Originally Posted by
XRT_si
All of the UK Ford Explorers came with the 8.8 fitted with a 3.73:1 ratio, an LSD and 31 spline shafts. They do have an off-centre pigs head but normally you have to narrow them anyway as they too long. Depending on what car it's going under there is a cheap way of narrowing the axle using two 'short' sides, but still works out around 55" from memory. They are cheap from breakers though as no one wants one as they don't break - around £80 is normal. Andy Robinson/Hauser/Chris Isaacs will all narrow the axle and supply and fit shafts to any length for around £650.
It's a good option as 8 inch axles are really drying up i this country - I was looking for one for quite some time!
i think u would find them to narrow for most cars if narrowed, i put an explorer axle on a capri mk3 and with granada cossie wheels it was perfect, i know the wheels were the wrong pcd but they were close enoght to roll it around on, the purches for the leaf springs was in the right place as well, just the prop flange was to far to the drivers side, would have had to cut floor, it was then fitted to a p100 and other than moving the perches it worked spot on, width was spot on as well.
and with a bit of modding the sierra hand brake cable fits, all uk explorer 8.8's have disc with inboard shoes for the handbrake.
i'm thinking of shipping in half a dozon of these axle, with different ratios, if anyone is interested, i need 1 or 2 for projects i have planned, so may as well ship a few extras, as i'm in the states for the rest of the year i can sort shipping from this side, should make it cheaper, pm me if interested i'll b going with 2.73 ratio because of light weight and big power, but there is a wide choice of ratios