installing explorer rear end

i am installing a ford explorer rear end in my 1946 ford sedan. will the explorer spring hangers work on the 46 if not how do i build them.or can i buy something that will work thanks

 

You need to be a little more specific on your project. If you are using the original buggy spring setup you will need to fabricate mounts for the hangers and wishbones.

If you are converting to paralell leaf springs it will be easy to just weld on new spring pads to the housing

 

i'm no expert, but isnt that rearend to wide for your 46 ? i'm using a 01 explorer rear in my 53 stude. they are about 59 inches wide outside to outside. i narrowed mine by using a short axle where the long one is supposed to be.now i have 56.25

 

Actually ... the original rear end width on the 46 FORD is 60 inches

 

If its 59 inches from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface it would be a great fit. I run a Granada 8-inch in my 48 Ford coupe and it is 58 inches wide. Another 1/2 inch wider per side would work as well.

 

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

thats the axle going into my 41 ford. 59.5 inches. they came with 3.55 or 3.73. later were disc and they are 31 spline to boot! if i remember right, all 3.73s are lockers too.

bob

 

I have owned three with the 3.73 and all of the ones I had were POSI

 

I've seen some info posted on the net about 8.8 explorer limited slip units with a 3.25 ratio. However I haven't been able to find one. Anyone seen one?

 

My 46 has an explorer rear under it. Car isn't driveable yet but the suspension is all together. I'm using a weedeatr parallel leaf kit and we had to cut off the factory spring perches and weld new ones on. The explorer axle tubes are thicker than most rears (3.25 instead of 3.0 I believe) so you'll need to either trim the generic spring perches or find ones made for the thicker tubes.

 

I'd be very surprised to find an Explorer with a 3.27, the tallest ratio you're likely to find in an Exploder is a 3.55. The 3.27 is a very common 8.8 gearset in Crown Vic cop-cars and Thunderbird SCs.

 

for perches ya might try 4X4 shops,it's a very common swap with jeep guys.or look at Jeep Grand Cherokee rears

 

A 3.27 is what I meant, I was spouting that off of memory. Below are a couple tables that I've been curious about. It lists a D1 as a 3.27 L/S axle for an explorer, but I have never saw one nor have any of the local junkyards....

I was wondering if maybe it was on the 2 wheel drive versions or something?

http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

This is a VERY popular swap for jeeps as said. You shouldnt have any issues finding brackets, and should be able to walk into just about any 4x4 place and get them off the shelf. The grand cherokee used a very poor version of a dana 44, I would stay away from in anything.

 

Spring saddles won't be a problem. Just be careful that the axle tubes come out of the welding process straight, and that you get the right pinion angle.

 

depends alot on how much horse power you shove threw them,i seen some go forever -but seen some blow their guts all over the ground, for a low horse daily driver i wouldn't worry, i have one thats got over a 163.ooo miles on it--but we're running a straight 6 & auto tranny.

 

We installed a few years ago in my dad's 41 ford tudor. we used the Chassis Engineering parallel leaf kit for a ford rear end. We also had to cut off the old perches and weld on new ones. Dad is even thinking of fabbing some brackets to use the torque arms and sway bar from the explorer too. The rear we used has 31 spline axles, locker, and 3:73 gears w/ disc brakes.
Matt

 

I got one in my '47 ford.3.73 gears,disc brakes and posi to boot,and fits fine.

 

the 2 door sport stick shift explorers have 4:10 gears. I've got a couple

 

check with deuce roadster.

 

i stand corrected. i just thought that all the 40's car were narrow.

 

The rear in my T is 8.8, 3.23 limited slip/ disc brakes I believe it was 1995.

 

Was it out of an explorer (I'm sure it was just verifying). If you ever have that thing on a lift are under it within the next few months would you mind pulling the tag number on it for me???

 

I'll take a look at it tomorrow.

 

I have this list printed out and keep it in my pocket when hunting rear axles.
You can check the VIN/code sticker and not have to crawl under the original donor vehicle.

19 — 3.55 non-limited slip (Econoline, F-150)
18 — 3.08 non-limited slip (F-150)
17 — 3.31 non-limited slip (Econoline)
H9 — 3.55 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
B6 — 3.73 limited slip (F-150, F-250)
24 — 3.73 (Econoline)
32 — 4.10 (Econoline)
35 — 4.09 (Econoline)
34 — 3.73 (Econoline)
39 — 3.55 (Econoline)
52 — 4.10 (Econoline)
56 — 4.10 (Econoline)
81 — 4.63 (Econoline)
27 — 3.31 non-limited slip (F-250)
26 — 3.73 non-limited slip (F-250)
41 — 3.27 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
45 — 3.55 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
46 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D1 — 3.27 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D4 — 3.73 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
D2 — 4.10 limited slip (Explorer/Mountaineer)
84 — 3.45 non-limited slip (Ranger)
86 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
87 — 4.10 non-limited slip (Ranger)
89 — 4.56 non-limited slip (Ranger)
F6 — 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)
F7 — 4.10 limited slip (Ranger)
92 — 3.08 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R5 — 3.55 limited slip (Ranger)
91 — 3.27 non-limited slip (Ranger)
96 — 3.73 non-limited slip (Ranger)
R6 — 3.73 limited slip (Ranger)"
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the D1 and 41 codes are very rare.
Mountaineers are pretty rare when compared to the Explorer ...
But more of them ( per centage wise ) have the limited slip

 

Tag says: S231C 3L 27 88 6H28

It might be 3.27 (my old memory)

 

Thanks!!!

 

very good to have mr. deuce roadster.

 

The Pick-A-Part here on the other side of town had a Mountaineer with a 3.27 non posi a few weeks ago.
Someone had already got the brake stuff off it

Most likely still there

.

 

Can I retract my comment? lol I should have added that we have never saw one with a D1 label and a POSI/Lim Slip 3.27.

I'm wondering if it came in a certain combo, like a V8 version that was 2 wheel drive. 2 Wheel drive anything around here is rare..........

 

46fatford
aside from the correct pinion angle when you set your spring hangers does it matter or not if you follow the same original installed spring measurements? when i removed my 97 rear i took some measurements & found the rear hanger to be 11" higher than the front........should that be duplicated????? does this even matter?
Also whats the feeling with the pinion offset 2" to the right? should engine be offset 2" right also??????