I have the Ford 8.8 28 spline LS, worth upgrading to 31 spline?

[nooch450]

I have the stock Ford 8.8 28 Spline LS rear in my truck, I want to run 4.56 and an Auburn Electric Locker... It it worth putting into this axle or should i try to find a 31 Spline Axle?

Id rather reuse mine unless there is a good reason somebody wants to talk me out of building the guts of the 28 spline with a locker n gears...

Basically, is it worth finding a new axle (31 spline)? Or is mine strong enough...

 

[cdawall]

The auburn is a pile of ****ing dogshit. I wouldn't build a 28 spline it has same bearing and shafts as the 7.5"

 

[escort_gts]

It all depends on what you will be doing with your truck. Hard core wheeling, then I would upgrade to a 31 spline or bigger. If just normal driving and some wheeling then the 28 will be fine. I have the 28 spline with a lock-rite and no problems yet. But mine is a daily driver with some weekend wheeling. Nothing hardcore.

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[RangerSVT]

I had a locked 28 Spline, less than 2 weeks later I broke a shaft doing a doughnut...

SVT

 

[cdawall]

Either way you go the auburn is still garbage. I would rather have an open than use that POS.

 

[nooch450]

OK it looks like the 31 spline upgrade is nessasary... Im guna be rough on it... I chose that locker for the price and the fact that it has limited slip while dissengaged. What lockers are best for price, NO AUTO, i just dont like the idea...

I heard 95 and up explorer is best...I can get an Explorer 8.8 31 spline for a junk yard for $300, they will pull it. Does that price sound high?

 

[escort_gts]

I can pull one here for $100. I'd be leery of someone else putting it in though. Especially from a junk yard.

But yes, 95+ expo axle. They come with disc brakes.

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[escort_gts]

I suggest an ARB air locker. Price is kinda high but well worth it.

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[cdawall]

OK it looks like the 31 spline upgrade is nessasary... Im guna be rough on it... I chose that locker for the price and the fact that it has limited slip while dissengaged. What lockers are best for price, NO AUTO, i just dont like the idea...

I heard 95 and up explorer is best...I can get an Explorer 8.8 31 spline for a junk yard for $300, they will pull it. Does that price sound high?

There is a reason that the Auborn is cheaper. You will be replacing that locker if you want something that actually locks up with a wheel in the air. I have wheeled with plenty of Jeeps running those POS's and every single one of them does not lock up anymore. Do your self a favor and pay for the quality of a real locker. Eaton E-Locker, Yukon Zip locker or ARB if you want a selectable. Otherwise a Detroit, grizzly something along those lines will work. There is nothing wrong with auto lockers a lot of people run them with tons less issues than that shit auborn.

I can pull expo rears for $100 as well $300 is a lot.

 

[RangerSVT]

I can probably ship you an ex 8.8 for less than 300, that includes the price if the axle...where you located?

SVT

 

[Vexy]

I bought a 31 spline 8.8 from a 1996 explorer for $200. It has stronger axle shafts and disk brakes. If you find a good deal on one I would go for it. This way you can set up the gears while still keeping your truck on the road. Good luck man!

 

[nooch450]

Im in new jersey...

Thanks for the help guys, the yards around here give $300-$400 for a scrap car / truck. Than the J/O wana sell me just the rear for $300!

 

[kryptonitecb]

Do some shopping before you buy one for $300. I know 2 jy across the street from each other. One tried to sell a friend of mine a 14 bolt for $500, the other one is $50 any axle you pull it.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[nooch450]

IM deff guna need to do some shopping around...

 

[4x4junkie]

I agree about the Auburn, I've seen those things in action several times myself.
In spite of marketing claims saying otherwise, the ECTED is NOT a locker at all (there are no locking pins, splined engagement gear or anything of the sort inside it). It's a limited slip diff that simply tightens up it's clutches when you "engage" it. Even when brand new they don't "lock up" well.

If you want a locker, the ARB or Yukon ZIP is what you're after.