I just got a great deal on a used Ford LS unit for an 8.8 rear axle, complete with new carrier bearings. I would like to install it myself into my open rear diff.NOTE: I think my profile may still say I have a '97 with 250+k miles, that's wrong; I now have an '02 KR with 99k miles.Is this do-able for the better-than-average mechanic? My only concern is the need to re-shim the pinion for proper lash to the ring gear, but I figure if I'm only un-bolting the ring gear from the open diff, bolting it on to the LS diff, do I need to re-shim the pinion?Also I assume that I'll need to do some shimming at the carrier bearings? Do I need to replace them, or can I use the existing shims with the new carrier bearings?Thanks for any advice,TB

 

first of all, you sure your King Ranch has an 8.8? My friends has the 9.75". You do not need to touch pinion, If you have had a rearend apart it is not that bad if you have set up one. I would pull apart, MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT MIX UP LEFT AND RIGHT SHIM! put ring gear on posi and reinstall. check the gear pattern. 50% chance it will be ok, if not you will have to adjust the carrier ships to get the proper backlash. good luck, it is well worth it to have the posi!!

 

If you have a 5.4 Liter engine, that came with the 9.75 inch rear end. You "could" still swap it. But it would be a "downgrade". I personally wouldn't do it. You'd be better off finding a salvage 9.75 LS and swap it.

 

Mine is an F150 with the 4.6, so it has the 8.8 rear, not the 9.75 that the 5.4 came with.If I don't have to touch the pinion, then I can handle shimming the carriers, if necessary.Thanks!