Explorer 8.8 rear end
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Explorer 8.8 rear end
I started to mount the rear end on my truck today. Then realized that it was made to mount on top of the springs. But in order to day that, I would have to C-notch the frame...which I don't want to do. I want to mount it to the bottom of my lowering springs. I just need the mounts on the rear end to be on the other side. I was told that you could just cut them off and move them to the top. Well, neither me nor my dad are that good with the torch yet, so I don't want to try it. Does anyone know where I can get a new set, or at least the name of it and I can look for them myself. Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
The other way to get them off is to use a cutting wheel of a 4-4 1/2" grinder jsut cut the welds and grind the rest smooth just be careful not to cut too deep into the axle housing. Summit, Midfifty, and many others carry the axle pads you will have to grind some off them to make them fit the explorer's axle due to it being larger than 3". Even if you wanted to have your spring pads on top the Explorer set-up is more than likely too wide/narrow & the pinion angle may be off.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Thanks guys. I did find them after I searched for spring pads. The spring perches are what I need.
LEckart, I called them yesterday and he was saying that I needed to mount it on top of the spring and C-notch the frame. But he kept saying that if you have drop spindles for the front then you have to in order to even the back out. But I looked at my order for the front end and it's not drop spindles. So I guess I could call them back and get what I need. I think I'm going to let my dad try to weld them on though. He's confident in his welding abilities. We're fabricating a gas tank mount today, and depending on how that goes (with his "welding skills) will depend on if I make a trip out to Pete & Jakes.
Thanks!!!
LEckart, I called them yesterday and he was saying that I needed to mount it on top of the spring and C-notch the frame. But he kept saying that if you have drop spindles for the front then you have to in order to even the back out. But I looked at my order for the front end and it's not drop spindles. So I guess I could call them back and get what I need. I think I'm going to let my dad try to weld them on though. He's confident in his welding abilities. We're fabricating a gas tank mount today, and depending on how that goes (with his "welding skills) will depend on if I make a trip out to Pete & Jakes.
Thanks!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 2
From: Marietta, Ohio
Hi Tiger,
I see that you have already solved your problem. However, as a general note to others that will encounter your situation, I have a suggestion. We have a trailer parts place here that sells all sorts of stuff lie spring perches and the like. They are a lot cheaper than the other sources. I am sure these kind of places are located elsewhere. Sometimes you just have to look for them.
If you are ever thinking about cutting them off don't worry about doing it. The axel tubes are very thick and it is very easy to cut them off. There are a number of ways to do it. You just have to be carefull with how you do it if you want to re-use them. If were going to save them I would probably start with grinding the excess weld away and then using a thin cutting wheel. I would finish with a cutting torch or a plasma cutter. Don't worry about the heat, I have done this lots of times and never hurt anything.
Later Man...
I am curious about something. Did the perches happen to be spaced right to fit the current leaf spring set up you have. I was thinking they were different. Just curious...
Later Man...
I see that you have already solved your problem. However, as a general note to others that will encounter your situation, I have a suggestion. We have a trailer parts place here that sells all sorts of stuff lie spring perches and the like. They are a lot cheaper than the other sources. I am sure these kind of places are located elsewhere. Sometimes you just have to look for them.
If you are ever thinking about cutting them off don't worry about doing it. The axel tubes are very thick and it is very easy to cut them off. There are a number of ways to do it. You just have to be carefull with how you do it if you want to re-use them. If were going to save them I would probably start with grinding the excess weld away and then using a thin cutting wheel. I would finish with a cutting torch or a plasma cutter. Don't worry about the heat, I have done this lots of times and never hurt anything.
Later Man...
I am curious about something. Did the perches happen to be spaced right to fit the current leaf spring set up you have. I was thinking they were different. Just curious...
Later Man...
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Thanks guys. I did find them after I searched for spring pads. The spring perches are what I need.
LEckart, I called them yesterday and he was saying that I needed to mount it on top of the spring and C-notch the frame. But he kept saying that if you have drop spindles for the front then you have to in order to even the back out. But I looked at my order for the front end and it's not drop spindles. So I guess I could call them back and get what I need. I think I'm going to let my dad try to weld them on though. He's confident in his welding abilities. We're fabricating a gas tank mount today, and depending on how that goes (with his "welding skills) will depend on if I make a trip out to Pete & Jakes.
Thanks!!!
LEckart, I called them yesterday and he was saying that I needed to mount it on top of the spring and C-notch the frame. But he kept saying that if you have drop spindles for the front then you have to in order to even the back out. But I looked at my order for the front end and it's not drop spindles. So I guess I could call them back and get what I need. I think I'm going to let my dad try to weld them on though. He's confident in his welding abilities. We're fabricating a gas tank mount today, and depending on how that goes (with his "welding skills) will depend on if I make a trip out to Pete & Jakes.
Thanks!!!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
I just kind of eye balled it because I wasn't welding anything in yet, but it looked like it was only a fraction of an inch off. But if I need to wait until I get more stuff on there to get the pinion angle right, it will be a while before I know for sure. I still have another month before the engine arrives.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 2
From: Marietta, Ohio
I just kind of eye balled it because I wasn't welding anything in yet, but it looked like it was only a fraction of an inch off. But if I need to wait until I get more stuff on there to get the pinion angle right, it will be a while before I know for sure. I still have another month before the engine arrives.
Later Man...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Monterey, Indiana
I put mine on top of the axle and now my rear is pretty high to the height of the front. I wish I had left them on the bottom. I since have taken out three leafs to lower the rear and it is still about three inches more than I would like.
Max E.
Max E.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
What type springs are you using; I had Ranger springs on my 55 and had about 3-4" between the tire I fender. I've since install the TCI lowered leaf kit and put the axle on top of the springs & I didn't C-notch my frame I purchased the kit however, after I saw another member who installed the same kit in a 53 or 54 and didn't C-notch his frame I left it alone and haven't had any problems with the axle bottoming out on the frame. I have a before (Ranger springs) & after (TCI) photos in my gallery "frame swap"
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
I ordered Posies springs with a 3" drop. Now I'm afraid I should have ordered a bigger drop. But we'll see when I get it on there. I'll have to look at your pics with my dad in the room. He said that the guy that told me you could mount it on top was smoking crack. He says there's no way to do it. Looks like you got it done though!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blue8ranger
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
27
Sep 14, 2013 06:54 PM
old_dan
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jun 12, 2013 12:36 AM
M6EV139445
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Sep 26, 2006 06:24 AM
