Thread: Has anyone upgraded a gm 7.5 and lived to tell about?

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Originally Posted by RUSSW

Located explorer 8.8 rear end with posi & 3.73 for $100. Been looking up install swaps online, but can't seem to get a clear picture on what needs to be done. Some say u can't weld the control arm brackets to the top of diff and the housing needs to be cut and centered. Does anyone offer a bolt in housing so I can hopefully just switch all the internals and just bolt it in. And the parking brake problem since this is a disc rear.

You could try Strange Engineering or Mark Williams but a housing will cost $$$ you.
Russ like Matt says you can get brackets made to weld on the tubes instead of the housing and use the right side axle on the left to shorten the tube. (if it is needed, the Explorer tread width is a bit smaller than the Cutlass?) The emergency brake cables need to be adapted to your cables by making some connectors. This is not a bolt in by any means, you'll need a bit of fabricating experience but is not that difficult to learn if you can find someone to help who has done this sort of thing before. Try a local hot rod or 4 wheeler club, these guys live to do this type of swap.

Thanks again for everyone's input. I think I have found a company that sells 8.8 housing and axle package's for g body cars, stock 7.5 brake components can be used, only things needed would be upper control brackets( they sell separately ) and either a different u joint or yolk,or maybe both. I e mailed them, no response yet. Guess I will have to do it the old fashion way and call them. Thanks again for the help. I kinda feel like I am wasting peoples time with this since I am still short on funds. Just tryin to get my ducks in a row, before I buy the explorer rear end.