Explorer ST/Timberline Part Swap

Chrisicle · Nov 29, 2021

I'm curious if I'm the only person that has the urge to do this. A part of me wants to front fascia swap my ST for the timberline front fascia along with other components (Suspension, wheels, Etc.) I think if ford offered the 3.0 with the technology package in the timberline there's no doubt in my mind that I would trade in my ST. I wanna know what other peoples thoughts are on this.

GearHead_1 · Nov 29, 2021

Yeah... well... NO. Only because you asked.

TMac · Nov 29, 2021

There is only one thing I want from the Timberline- the Torsen rear differential.

Cdubya · Nov 30, 2021

I would want the rims for a snow setup. Love those rims.

Chrisicle · Nov 30, 2021

Cdubya said:

I actually love them too, but I dont know if 18" rims will fit over the the brakes on the ST street pack.

bluesnake01 · Nov 30, 2021

Agreed, the Timberline trim is the best looking 6th gen Explorer. The grill itself is much nicer and well the whole front end

I also prefer the looks of the Explorer from China, the grill makes a big difference IMO

Chrisicle · Dec 1, 2021

I do love the timberlines styling, I just prefer the style of a more rugged off roader. My last explorer I took off road frequently but taking the ST off roading is just unsettling to me.

zdubyadubya · Dec 1, 2021

Chrisicle said:

it can easily be done. take a look at @blaster9 's rig. its 100% off-road ready.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 11, 2021

TMac said:

From what I gathered, every 3.0 equipped explorer/aviator gets an 8.8" rear diff, while the 2.3 models get a smaller 8.1" rear diff. And since the timberline has the 2.3, it most likely has the smaller diff. I've been trying to find out if the 8.8 used in the ST has 34 splines like the mustang has because if it does a mustang torsen might work. All S550 mustangs from 2015 and up has an IRS with an 8.8 rear diff and 34 spline axles. The pic below is from my ST. The bottom row denotes the platform, size of rear diff, and the gear ratio. I talked to a guy with a limited and his had an 81 in the middle, and a guy with a platinum had the same as me with 88 in the middle.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 11, 2021

Cdubya said:

If you have the standard 20" wheels on your ST, then you have the same brakes as the timberline and you can use those wheels.

Cdubya · Dec 11, 2021

I Bleed Ford Blue said:

Plenty of 18" rims fit the Street Pack. i would think the Timberline rims would fit. None available on eBay atm though.

TMac · Dec 11, 2021

I Bleed Ford Blue said:

From what I gathered, every 3.0 equipped explorer/aviator gets an 8.8" rear diff, while the 2.3 models get a smaller 8.1" rear diff. And since the timberline has the 2.3, it most likely has the smaller diff. I've been trying to find out if the 8.8 used in the ST has 34 splines like the mustang has because if it does a mustang torsen might work. All S550 mustangs from 2015 and up has an IRS with an 8.8 rear diff and 34 spline axles. The pic below is from my ST. The bottom row denotes the platform, size of rear diff, and the gear ratio. I talked to a guy with a limited and his had an 81 in the middle, and a guy with a platinum had the same as me with 88 in the middle.

Very interesting info, thanks for that! So, it would be pretty easy to find that sticker on a timberline to see if it has the 8.8.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 11, 2021

Look directly under the rear center section, that is where that sticker is. If you look closely at the pic I posted, right above the sticker is a glob of RTV silicone and a machined pad right above that. That machined pad is on the bottom of the rear cover.

jrgoffin · Dec 12, 2021

It’s right there in the Order Guide: 3.58. The smallest diff Torsen makes for Ford is/was 8.8.

Have a T2R in my ‘03 Cobra and it rocks. Would be a great score for the ST.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 12, 2021

The 3.58 is the axle ratio, not the size of the ring gear in the differential. I would have never thought ford would make a smaller differential for the 4 banger explorers, especially since the same 4 banger in the much lighter mustang still gets the 8.8" rear, but they did. Only way to know for sure is look at the diff tag on a timberline. If the bottom row has the 88 in the middle then you can swap it into the ST, but if its an 81, then you're out of luck.

jrgoffin · Dec 12, 2021

I know the difference, hence my comment that Torsen does not make them for Ford smaller than 8.8. If it helps your curiosity, here’s a couple pictures: 8.8. Same size rear sway bar as the ST, and this particular one has the thre-bolt cradle as well.

TMac · Dec 12, 2021

I think the telling point is the 3.58 ratio. While I'm no expert on ring/pinion diffs, there is a definite geometry relating to gear ratios available from different sized ring gears. Since the timberline has the 3.58, I'm making an educated guess it's the 8.8 diff and therefore interchangeable.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 12, 2021

Are those pics from a timberline? If not they are meaningless. Also all the rear sway bars are the same size, so that means nothing either.

jrgoffin · Dec 12, 2021

I Bleed Ford Blue said:

Yes, that is under a Timberline. And no, the rear sway bars are not all the same sizes. The ST/Aviator is 21.7mm, the others are 20mm, and the PD is 23mm.

I Bleed Ford Blue · Dec 12, 2021

That pic of the rear diff has no tag, just because it looks the same, doesn't mean it is the same.

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