcat doesn't have any 8 1/4 axles anymore. The Explorer rear axle swap is looking pretty dang good.

The explorer takes a 1" shorter driveshaft compared to a 7.25...

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Uhhhhh, if memory serves the 8.25 ALSO takes a 1 inch shorter driveshaft than the 7.25, so if I have a driveshaft that fit with an 8.25 axle it should also fit the 8.8 axle. Yes?

:shrug: