Towing with a 7.5 vs 8.8

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Again not an RBV, but I used to tow cars and trucks all the time with my old S10 Blazer with a 7.5 rear and never had a problem. 2 different 4x4 S10s 70 miles each, an AMC Eagle 4x4 Wagon around 300 miles, a Merkur around 250 miles, a 4x4 Isuzu Pup 100 miles.....etc The 2.8 on the other hand spun a bearing at 108k.

 

[racsan]

i towed alot of stuff with my '88 that had the 7.5, no issues. my '93 has a 8.8, but its my understanding that ti has the same bearings & seals as the 7.5, just a bigger carrier, different drums, gearset & different rear cover. but if its true that my 28 spline 8.8 has the same axle bearings as a 7.5, then its really a pretty tough axle. ive pulled my big box trailer several times loaded down to its limits, never had a issue with it either.

 

[shane96ranger]

i towed alot of stuff with my '88 that had the 7.5, no issues. my '93 has a 8.8, but its my understanding that ti has the same bearings & seals as the 7.5, just a bigger carrier, different drums, gearset & different rear cover. but if its true that my 28 spline 8.8 has the same axle bearings as a 7.5, then its really a pretty tough axle. ive pulled my big box trailer several times loaded down to its limits, never had a issue with it either.

IIRC, the axle shafts themselves are the same as well.

 

[kryptonitecb]

IIRC, the axle shafts themselves are the same as well.

If I wasn't on my phone I'd check the tech library to confirm that. I'm pretty sure the 8.8 has bigger shafts.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[Captain Ledd]

If I wasn't on my phone I'd check the tech library to confirm that. I'm pretty sure the 8.8 has bigger shafts.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

Ranger 8.8's have the same shafts at the 7.5".

Explorer 8.8's and 8.8's under full size trucks have the larger shafts.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I gave the 7.5" rear that came in my Ranger a good workout, I wouldn't be worried about how well it will hold up in the BII, the only thing I would look to do would be to convert to the 10" drums instead of the little 9" ones. My Ranger was supposedly the heavier GVWR rating for Rangers and the 7.5" rear had 10" drums, so they are out there.

I had over a ton of weight in the bed several times. Hauled an enclosed motorcycle trailer probably a dozen times (and I mean I took the trailer 200+ miles at a time). Pulled a jackhammer compressor several times. Put my 88 BII on a tow dolly and towed it over 700 miles. Put my choptop on a tow dolly and towed it over 400 miles. Towed my choptop twice on a tow bar behind it for ~150 miles each time. Often had the bed loaded down with something or other. I still have the axle but I got tired of the one-wheel-peel when I needed both digging, so I swapped in an 8.8" rear that had a limited slip, or the 7.5 would still be under it (although my F-150 has taken over towing/hauling duties).

Bear in mind that with this shot I had my custom upgraded spring packs which when empty had the back sitting a good 2" higher than the front. They were 5-leaf packs, just to give you an idea of how much weight is in there...

Better shot of the bed....

 

[cdawall]

IIRC, the axle shafts themselves are the same as well.

They are the same size and spline however the 28 spline 8.8" shafts use a higher grade steel.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They are the same size and spline however the 28 spline 8.8" shafts use a higher grade steel.

By chance do you know what the grades are?

I would really love to know how Ford justified all this "same but different" hybrid crap.

 

[cdawall]

By chance do you know what the grades are?

I would really love to know how Ford justified all this "same but different" hybrid crap.

I want to say 1041 steel on the 8.8" shafts vs whatever is normal. I had it posted somewhere but can't find it now.

 

[adsm08]

I want to say 1041 steel on the 8.8" shafts vs whatever is normal. I had it posted somewhere but can't find it now.

But wouldn't that make the upgrade as simple as installing 8.8 shafts in the 7.5 axle? Since all else seems to be the same.

 

[cdawall]

But wouldn't that make the upgrade as simple as installing 8.8 shafts in the 7.5 axle? Since all else seems to be the same.

Yup minus the ring gear/pinion/carrier difference. There is a possibility of length difference on the shafts.

 

[adsm08]

I happen to have a 7.5 and a 28-spline 8.8 in the garage. I think this is worth trying.

 

[Hagan]

If this in the trailer I would ditch the 7.5 in a hearbeat for something with electric brakes.

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

Because unlike most that only venture to the dump twice a year this one sounds like it is due from some more serious road time... and you take a bunch of moving parts out of the mix.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Why would you possibly need electric brakes for a truck bed trailer?

So that you can actually stop when (not if, but when) some moron pulls out right in front of you and doesn't get out of the way fast enough.