EB 9" vs Explorer 8.8"

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Which is a better axle? The EB BB 9" or the 31spl Exploder 8.8? My truck will be on 36"s or 37"s. And the axle will be geared 5.13:1 with a Detroit. The truck will see lots of rocks, not so much mud, and lots of just average trails.

Which of these will hold up better? I've found that the parts availibility is out there for both axles. The Exploder axle would need adapter spacers. Rear disc isn't that important to me as I like drums in the rear. And knowing whats involved with both axles, I can't decided on which one. I have a buddy who works at a local salvage yard, he has both axles set aside for me. Which one do I buy???

I need all the pros and cons of both axles. Input from those who have these axles would be great too. Which would you use?

 

[engdept]

The 31 spline 8.8 axles are stronger than a 9" if both axles are in stock form. If you wanted to put in a nodular center section in the 9", then the 9" would be better.

 

[metalmacguyver]

The weak point on the 8.8 is the carrier. Once you put a detroit in there, you will have a very strong axle for less than you would spend on the 9".

 

[mhughes165]

The 31 spline 8.8 axles are stronger than a 9" if both axles are in stock form. If you wanted to put in a nodular center section in the 9", then the 9" would be better.

the 31 spline 8.8 is NOT stronger the a 31spline big bearing 9", they might be CLOSE in strength, but remember the upgradability in the 9" and with the 9" you run a superior design with a fixed yoke and full u joint u bolts, versus a flange

also, since he set them aside for u u could get them both for probably the same price, and i know where theres a spare set of shafts for said axle aswell.....


I run a 9" big bearing, 31 spline, this axle has been through the ringer and it just smiles at ya and keeps on going, this rear was under a truck on 40's that was wheeled religously EVERY SINGLE DAY in a attempt to kill the truck. also, the removeable third memeber makes it WORLDS simpler if u want to chaange your gears

now i wonder how long it will take maurice to come on here and start yellin that im wrong blah blah blah, and not back it up

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would opt for the 'Sploder 8.8. They are stupid common everywere if you ever break anything. Dead or dying Explorer's are everywhere and won't be in short supply for many years, I grabbed mine dirt cheap ($100 for one out of a '96 w/ springs) out of one with a blown engine in the guys garage.

If you don't want disc brakes look for a 91-94 Explorer 8.8, they have drums.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

the 31 spline 8.8 is NOT stronger the a 31spline big bearing 9", they might be CLOSE in strength, but remember the upgradability in the 9" and with the 9" you run a superior design with a fixed yoke and full u joint u bolts, versus a flange

also, since he set them aside for u u could get them both for probably the same price, and i know where theres a spare set of shafts for said axle aswell.....


I run a 9" big bearing, 31 spline, this axle has been through the ringer and it just smiles at ya and keeps on going, this rear was under a truck on 40's that was wheeled religously EVERY SINGLE DAY in a attempt to kill the truck. also, the removeable third memeber makes it WORLDS simpler if u want to chaange your gears

now i wonder how long it will take maurice to come on here and start yellin that im wrong blah blah blah, and not back it up

He's talking about the 28 spline 9" out of the EB tho, 8.8 wins hands down in that case.

 

[engdept]

He's talking about the 28 spline 9" out of the EB tho, 8.8 wins hands down in that case.

True that.

 

[Evan]

with the 9" you run a superior design with a fixed yoke and full u joint u bolts, versus a flange

I have never seen or heard of a failure with an 8.8 flange. There are four 1/2" dia. grade 8 bolts holding the driveshaft flange to the fixed input flange on the 8.8. It would take many thousands of ft. lbs. of torque for this setup to fail...you'd twist the driveshaft or blow out a u-joint first.

Both diffs are fixed input, I see no real advantage to a yoke and u-bolts compared to a beefy flange.

 

[mhughes165]

you all do realize that there was a big bearing 28 spline and a big bearing 31 spline right?? the 31 spline only came in the 76 and 77 bronco's... i know because i had one before i upgraded to the 35spline axles, i still have the old shafts i might sell for the right price

 

[mhughes165]

I have never seen or heard of a failure with an 8.8 flange. There are four 1/2" dia. grade 8 bolts holding the driveshaft flange to the fixed input flange on the 8.8. It would take many thousands of ft. lbs. of torque for this setup to fail...you'd twist the driveshaft or blow out a u-joint first.

Both diffs are fixed input, I see no real advantage to a yoke and u-bolts compared to a beefy flange.

i have seen countless failures when a nick occurs to the flange, it will put the entire rotating assembly off balance, by running a yoke on the shaft you decrease the size of the rotating mass, along with the likelyhood of damage occuring to it

 

[Toreadorranger]

you all do realize that there was a big bearing 28 spline and a big bearing 31 spline right?? the 31 spline only came in the 76 and 77 bronco's... i know because i had one before i upgraded to the 35spline axles, i still have the old shafts i might sell for the right price

Im pretty sure there was never a EB with 31 spline as I own a 77 Big bearing 9" from a EB and I had to upgrade to 31 spline shafts using a fullsize 3rd.

 

[Will]

I like being able to pull the pan off and look in there once in a while. The drop out center section is nice in theory, but not for maintenance.

 

[mhughes165]

Im pretty sure there was never a EB with 31 spline as I own a 77 Big bearing 9" from a EB and I had to upgrade to 31 spline shafts using a fullsize 3rd.

they werent the most common but they did exist

 

[engdept]

I like being able to pull the pan off and look in there once in a while. The drop out center section is nice in theory, but not for maintenance.

True!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

i have seen countless failures when a nick occurs to the flange, it will put the entire rotating assembly off balance, by running a yoke on the shaft you decrease the size of the rotating mass, along with the likelyhood of damage occuring to it

That seems pretty far fetched, I've seem more wrecked yokes that I have every seem destroyed flanges. I doubt a nicked flange would put anything off balance, mine is full of scars from rocks and it doesn't vibrate, nor failed in 4 years of wheeling. A flange is smooth all the way around so it will just kind of roll pas a rock or whatever it lands on, a yoke will beat itself on the same rock. Both have pros and con's but I don't see the yoke being a weak part.

Im pretty sure there was never a EB with 31 spline as I own a 77 Big bearing 9" from a EB and I had to upgrade to 31 spline shafts using a fullsize 3rd.

Ditto, I've seen big bearing EB 9"ers, never every seen one with 31 spline axles.

I like being able to pull the pan off and look in there once in a while. The drop out center section is nice in theory, but not for maintenance.

I've got a 9" in my mustang, and yup that is a pain in the ass. Makes changing the diff fluid or even just doing a simple inspection much more of a pin in the ass.


In the end if its a 28 spline EB 9" without a nodular center, the 31 spline 8.8 has it beat 3 ways from Sunday.