Swaping out rear axle and air bags

[Dave Armstrong]

Hi All,

 

I'm leaning to putting my Desoto (Wilma) on air bags. I will be upgrading the braking system to discs. 

Being over here in the UK there is bit of a limit to what you can find. I have read about the rear ends being swapped out for Ford Explorer ones. They appear to have the correct dimensions, ratios, and disc brakes with a wheel located handbrake. I have no intentions of changing the engine or transmission.

 

Has anyone done this, or used this axle. And information that could help me learn and expand my knowledge on this would be great.

 

I would assume that the ford explorer is the same model as the UK ones

 

 

Thanks Dave

[50 coupe]

Yup, used a rear end from a ,'98 explorer with disc brakes. Went in easy, just had to grind off the old spring perchs and welded on new ones in the right location. I incorporated the explorer rear brake lines that were on the rear end. You will have to set the pinion angle when you weld on the perchs. I haven't been able to get the e-brake to work yet but that is more of a 'me' issue at this point. I am using my stock drive shaft at this point. Made my own coupler to bridge the gap to the rear end, just for putting around as I get the car sorted out. One thing to keep in mind is the gear ratio. The one I got is 4.10 which is pretty low for a stock 218. There should be a metal tag on the ford rear end that will tell you the gear ratio. Need to look up the coding but I know the one I got included '410' on it.

[J.R.]

Yup, used a rear end from a ,'98 explorer with disc brakes. Went in easy, just had to grind off the old spring perchs and welded on new ones in the right location. I incorporated the explorer rear brake lines that were on the rear end. You will have to set the pinion angle when you weld on the perchs. I haven't been able to get the e-brake to work yet but that is more of a 'me' issue at this point. I am using my stock drive shaft at this point. Made my own coupler to bridge the gap to the rear end, just for putting around as I get the car sorted out. One thing to keep in mind is the gear ratio. The one I got is 4.10 which is pretty low for a stock 218. There should be a metal tag on the ford rear end that will tell you the gear ratio. Need to look up the coding but I know the one I got included '410' on it.

Any pics of your install? I'm looking for ideas for my 50 Chrysler.

[Labrauer]

I would like to put disc brakes on the 48 Plymouth but I don't know if I want to go and change the complete rear end from a ford or any other different model.