Mopar or Ford rear end? Choosing without ratios

756 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by jsm1847, Sep 13, 2020

jsm1847

Discussion Starter · Sep 7, 2020 (Edited)

My MII gets here this week. I'll be pulling the 47 to the body shop to install. But I've been thinking about the rear end since the tires are dry rotted. I'm thinking why buy 2 14 inch tires when i need the rear end changed anyway? But this a big thing too, as I'm reading, to put thought into.

My priority is highway driving, but would like some power too. I will not be going to the track, like ever, but would like some passing power and some tire burning. It would also be nice to kick some teen pride down a notch 0-60. My motor should be 325-400 hp. I will put 18s or 20s on the rear. Not sure what transmission, but overdrive is a must.

Since I have a mopar, id like to keep mopar, but im having major problems finding pertinent information and help on this. Im still toying with and trying to accept the idea that I probably am going to have to have a multi branded truck (Dodge, Ford, Chevy?). I havent quite accepted it yet.

I'm looking at the explorer rear end, for the disk and also similar 5.5 bolt pattern. Thats what I ordered the MII in, Ford pattern.
Please help! I'm having hotrod anxiety over this choice.

John

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ericnova72

· #2 · Sep 7, 2020

Was the MII front kit also ordered in the 5.5" pattern??....because normal Ford car/Mopar car//street rod size is 4.5" pattern.....that big 5.5" was only used in trucks and Lincolns.

Explorer is also going to be too wide unless you narrow it, common deal is to shorten the long side tube to match the short side and use to short side axles. You'll have to look up what the resulting width for that mod is, I don't know it offhand.

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jsm1847

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 7, 2020

Eric,
I thought it was 5.5. I guess its 4.5, but I don't have paperwork in front of me. Its the car one.

Explorer is 56.5 inch... too wide?

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ericnova72

· #4 · Sep 7, 2020

Info I've got says Explorer 8.8" is 59.5" wide WMS-to-WMS....usually that is too much for a 30'-40's car unless you plan to use either a very shallow offset wheel or a rather skinny wheel.

The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Axle Swap

www.therangerstation.com

Shows just the Ranger 8.8" from 1990-1992 as the 56.5" wide version.

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ericnova72

· #5 · Sep 7, 2020

I should revise what I said here too....the Explorer has the 5 on 4.5" car size bolt pattern, and not the old school truck 5.5" pattern, so if you have the common MII conversion 4.5" pattern all your wheels can match.

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cerial

· #6 · Sep 10, 2020

You can pull the long tube/shaft and run another short shaft on the previously long shaft side. I believe this is good for 3" off the top of my head. You may need to offset the engine slightly. But it is not terribly hard and you can do it with junkyard/part out parts.

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jsm1847

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 10, 2020

cerial said:
You can pull the long tube/shaft and run another short shaft on the previously long shaft side. I believe this is good for 3" off the top of my head. You may need to offset the engine slightly. But it is not terribly hard and you can do it with junkyard/part out parts.

Yeah, I think i decided on an explorer rear end. There is a really good YouTube showing it done, shortening, that is. From what information I've gathered, my rear axle is 60' and after shortening the explorer, the measurement is 56.5 or so. I think I've come to the point where as long as my motor and tranny are mopar, I think ill be alright. Heck, my MII kit has Ford rotors with GM calipers 🤦🏽‍♂️

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enjenjo

· #8 · Sep 13, 2020

40's Plymouth uses a 60" rear axle stock. 60s Mopar B body rear is a near bolt in. If it makes you feel better the 8.8 rear is actually a Dana rear.

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jsm1847

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 13, 2020

enjenjo said:
40's Plymouth uses a 60" rear axle stock. 60s Mopar B body rear is a near bolt in. If it makes you feel better the 8.8 rear is actually a Dana rear.

You mean the explorer is a Dana? Ha, that actually does make me feel a little better!

John

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