1952-59 Ford Explorer rear axle

What rear axle would a 4.0 powered Explorer have? I have a chance to pick one up real cheap.

 

8.8" with 4.10, 3.73, and 3.55 options 1995 and up 31 spline with disc

 

How to read the codes is here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

 

It's in a '97. Would be great if it had 4.10 ratio.

 

3:73 is the most common overall found.

 

https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

 

Thanks. Looks like the '97 rear is too wide for my wagon.

 

From what I remember reading, stock, they are all too long for all of our cars. The pinions are off centered with 1 long and 1 short axel. You need a second donor differential/car for an additional short axle housing and axle, which will center the pinion and make it the correct width for our cars. Like I said, this is what I've read, not from experience.

 

If that's the case then it's not really feasible to put in my car. I have a brand new 9" I was going to put in my '61 Unibody. I can have the rear centered and new axles for a few hundred.

 

You could still use it the pinion offset is not a real issue your stock rear is 57" wide the Explorer is 59 1/2" wide if you change to wheels with a positive offset it should fit we have run across guys in other forums that claimed to have done it.