8.8 time!

[99_3.0]

I'm going to go look at an 8.8 out of a ranger at a pull yard tomorrow. It has 4.10 gears and a limited slip. I don't know what year it is or how many miles are on it. I'm replacing my 7.5 with this 8.8 on Friday, hopefully. I'll be pulling the diff. cover and checking the fluid for metal shavings and stuff before I put it in. Is there anything that I should keep my eyes out for? Hopefully it's out of an Fx4 level 2 .

 

[99_3.0]

Will the u-bolts and spring plates work from the 7.5 to the 8.8?

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

yes...but not if the axle is what you want it to be, off a LII.

 

[99_3.0]

Thanks for your help Fx4!

 

[99_3.0]

Went to the yard today, the 8.8 that they showed me had the code 97... open 8.8! If I wanted an open diff I'd just stay with what I got, but they have one still in a Ranger with code R7, which is what I'm looking for. Not sure yet if its out of an Fx4, either way it will be better. Getting the spring plates and u-bolts just incase it is. Anything else that I am overlooking?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

31 spline 8.8's have 3.25" axle tubes, the smaller ones have 3". Just measure the distance beween the two threaded studs on a U bolt.

 

[Downey]

buy new ubolts it will make you feel better than using old ones that are stretched out and worn out. spend the money on new ones i feel so much better now that i have new ones

 

[99_3.0]

Alright i'll make sure to see. Thanks for your help!

 

[atvkid4eva]

if you get an 8.8 from an explorer the spring perches are on the botton of the axle and need to be cut and re welded for spring over ranger leafs...if its from a ranger than the perches will be in the right location...try and get one from a ranger to make it easier on you.

 

[99_3.0]

New developments- It's out of a 2002 Mazda B4000. 4L10 gear ratio, 10 inch drum brakes. I'm assuming that this would be the run of the mill 8.8 with 28 spline axles (aka NON Fx4 L2)?

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

correct.

 

[99_3.0]

Alright that's kind of what I was expecting. Still going to be one heck of an upgrade I think. Picking it up within the hour. It'll be treated to new diff fluid and a couple hefty coatings of undercoating. 2 tire fire here we come!

Thanks for all your help Fx4, much appreciated!

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

yup! no prob.

Don't forget a tube of friction modifier for the LS when you put in your new fluid. The modifier goes in BEFORE the oil goes in.

Don't be disappointed if you don't get 2 tire fire all the time, you do have a 3.0. lol! No but seriously, just installed a 20,000 mile used 8.8LS axle into my little brothers truck. And it only sometimes 2 tire fires.

 

[99_3.0]

Yeah I can get the other side to break loose very easy with the brakes, effortless. But on a side note, the new u-bolts measure 4 inches outside to outside on the threaded end. Near 3 to 3.25 at the bottom. All 4 of these u-bolts are like this and were just taken off today. Did I get lucky with the 31 spline axles?