I was visiting one of the local, but less travelled junk yards today. I was searching for some seats and a console for my 48. Strange how so many of the yards leave good seats set in cars with the windows down or doors open/gone. Years ago, while building my first project, buckets were a highly prized item. Most yards removed and stored them. Guess they are way too common today.
Anyway, I did notice that many of the Explorers and Rangers I was looking at were 4.0 V-6 units. I'm not sure about all years, but I do know the mid 90's Rangers with the 4.0 came with the 8.8. I am assuming since Ford saw it necessary then, it was probably the norm for the entire run. So, if you are in search of an 8.8 rear, let me know. I'd be happy to stop by and get you a price.
I gave him my personal card. He said he does get a few C-10's with T-5's each year and the next one is mine if I want it. I told to not lose the card.

 

8.8's are very plentiful here in SoCal as well...Ford built a ton of them over the last couple of decades. I don't even consider the Ranger or the V6 Explorer units however because there are so many of the better units available from the XLT Explorers. The last two I bought I paid $120 each for the 3:73, 32 spline, trac-loc, units that came with the disc brakes and e-brake cabling.

 

You don't want the ranger units. 28 spline axles vs explorer 31 spline. 98+ had disc brakes on all explorers

 

Wow, in this area they want $350-$750 for those.
BTW, any thoughts on using a 3.27 unit behind a flathead with either a C4 or an AOD?

 

I have no experience putting an aod or c4 behind a flathead but with the power of the flathead I would want a higher ratio 3.73 or 4.10s with an AOD

Also check car-part.com its a junk yard search engine.
I got my 8.8 for $200 3.73 track lock with disc

 

Yea, that's where I got the pricing range in this area (200 mile radius)

I would understand going with a 3.73 with an aod, but if I go with a C4 that would leave me with no real benefit over the stock 3.94

 

Yeah i'm with ya on the C4. But with the automatic already sucking up hp do you really want that flathead to have pull 3.27's gears from a stop

 

Get a hold of TACSON, he may be able to get you a better price.

 

Charlie, I did contact Tacson, he had nothing in his area but did mention a junkyard near me. It was one of the ones I had found through the car parts website. Stopped by another small local junkyard today, he was not sure of the ratios he has but will be pulling one out for me. He wanted $350 for it but after talking a while he found a 79K miles 93 truck AOD in the yard. After a bit of negotiating I will be getting both the AOD andthe 8.8 for $400 and one of my old 4 speed spur trannys.

 

Joe,

Glad to hear. Sorry I didnt catch up with you yesterday while I was in town. My friend who is doing the body work on my 56' putting me to work welding and grinding. I had never seriously welded before except two poor attempts. I will look you up next time I am that way. I dont think you will go wrong with an AOD and 8.8 Explorer rear axle. That will be the setup in my 56'. My friend's 56' has this setup and there is another 55' I saw there in Crossville yesterday running an explorer rear end with a 85' Mustang 5 speed.