FD Explorer 8.8 Diff Kit
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
FD Explorer 8.8 Diff Kit
The FD Explorer 8.8 is now released for purchase!
FD Ford 8.8 IRS mounting kit
Why? The Ford 8.8 is a substantially stronger diff than the factory Mazda rear end. It's available in a huge range of gear ratios (3.08:1 up to 5.71:1) just looking at Summit Racing. Gears are also cheap since Ford has used the 8.8 in so many varieties. You can also find just about any style of differential from factory clutch packs, to spools, to helical gears.
We use a donor rear end from a 2007-2010 Ford Explorer (some 06's work but it appears that there may be a half model year split, you want dual front mounts). It's Ford's classic 8.8" ring an pinion in a stout aluminum case. This particual case is noteworthy because it uses massive dual front mounts. The support points on the Explorer makes the Cobra 8.8 front mounts look tiny by comparison. Furthermore, the Explorer parts are both easier and cheaper to come by than the comparable Cobra pieces. The Explorer diff even has fins which the Cobra doesn't for slightly better cooling.
Here's the 8.8 Cobra from a terminator Mustang (note the tiny front mounts)
Explorer (in our test fitup!):
You're not breaking these ears off!
Our front mount is a weld in cradle which is well triangulated to the subframe. Everything mounts from the topside which dramatically improves the load path AND you'll retain close to factory like exhaust clearances.
Lots of space for exhaust!
The rear mount uses a sandwiched ring with the ears cut off the factory cover.
Note, depending on which year of explorer you end up with you may find that Ford changed the rear cover design. Some 2006 covers are the same as the 02-05 setup and use a high rib count. Here's the comparison with what the never cover looks like (cover on the left has already had its ears cut off).
Kit includes:
• Front Mount Support Bridge (weld in)
• Rear Mount Diff Ring Cradle (bolt on)
• 2X Custom 4340 heat treated axle bars (Ford to Mazda conversion)
• 2X EMPI CV boot kit 86-2127 (outer CV joints)
• 2X EMPI CV boot kit 86-2103 (inner CV joints)
• All Mounting Hardware
• RTV silicon (for rear cover installation sealing
• Instructions, specs, and recommendations on mating parts (IE driveshaft) sent electronically
Users must provide:
• FD Outer CV Joints (typically donor from the car being swapped)
• Ford 8.8" Rear End (2007-2010 Ford Explorer) including inner stub axles/CV joints
• A Driveshaft (install instructions include a variety of recommendations)
• FD rear diff isolators (user's choice of style but we like polyurethane).
Pricing will always be current on www.roninspeedworks.com but we're launching this at $1195. All in, including donor parts $1800 to $2000 is a reasonable budget depending on what you want for a driveshaft.
How much power will it hold? A LOT, but to be fair we don't really know since we haven't broken one yet. One of the early adopters is making 1000 whp in a road race application. No issues thus far.
-Joel
FD Ford 8.8 IRS mounting kit
Why? The Ford 8.8 is a substantially stronger diff than the factory Mazda rear end. It's available in a huge range of gear ratios (3.08:1 up to 5.71:1) just looking at Summit Racing. Gears are also cheap since Ford has used the 8.8 in so many varieties. You can also find just about any style of differential from factory clutch packs, to spools, to helical gears.
We use a donor rear end from a 2007-2010 Ford Explorer (some 06's work but it appears that there may be a half model year split, you want dual front mounts). It's Ford's classic 8.8" ring an pinion in a stout aluminum case. This particual case is noteworthy because it uses massive dual front mounts. The support points on the Explorer makes the Cobra 8.8 front mounts look tiny by comparison. Furthermore, the Explorer parts are both easier and cheaper to come by than the comparable Cobra pieces. The Explorer diff even has fins which the Cobra doesn't for slightly better cooling.
Here's the 8.8 Cobra from a terminator Mustang (note the tiny front mounts)
Explorer (in our test fitup!):
You're not breaking these ears off!
Our front mount is a weld in cradle which is well triangulated to the subframe. Everything mounts from the topside which dramatically improves the load path AND you'll retain close to factory like exhaust clearances.
Lots of space for exhaust!
The rear mount uses a sandwiched ring with the ears cut off the factory cover.
Note, depending on which year of explorer you end up with you may find that Ford changed the rear cover design. Some 2006 covers are the same as the 02-05 setup and use a high rib count. Here's the comparison with what the never cover looks like (cover on the left has already had its ears cut off).
Kit includes:
• Front Mount Support Bridge (weld in)
• Rear Mount Diff Ring Cradle (bolt on)
• 2X Custom 4340 heat treated axle bars (Ford to Mazda conversion)
• 2X EMPI CV boot kit 86-2127 (outer CV joints)
• 2X EMPI CV boot kit 86-2103 (inner CV joints)
• All Mounting Hardware
• RTV silicon (for rear cover installation sealing
• Instructions, specs, and recommendations on mating parts (IE driveshaft) sent electronically
Users must provide:
• FD Outer CV Joints (typically donor from the car being swapped)
• Ford 8.8" Rear End (2007-2010 Ford Explorer) including inner stub axles/CV joints
• A Driveshaft (install instructions include a variety of recommendations)
• FD rear diff isolators (user's choice of style but we like polyurethane).
Pricing will always be current on www.roninspeedworks.com but we're launching this at $1195. All in, including donor parts $1800 to $2000 is a reasonable budget depending on what you want for a driveshaft.
How much power will it hold? A LOT, but to be fair we don't really know since we haven't broken one yet. One of the early adopters is making 1000 whp in a road race application. No issues thus far.
-Joel
#2
Registered User
Thread Starter
Any rotary folks making enough horsepower to find the limits of the OEM diff?
FWIW we have an FC version of the Explorer 8.8 based on the 2002-2005 Fords too.
FWIW we have an FC version of the Explorer 8.8 based on the 2002-2005 Fords too.
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
If anyone is curious there's a development thread all about this kit and early tester impressions over on the swap forum.
http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=15911.0
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http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=15911.0
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#7
Built not Bought
iTrader: (18)
Got my kit the other day. Top Notch welds are amazing. Axle splines are perfect CV's go in with minimal effort. Hope to test it in about 2 weeks.
I will be going with a brand new Ford Racing 31 spline LSD($250). Cost about the same if you buy a used one ($130) then buy a new carbon clutch pack ($130).
I will be going with a brand new Ford Racing 31 spline LSD($250). Cost about the same if you buy a used one ($130) then buy a new carbon clutch pack ($130).
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#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
We'd be glad to help you. Let us know. Still no issues with our 1000 whp road race tester. At some hp level staying out of wheel hop becomes a critical factor for keeping parts living.
Last edited by Ronin Speedworks; 04-11-14 at 02:02 PM.
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