9 inch vs. Explorer L73
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Newberg, OR
9 inch vs. Explorer L73
Help me decide. Remember, my project is a low buck build but this issue is killing me. I have no traction on wet roads and I think posi traction (originally a chevy term) will solve my problem. I have a 9 inch open 2.91 with 1-3/4 brakes. I want to install an Eaton truetrac (p/n 912A587) but it won't work with my gears (trac loc won't either). Truetrac, 3:50 ring and pinon, bearings, seal and gasket will cost a grand plus I gota learn how to install the gears. I probably aught to replace wheel bearings while I'm at it. OR I buy this for only $250. Probably a lot more work fitting it to my truck and TrueTrac is probbly better than tracloc and the 9 inch is way cooler but rear disk brakes are probably better. After selling my 9 inch this will be about $1000 cheaper. Even if I put a new TrueTrac in the 8.8 I'll be $500 cheaper than building the 9 inch.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Arab, Alabama
I picked up an 8.8 with 3.73s posi and disc brakes and sway bar. Swapped the whole thing in including the sway bar. All I had to do was weld spring perches on the top side. I set the perches up at the same width and angle as the old ones. Keep in mind the pinion is offset about 2" to the right but shouldn't be a problem.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
I picked up an 8.8 with 3.73s posi and disc brakes and sway bar. Swapped the whole thing in including the sway bar. All I had to do was weld spring perches on the top side. I set the perches up at the same width and angle as the old ones. Keep in mind the pinion is offset about 2" to the right but shouldn't be a problem.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Arab, Alabama
Here's a link to some good info on rear end swaps:
1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles
I also got the aluminum driveshaft out of the exploder. I will have to get the driveline shop to build a shaft with the flange on the backend and the correct yoke to fit the stock 3 speed on the front.
1948 through 1960 Ford F-1 and F-100 Rear Axle (differential) Swaps .: Articles
I also got the aluminum driveshaft out of the exploder. I will have to get the driveline shop to build a shaft with the flange on the backend and the correct yoke to fit the stock 3 speed on the front.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
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Mustang Driveshaft Flange Yoke fits 7.5 and 8.8 inch Rear Ends 1310 Series with small Ford bolt pattern
Or get a 8.8 U-joint yoke.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ms...FStgMgodPxEASw
either will solve the driveshaft to 8.8 issue.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,096
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From: Brentwood, TN
Disc brakes actually started in 96...
The year is not so important, other than mileage, than the model of the Explorer...get an XLT, it comes standard with Trac-Loc, 31 spline axles, and 3.73 gears. The end flanges on these rearend housings are the same as the big bearing 9 inch rearends but the tubes are actually 3.25 diameter...much stronger.
The year is not so important, other than mileage, than the model of the Explorer...get an XLT, it comes standard with Trac-Loc, 31 spline axles, and 3.73 gears. The end flanges on these rearend housings are the same as the big bearing 9 inch rearends but the tubes are actually 3.25 diameter...much stronger.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
You are right Charlie, mine is a 2000. I forgot the comma. Another nice thing about the Explorer (31 spline 3 1/4" tube w/disc brakes) rear is that the emergency brake is a separate small drum brake that is fairly easy to run cables to.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,096
Likes: 656
From: Brentwood, TN
When I built the 9 inch for my truck I bought the rear brake kit from FRPP brand new...it was around $400 as I recall. These brakes were so popular that Ford brought them out as a kit for all of us who wanted to dump the drums. The last 8.8 I bought (a 2000 year model as well) I got for $120 at a yard here in town...that was a super price for this area but even at the going rate, buying a complete rearend is much cheaper than buying the FRPP kit new.
As an added note, LOKAR makes some VERY nice e-brake cables for these kits/brakes.
As an added note, LOKAR makes some VERY nice e-brake cables for these kits/brakes.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Newberg, OR
All very good info. I like the sounds of this and the info for the yoke flange adapter. I might still have to get the drive shaft length modified, hopefully shortened.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Newberg, OR
Disc brakes actually started in 96...
The year is not so important, other than mileage, than the model of the Explorer...get an XLT, it comes standard with Trac-Loc, 31 spline axles, and 3.73 gears. The end flanges on these rearend housings are the same as the big bearing 9 inch rearends but the tubes are actually 3.25 diameter...much stronger.
The year is not so important, other than mileage, than the model of the Explorer...get an XLT, it comes standard with Trac-Loc, 31 spline axles, and 3.73 gears. The end flanges on these rearend housings are the same as the big bearing 9 inch rearends but the tubes are actually 3.25 diameter...much stronger.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,096
Likes: 656
From: Brentwood, TN
The base model Explorer has 28 spline axles and no TracLoc. I believe that this configuration is the same as the Ranger truck. Lots of sources out there on the web, here is just one: The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle Swap