Okay I see that the 8.8 from an explorer is a good fit for a 53 f100. I think I have located one with drum brakes on good condition locally. My question is what do I need to do to install it into my truck?

 

I grounded the spring perches off and welded on new ones, I got the U-bolts & spring tie plates for the shock mounts. You will only use those f you are putting the axle on top of the springs, I also got the e-brake cables & pedal, it mounted witha little modification. I also got the drive shaft from the Explorer.

 

Jaye hit it on the nose!! I have the same but in disc brakes!

 

I left my Explorer 8.8 rearend under the leafsprings. Moved the shock mounts to the front and kept the stabilzer bar in the rear. I still need to remove the old mounts. I got the leafsprings from Speedway, they have a reverse eye on one end.Got the u bolt kit from Midfifty.



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he he he ... looking at an ABS sensor on the top of the diff under a 1950's model truck....

Super cheap parts, no availability problems, and any ratio you could want, locker, non-locker, drum, disc, anything. For what it's worth, I think thats a great idea ! You don't have to use the $20 a quart synthetic fluid, btw, as long as you flush it all out 80w90 works fine. You lose a .025 mpg fuel economy savings as well as the 100K service interval, but $3/qt.

 

i am looking at a '96 explorer for my "donor" running gear. i found 2 @ salvage with 5.0 and auto and disc rear. both are 150,000 + on mileage. that kinda scares me a lil. the torsion bar frt end would be a thought since it has rack and pinion too. the beauty of explorer is there are a LOT of them for parts. some of the '96's also had cast iron gt-40 heads instead of the gt-40p. so header should be easierto do. lower intake was also gt-40ish as i remember. i sold an engine a few years back out of one and now i wish i hadnt.

 

Or you could buy a four link setup and everything you need will be in a package and you get to ditch those leaf springs for coilovers or bags.

 

LIke MEEEEEE

 

Jaye,
What year EXPLORER rear end is yours? Are you gonna mount the e-brake pedal in place of stock parking brake. Thanks

 

Jaye looking at your pic it looks like you have a big pinion angle?

 

Donald this is a pic of the e-brake pedal & it's a 94 Explorer; Roger the pinon wasn't set when the picture was taken.

 

Jaye,

Have another question for you. You going frame mount or firewall mount with your brake master cylinder and booster?

 

Donald it's mounted on the firewall you can see a little of it in the pic below; its from a Ford Ranger.

 

I used a 8.8 out a exsplorer. used the exsplore springs and ford ranger hangers. I had to shave the hangers to narrow them to fit the perches on the rear end.

 

I did mine just like Jaye. Easy swap. 96 explorer drum brakes, pics in gallery.