8.8 axle question

[Toms01PSD]

I've got my 8.8 and what not but now I have a question about the axles. I've seen some posts saying that the 7.5 axles also work because they are the same axles. If anyone can clarify that I will be keeping them as spares. Next question is this: Will the 31 spline 8.8 axle shafts work in the rear end even though it came with 28 spline axle shafts? It may seem like a dumb question but I haven't seen anyone ask the same question.

 

[WNY964x4]

i dont believe the will , i believe the 31 spline axles actually have a large axle tube and that the 31 spline shafts are larger , not to mention the number of splines in your carrier would not match those of your shafts

 

[Toms01PSD]

I didn't even think about that. Good point. What if I got the Locker for the 31 spline axles? Or would that make a difference?

 

[WNY964x4]

i think you would still run into the problem of the shaft diameter , maybe not

 

[WNY964x4]

frome the announcement at the top of the page

Is my rear 8.8" axle 28 or 31 spline?
Check the diameter of your axle tube next to where the leaf spring perch is welded:
2.75" = 28 spline
3.25" = 31 spline

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Even if it were possible(which it really isn't), you'd be forced to run the Fx4 31spline axle shafts because the Explorer shafts are longer, and if you run explorer shafts, you'd need to do something about the brakes because they won't work right with the longer shafts.

 

[RangerSVT]

31 spline shafts are a larger diameter axle than the 28 spline, meaning the bearings are bigger, also meaning the axle housing (tubes) need to be larger. You might get a 31 spline locker in the diff, but unless you re-tube it, it won't do you any good, your best bet is to run an explorer axle, as they are plentiul and reasonibly priced, compared to an FX4 axle...
SVT

 

[Toms01PSD]

Damn. Oh well I suppose it doesn't matter if I can keep the 7.5 axles as spares and run those in too. I just paid $266 for this 8.8, I have no plans to get another for a long time!
Thanks for all the replies so fast guys!

 

[TheNicky]

Dang! $266

I scored on a 8.8 last night...
Ordered it like a pizza lol dude dropped it off at 9pm
With tires,rims,shackles,leafs,driveshaft all for $100 haha

Theres a pic in my build thread...

 

[Toms01PSD]

Dang! $266

I scored on a 8.8 last night...
Ordered it like a pizza lol dude dropped it off at 9pm
With tires,rims,shackles,leafs,driveshaft all for $100 haha

Theres a pic in my build thread...

Lucky you. All I got was the rearend. From drum brake to drum brake. Nothing else. No leafs, nothing! The shitty thing is it's the cheapest one I could find.

 

[TheNicky]

I know i scored big... the good thing is you have an 8.8 though regardless...

I happened to run across a guy on craigs parting it out... and he told me 80 bucks but my truck was down so i said bring it to me for 100 haha...

funny thing was i only started looking yesterday for 8.8's lol eithe ri have a bunch here or i got SUPER lucky

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Damn. Oh well I suppose it doesn't matter if I can keep the 7.5 axles as spares and run those in too. I just paid $266 for this 8.8, I have no plans to get another for a long time!
Thanks for all the replies so fast guys!

The 28 spline 8.8 uses the same shafts as a 7.5 (of same width) so they are worth hanging onto for spares.

Dang! $266

I scored on a 8.8 last night...
Ordered it like a pizza lol dude dropped it off at 9pm
With tires,rims,shackles,leafs,driveshaft all for $100 haha

Theres a pic in my build thread...

Dang, I thought I did good for $100 for just the axle and springs... but I had to pull myself it in a garage without doors or power in January. I would have grabbed the swaybar too, but the thing was stuck on there pretty good, it was frickin cold and I wasn't in the best part of Omaha...

 

[TheNicky]

Haha yea... he wanted to pull it... lol i wasnt gonna argue with that haha...

Sorry to thread jack OP... seems you got your question answered already... right?

but yea i got this last night... and saw only 1 massive leaf lol just 1? is that right?
i cant use that huh?

 

[WNY964x4]

Haha yea... he wanted to pull it... lol i wasnt gonna argue with that haha...

Sorry to thread jack OP... seems you got your question answered already... right?

but yea i got this last night... and saw only 1 massive leaf lol just 1? is that right?
i cant use that huh?

it sounds like it came from an explorer sport , newer than 95

and i paid $300 for my "rebuilt" 8.8 L/S that supposedly had the same gears as my truck , it didnt have a cover or any brakes on it ( it came with all new shoes and hardware , no backing plates ) and i think the OP knows what happened to that axle

 

[TheNicky]

It was off a 99 explorer...

haha i even have tires and rims...
he gave it all to me... SOOO COOOL!