Explorer 8.8 Axle in a G Body

[87National]

Please elaborate on the term "TRUCK CHASSIS KIT". I hadn't heard of that before you mentioned it. Thanks.

Trick Chassis


https://trickchassis.com/index.php?...lower_control_arms-no/weld_on_spring_perch-no

 

[454GrandPrix]

I have a Fox 8.8 in my GP. I used the Trick Chassis correction kit linked above, plus their adjustable lower arms so I could more easily center the axle in the wheelwells. This got me on the road back in 2016, albeit with mismatched wheels. In 2017, I then upgraded to a Strange alloy 31-spline axles with c-clip eliminator kit, and a Detroit TrueTrac diff all in one operation... and now I'm back to matched wheels. 🙂

 

[81_El_Homewrecker]

Please elaborate on the term "TRUCK CHASSIS KIT". I hadn't heard of that before you mentioned it. Thanks.

They make an 8.8 swap kit for gbodys which comes with buckets for the upper arms so you can adjust (lower) the angle to fix the instant center issues which contribute to the wheel hop issue. It also includes the adjustable heim joint upper arms.

 

[81_El_Homewrecker]

98 axle already has 31 spline axles. I'm unaware of the exploder having bigger axles than that. Only difference would be gear ratio options. I don't want 3.73s in my car, waaaay too steep!

Mine is from a 98 GT and has 28 spline.

 

[Turbolq4]

Mine is from a 98 GT and has 28 spline.

It's funny you say that. Hot Rod says '94+ mustang has 31 spline. Have you had yours apart?
I never bothered to pull mine apart to count them. Just added oil and beat on it. It's held up to really big power in my car whatever it happens to be.

 

[81_El_Homewrecker]

It's funny you say that. Hot Rod says '94+ mustang has 31 spline. Have you had yours apart?
I never bothered to pull mine apart to count them. Just added oil and beat on it. It's held up to really big power in my car whatever it happens to be.

Yes when I rebuilt it then again when I drilled the axles. I had to count the splines because one axle that came with it when I pulled it at the yard already had two set of holes drilled in it?? So I had to grab a third so I could drill my Chevy pattern. I thought about doing the exploder upgrade, but like you said I beat on it with the mustang tires on there and it’s held up great!

 

[ham1974]

Just an FYI if you can get the shirt side off another axle from junkyard you won’t have to have the rear shortened. I had one in an s10 just got the tube and an axle from another rear and had rotors re drilled.

 

[Macguyver]

Older thread but worth a read. This is more of a common swap these days for the budget minded guy. The 59.5" width is just right for G-Bodies. We spent the last couple months doing several of these swaps with no mods to the Explorer 8.8. Here is a link with all the info needed.
https://southsidemachineperformance.com/products/explorer-88-swap-kit

 

[Opie Knievel]

I found an article on Hot Rod about this a few years ago.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/how-to-swap-ford-rear-into-a-gm-g-body/

 

[87National]

Older thread but worth a read. This is more of a common swap these days for the budget minded guy. The 60" width is just right for G-Bodies. We spent the last couple months doing several of these swaps with no mods to the Explorer 8.8. Here is a link with all the info needed.
https://southsidemachineperformance.com/products/explorer-88-swap-kit

So what am I missing here? You say no mods to the explorer rear.....so you installed it "as is" with the pumkin offset to one side?