I am unsure of the Explorer, but the Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car from early 90's ('92?) and on had the 8.8 differential axle which included disc brakes with an integral drum brake for parking brake. Very few of these cars came with the Traction Lock, the exception is the "L" model Lincoln Town Car which had Traction Lock standard and used 31 spline axles (28 spline was standard in other models until about 2006 when they all changed to 31 spline. The rear axle changed in 1998 to incorporate additional parallel bars and a watts linkage. Springs were either coil or air.
So I think the 97-99 Explorer would have disc brakes but not likely Traction Lock. The axle may have leaf springs instead of the more sophisticated car suspension. Traction Lock is readily available for about $250, but you need to know the # of splines on the axle drive shafts.
Hope this helps.
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Art
2000 Taurus SEL Wagon 3.0 Vulcan (daily driver)
1993 Taurus GL Wagon 3.8 Essex
1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 5.0
1986 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup 4x4 350 with turbo400 and 208 transfer case
1978 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup 4x4 custom 6.2 na diesel with turbo400 and 203 transfer case
Planning 2008 Taurus X in a year
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Explorer/Mountaineer 8.8 rearend question... 
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