8.8 swap questions

[rayfink]

Im now swaping the 8.8 out of a 91 explorer into a 86 bronco2 what is the best way to line it up and is the perch to perch distance the same

 

[88_Eddie]

Im now swaping the 8.8 out of a 91 explorer into a 86 bronco2 what is the best way to line it up and is the perch to perch distance the same

i'd hook everything up, including the driveshaft. get the pinion angle right and get the axle centered. then tack the leaf spring perches on, then unbolt everything and burn the perches on for good.

the EX axle is sprung under and your B2 is sprung over. so you need to grind off the old ones and get some new ones.

 

[Sultan]

Isn't the 8.8 from the Ex 1 inch wider? Does that affect how the B2 will track?

 

[88_Eddie]

it may be, i dont remember. if it is, that's a half inch on both sides, not even noticeable. it would be fine. tons of guys on here have done the swap

 

[rayfink]

I know the swap will work i was just wondering if there are any points to measure from to center the axle

 

[88_Eddie]

I know the swap will work i was just wondering if there are any points to measure from to center the axle

i think the easiest way would be to make the distance from the outside of the leaf spring perch to the brake drum the same on both sides. whatever that distance may be.

hook it all up and then measure both sides. if it's 6 inches on one side and 4 inches on the other, you know need to move the axle 1 inch so that both sides are 5 inches wide.

 

[chvlfrk]

Umm.......

The EX axle is sprung under and your B2 is sprung over. so you need to grind off the old ones and get some new ones.

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You don't have to remove the old perches, as the U-bolts will go outside of them, and not interfer at all. You WILL have to fabricate a upper shock mount crossmember or transfer the shock mounts on the axle tubes to the Explorer 8.8.

GL!

 

[88_Eddie]

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You don't have to remove the old perches, as the U-bolts will go outside of them, and not interfer at all. You WILL have to fabricate a upper shock mount crossmember or transfer the shock mounts on the axle tubes to the Explorer 8.8.

GL!

for aesthetic and functional (like while wheeling) purposes, you need to remove them.

 

[legoms013]

for aesthetic and functional (like while wheeling) purposes, you need to remove them.

I left mine on. It doesn't hurt anything and makes a nice place to put a jack stand or floor jack, look closely: