Ya, 03 is still second gen. 04 or 05 is the third gen start.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Warford

I appreciate the input, but I'm not running spacers, or "upgrading" to bigger rims. Lol it was hard enough finding the rims I have now. And by the time I'd buy 4 new rims and 4 new tires then I could do a disc conversion and sure grip conversion to my current 8.25.

I hear ya!! For me, I already had the 8.8. Spacers are not a problem considering the explorer rear is 2.5 in narrow compared to the 8.25. My 8.25 has, I believe, a bad wheel bearing, posi is wore out, and backing plates are rusted.
If you do try the 9.25, here is a link to some shock mounts that I believe will work. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weld-on-Shoc...1WCwAP&vxp=mtr

 

Good news! (Tried posting this last night but phone said f u)

I contacted a friend last night telling him what may be going on. And he told me he had done this quite a few years ago from an 04.

Anyways, he said he didn't do anything special for the brakes. Just hooked up the factory lines and he has never had any lock up issues in the last 5 years.

He also said one shock mount was on the wrong side as we know, but he said he just hooked the shock up the the normal 9.25 shock mounts and its been great.

But he made a customers drive shaft. Which I may not need to. That's 50/50.

So if this does happen I may try putting it under my truck and go from there.

 

Good stuff, keep updated. I wouldn't just be worried about lockup but just brake bias in general; for the few times I tow I'd want to make sure the rears do their fair share and to have the hydraulics set up properly, because the front brakes on these things can use all the help they can get...not power wise, but just heat wise with extended braking.

 

I see your point, but in my situation anything in the back is better then i have now basically. Lol. But the brakes still do there job very well.

 

Did you happen to check/compare the axle yokes on both rears? Not sure but the 9.25 may have a larger u joint. You can also see if the 9.25 u joint position is more forward than the 8.25 by measuring the distance from the centering hole on the spring perch to the center of the u joint. I would think the 9.25 may be more forward so you would have to shorten your drive shaft. If the yoke is different you will need to match that on the new drive shaft.

 

If I knew this would I be here asking questions?

I do know the u joint is the same part number for my 96 8.25 vs 03 9.25 but that doesn't do anything for length. I won't even be able to see the axle till tomorrow to see if my 15's will fit. Its 50/50 if they will or not.

 

Well, I got the rear end. And I can confirm that at least sine 15" aftermarket wheels will fit on an 03 rear end with disc brakes. However, I will need to do something with the driveshaft since they changed the axle side. Will update when I get working on.

Also, I did open the diff cover before I confirmed the trade and it looks as good as new. Literally like it was just put in today.

 

That's all good to hear. If you need conversion U-Joints I recommend Denny's Driveshaft >>> http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/c130...oints_all.html

Good luck.

 

Preciate the link. What I'm *hoping* to do is just swap the end on the axle side of my current driveshaft and be good. I think they have the sane tcase.