Ford 8.8 Swap

I swapped a full length drum brake 8.8 out of a Mazda Navajo (re-badged explorer) for under $150 total. $90 of that was just for the rear axle.

Unless you are running mini tubs and slicks there is no reason to cut one down, the full length Explorer axle actually puts the rear tires where they should be (on Dusters and Dart Sports at least) not tucked way up in the quarter panels like the Chrysler rear-ends.

For the money I think it would be foolish to swap in anything else. They are strong rear axles, they are plentiful, they are cheap, have extensive aftermarket support, and it may as well be a bolt in swap. Just cut the perches off, move them out, re-weld, put in a u-joint, and go. The parking brake cables swap in without any issue. As slick as mine went in I almost think that it was like it was designed to be mounted in A-body.

Just remember to grab the tie plates and u-bolts off the donor explorer, 7 1/4 tie plates just won't work. I made a set splicing the shock mount off my tie plate to one off a 3/4 ton Chevy truck because I didn't grab the Navajo's.

As for originality, there is no way I would ever keep a 7 1/4, ever. Anything else would ruin the car's "originality" or "factory" appearance, in my opinion swapping in a Dana 60 or a 8 3/4 or 8 1/4 is ruining the cars true originality, so if you're going to cross that border keep on going and get what you want for the price you want.