swapping rear ends
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Long as its the same (9.75 or 8.8) it'll work. 5.4L had the 9.75 and 4.6/4.2 had the 8.8. What do you need replacing on your rear end that you would just want to swap out the entire thing?
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New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
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I Accidentally Switch On THE 4H Switch thinking it was the heater switch and the truck locked up on me on the freeway and stalled .the gears left a hole in the differential and the tranny Wil also need replacing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
I've only seen a hole blown through a rear differential once and that was on a 99 AWD Chevy Astro, not sure what had happened but we ended up replacing the whole thing with a used one from a salvage yard. My dad ended up paying just a bit over $200. I would recommend replacing the wheel bearings, fluids and the rear dif gasket. Make sure it also has the proper gear ratio as well. If your original gears were not damaged I would swap them over to the new/used dif.
If the brake lines look good on the replacement then no need replacing them. But better to be safe than sorry.
Main reason why I am suggesting replacing the wheel bearings now is so you know when they were done. They can go out at any random time. Mine went out after 230K miles and never expected it to happen. I've heard them going at 150K and heard them never going out even with over 300K. 75w140 I believe is the recommended gear lube for the rear dif, full synthetic.
Hope this helps.
If the brake lines look good on the replacement then no need replacing them. But better to be safe than sorry.
Main reason why I am suggesting replacing the wheel bearings now is so you know when they were done. They can go out at any random time. Mine went out after 230K miles and never expected it to happen. I've heard them going at 150K and heard them never going out even with over 300K. 75w140 I believe is the recommended gear lube for the rear dif, full synthetic.
Hope this helps.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Republic of Texas
This, the Expedition uses coil springs (or an air ride setup depending on model), so while it could work, it would involve a bit of fab work.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2015
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It locked up when switching to 4H? That sounds more like you switched it to 4L at highway speeds. It's made to switch to 4H on the fly (up to 55mph) so I would be very surprised that a few more miles per hour would result in a full on grenade in the trans/rear end.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
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From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
I believe I'd look for a F150 rear end, you may be getting a "good deal" from the guy with the Expy, but after fab work and modifications, you'll probably be money ahead going to junk yard and getting one from a like model F150.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 5
From: Katy, Republic of Texas
If they are the same axle, yes.
These trucks had either a Ford 8.8 or Ford 9.75 axle. Also check if the replacement has the same type of brakes (drum or disk) to make the swap easier, as well as the same gear ratio (yes it can be changed, but easier if it is already the same as what is coming out).
With the 5.4 the 9.75 is the better axle (and I think 5.4 option gives you the 9.75 axle).
These trucks had either a Ford 8.8 or Ford 9.75 axle. Also check if the replacement has the same type of brakes (drum or disk) to make the swap easier, as well as the same gear ratio (yes it can be changed, but easier if it is already the same as what is coming out).
With the 5.4 the 9.75 is the better axle (and I think 5.4 option gives you the 9.75 axle).
New User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10
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If they are the same axle, yes.
These trucks had either a Ford 8.8 or Ford 9.75 axle. Also check if the replacement has the same type of brakes (drum or disk) to make the swap easier, as well as the same gear ratio (yes it can be changed, but easier if it is already the same as what is coming out).
With the 5.4 the 9.75 is the better axle (and I think 5.4 option gives you the 9.75 axle).
These trucks had either a Ford 8.8 or Ford 9.75 axle. Also check if the replacement has the same type of brakes (drum or disk) to make the swap easier, as well as the same gear ratio (yes it can be changed, but easier if it is already the same as what is coming out).
With the 5.4 the 9.75 is the better axle (and I think 5.4 option gives you the 9.75 axle).