F1 Explorer 8.8 Swap Question
#16
09-24-2014, 09:03 AM
Fleet Owner
I could see someone putting a D41 3.73 axle in the truck if it originally came with a 4.27 D44. Can you tell what trans it originally came with? It should say on a plate in the glove box.
#17
09-24-2014, 09:32 AM
I spoke with Gary at length on the phone last night. He is quite aware that the front clip and cab are different years. He bought the truck completely disassembled sandblasted and primered. He's still sorting out just what he has and doesn't have. I'll likely head over to his place this weekend (he's about 30 min from me) and take a look.
#19
09-24-2014, 11:43 AM
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Gary, I noticed from the pictures in your gallery that your front sheet metal is 1948-1950. It could be possible that your frame is also that same vintage, as they came with the Dana 41 vs. the Dana 44 that would be in a 52 model.
I can't imagine why anybody would have swapped a Dana 41 into it.
I also have an explorer axle with 3.73/traction lock/disc brakes that I'm putting
into my 1950 F-1. The Explore axle is 2" narrower than the Dana.
I'm keeping the original ride height on mine, so I can't help you with lowering advice.
Axracer was kind enough to help me out with my project, especially with guidance in frame and suspension matters. He really knows what he's talking about and saved me a lot of grief by heading me in the right direction.
The 3.73 gears will be nice behind the AOD transmission. I'll be using mine with an AODE. Basically the same as the stock Explorer.
BTW, I'm about 20 miles south of Raleigh.
Good Luck!
I can't imagine why anybody would have swapped a Dana 41 into it.
I also have an explorer axle with 3.73/traction lock/disc brakes that I'm putting
into my 1950 F-1. The Explore axle is 2" narrower than the Dana.
I'm keeping the original ride height on mine, so I can't help you with lowering advice.
Axracer was kind enough to help me out with my project, especially with guidance in frame and suspension matters. He really knows what he's talking about and saved me a lot of grief by heading me in the right direction.
The 3.73 gears will be nice behind the AOD transmission. I'll be using mine with an AODE. Basically the same as the stock Explorer.
BTW, I'm about 20 miles south of Raleigh.
Good Luck!
Hi Tony,
The guy I bought the truck from didn't care for the "Teeth" on the stock 52. He found a 48 F1 front end at a swap meet and swaped the front sheet metal. As far as the rear axle, I spoke with Axracer last night and he said that it is not uncommon for odd combos like this. At the time of assemby, due to war, Ford assembled cars\trucks with whatever they had in stock. The cool thing is all parts from 48-52 are interchangeable.
As soon as my account here is fully enabled, I will PM you with contact info. I live in South Raleigh near Garner. I'd like to check out your truck and see what you have done.
-Gary
#20
09-24-2014, 02:04 PM
Senior User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Tony,
The guy I bought the truck from didn't care for the "Teeth" on the stock 52. He found a 48 F1 front end at a swap meet and swaped the front sheet metal. As far as the rear axle, I spoke with Axracer last night and he said that it is not uncommon for odd combos like this. At the time of assemby, due to war, Ford assembled cars\trucks with whatever they had in stock. The cool thing is all parts from 48-52 are interchangeable.
As soon as my account here is fully enabled, I will PM you with contact info. I live in South Raleigh near Garner. I'd like to check out your truck and see what you have done.
-Gary
The guy I bought the truck from didn't care for the "Teeth" on the stock 52. He found a 48 F1 front end at a swap meet and swaped the front sheet metal. As far as the rear axle, I spoke with Axracer last night and he said that it is not uncommon for odd combos like this. At the time of assemby, due to war, Ford assembled cars\trucks with whatever they had in stock. The cool thing is all parts from 48-52 are interchangeable.
As soon as my account here is fully enabled, I will PM you with contact info. I live in South Raleigh near Garner. I'd like to check out your truck and see what you have done.
-Gary
I just sent you an email with my contact info.
Tony
#21
09-24-2014, 06:24 PM
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: peyton, colorado
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
48 F1 here. All my stock parts were beyond repair, so I bought a TCI leaf spring kit with brackets. 8.8 explorer axle over the springs. 3.55 ratio. The spring kit lowered the rear 4", matching the front end. I used some spacers also to get the tires alittle further from the box. At 4" and axle over the springs, you'll need to do a c notch to keep enough travel. My setup is leaf spring only, no sway bar. Price out the rebuild of the stock components and then price a kit. You may be money ahead just replacing the whole thing.
#22
09-24-2014, 07:34 PM
#23
09-24-2014, 08:28 PM
I also installed TCI leaf springs and an 8.8 2000 Explorer rear, 3.73 limited slip, with disc brakes. I got perches for 3 1/4" tubes and installed it under the springs. No sway bar on mine either. I have just done little bit of driving so far, but it seems to handle just fine. BTW the emergency drum brake works well too.
#24
09-25-2014, 09:27 PM
Freshman User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: troy,mi.
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
8.8swap to 49 f1
I am getting started on my 49 f1 project,and am getting tons of info from FTE.THANKS GUYS.I plan to use 5.0 or 5.8 AOD & 8.8 axel.My question,is there any issue with the 8.8 being offset 1-2" to passenger side[stock pinion is centered].Also,some have said they needed wheel spacers.My stock axel measures 59.5 wheel to wheel & 8.8 explores axels I have seen on line claim 59.5 also[95 thru 01].Thanks again
#25
09-25-2014, 09:58 PM
I am getting started on my 49 f1 project,and am getting tons of info from FTE.THANKS GUYS.I plan to use 5.0 or 5.8 AOD & 8.8 axel.My question,is there any issue with the 8.8 being offset 1-2" to passenger side[stock pinion is centered].Also,some have said they needed wheel spacers.My stock axel measures 59.5 wheel to wheel & 8.8 explores axels I have seen on line claim 59.5 also[95 thru 01].Thanks again
craig
#26
09-26-2014, 08:13 AM
#27
09-26-2014, 05:48 PM
Freshman User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: troy,mi.
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
49 f1 rear axel
My bad. I remeasured my stock rear axel,it is 61" wheel to wheel.Not 59.5" as I said earlier so spacers will be needed. still would like to know if off set explorer 8.8 pinion is an issue.do I need to offset motor to match pinion or is the 1" to 2'' offset not a problem. THANKS.
#28
09-26-2014, 06:07 PM
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: peyton, colorado
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The offset pinion is not an issue. The drive shaft only sees one angle, it doesn't care if it's up, down or side to side. I used wheel adapter spacers and changed my bolt pattern to match the jag ifs. Don't remember if they were 1" or 1.5". Clean the mounting surfaces, torque to spec with locktite. Check it after a few miles and you'll be fine. The 4x4 guys use spacers like this without problems.
#30
09-27-2014, 01:20 AM
