2001 Ford Explorer Replacing rear end

CRASH105

MEMBER
2001 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
18,500 MILES

I have 2001 Ford Explorer XLT and the differential ate some gears ( I can hear them banging around). I want to replace the whole rear end. If I find the right gearing and size rear end does the model year that it came off of matter. My rear end tag reads 4L10 88 OK09 and model # S615E. Will the rear end from a 1996 Eddie Bauer (4L10 88.) Fit my truck?

Thanks,
Dave

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,244 POSTS

We always recommend staying with a direct fit part. If the gearing on the new one is the same (MUST BE WITH 4wd) and it looks the same in all ways, including breather, ABS sensor locations. It should work. But be prepared. There always seems to be something different.

Let me know how you make out with this.

Joe

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Friday, February 5th, 2010 AT 1:39 PM

CRASH105

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Joe,
Thanks, the rear end from the 1986 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L v-6 4WD fit my 2001 XLT 4.6L v-6 4WD Explorer. Both rear ends were 4L10 88 and the only difference was that the older rear end had a large "weight" bolted to the differential whereas my truck has a small shock bolted to that spot. The bolt patterns were the same so I had no trouble connecting the shock.
I was extremely lucky that the rear end I bought seemed to have new gears in the differential (at least they looked new when popped the cover off) and the disk brake pads were brand new. The only hassle was that the emergency brake shoes were shot so I had to remove the ones from my damaged rear end and put them on my replacement. And that was a real?*%#* (Use your own expletive).

This page has some good pictures and instructions for anyone trying this themselves for the first time.

Thanks again,
Dave

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Friday, February 26th, 2010 AT 11:32 AM