You are looking for a 96 - 2000 (or maybe 99)  Explorer rear end.  The tag on the axle will tell you the ratio and if it has and "L" with the ratio number it's a "LImited Slip".  3.73L is not uncommon but they also used 3.55 and 3.27.  I assume you are going to run some sort of OD.  That will make the car very  highway friendly.  If you don't run an OD, 3.00 gears are easily had for the 8.8...got a set myself.

Don't be surprised if the one you find has been dragged through the mud and has bad rotors and needs body work on the  brake splash shields,  both of mine had that problem....bone yards, what can I say?

I believe you may be able to get one in the 68 without narrowing it.  I do believe you'll need to choose the right wheels  to do that but you're going to go to different wheels anyway, others will have the final word, no doubt. 

If you decide to narrow one there is  a link I posted on the old forum that is very good.  Don't have time to find it right now but I'll bet you can.

If all else fails shoot me an email and I'll get the link  for you...or  use Google.  Lots of info out there.

Good luck,

BB

Last edited by Bullet Bob (8/14/2013 5:32 AM)

This;

Explorer 8.8 Measurements:
Weight (complete assembly w/ brakes etc.): 174 lb.
O.D. of tubes: 3.250".
Tube thickness: .250" (some are .188”!)
Ring gear diameter: 8.800".
Ring gear bolts: 7/16" dia. (qty. 10).
Pinion diameter/splines: 1.625 / 30.
Axle shaft/splines: 1.320 / 31.
Rotor thickness (where it mounts to axle is .250").
Overall width 59.625" (the F8.8 is .950" narrower then a TJ Dana 35).
(The F-150 8.8 is drum brake and width WMS to WMS is 65.5”.)
Hole diameter for ABS sensor in top of housing: .811".
Bolt size (U-joint flange to yoke) is: 12 x 1.75 x 30 mm
Centerline of housing to C/L of pinion difference is 3.875" toward the P/S.
Pinion offset: P/S to C/L of Pinion, 27-3/4" (no rotor on axle), D/S to C/L of Pinion, 31-5/8" (no rotor on axle). (this measurement is 2.5" more offset to the P/S then a TJ Dana 35).

Specs:
Code Capacity Ratio
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73
L - Limited Slip Differential
C - Conventional Differential

How many splines are the axle shafts?
drivers side is 31 spline for 97 & up Mountaineer, 95 & up Explorer, 30-1/2 inch length - 5 X 4.5 inch lug pattern.

passenger side is 31 spline for 97 & up Mountaineer, 95 & up Explorer, 27-5/8 inch length - 5 X 4.5 inch lug pattern

Can I get 35 spline shafts?
Yes, with a little searching I found 28 and 33 splines too. Remeber 8.8 axles are used on many different Ford rigs. Mustangs, Rangers, F150s, Aerostar etc... different axle lengths than the Explorer so if you are looking for aftermarket products make sure you are not looking at something for a Mustang that might not fit an Explorer.

demano wrote:

thanks for the info from everyone i didn't know about the old forum before and did find now, any recomendation for rear end gears, my 68 has a 351w, trick flow twisted wedge heads, a single plane offenhauser intake,electronic ignition,crane cam 292 duration and 502 lift, holley 650, and a 4 speed toploader wide ratio, thanks again

Gear recomendation?  Well,  what are you planning to do with the car.  Lots of highway work with the top loader and you'll prolly want 3.08 until you get sick  of it and swap out the top loader for a T5 (Z preferably).  Then you'll want to swap the gears to a 3.27, 3.55 or 3.73.

Racer?  Probably the 3.73 or 4.10.

Friday night cruiser?   3.27 or 3.55 or 3.73.  That way when you take it on the road to a couple of distant shows...and get sick of it, you'll already have some nice gears in there to compliment the T5Z that you install next winter.

JMO,

BB

Also search on this and the old forum using the term 'Exploder' - some of the wiseacres here who have lots of useful info to share on the subject like to use this term to describe the rear-end in question.

Jeremy, with the rearend offset did you have any trouble with the DS hitting the floorpan?