changing rear axle bolt pattern

[dude772]

i had a brain fart rcently.

I have a rear axle from an F-150(8.8) and the rear axle in a rangers an 8.8. Ive read that the shafts in the explorers are beefier than the ranger.

It all makes me think that the explorer would have shafts the diameter of the 150. Which makes me think, well to change the bolt pattern on the ranger rear axle, why not take the shafts out of the 150 axle cut them down, respline them and slide them into the ranger axle along with any needed bearings and seals, then bolt on the backing plate for the bigger brakes as well...

Is this a possibility or just another dumb-ass brain fart that should be disregarded. Seems like not a whole lot of work compared to what would need to be done to a dana 44 to fit in the front which would cause the bolt pattern difference.

 

[Sol]

I'm not sure if their is a difference between a F-150 and a Explorer 8.8 other then the lenght.
If it were me what I would do instead of cut down the F-150 axles and respline them I would just get a custom set of axles made (only if you need to change the bolt patter). I don't think that custom axles would be that much more to have made up, then shorten and respline a set of axles. Plus the customs ones you can have made beefier.
If you are going to be using the stock bolt pattern then just buy a set of after-market axles from someone like Yukon gear or someone like them. The after-market axles are already the correct length, and stronger then stock (as long as you upgrade) and will slide right in.
But that is just me and my .02 cents.
Good Luck

 

[jonsranger]

just remember if u change the bolt pattern your gonna have to change the brakes too the drum or disc slides on to the studs.

 

[Toreadorranger]

31 spline axles dont fit in the ranger axle.

 

[bandit]

you would have to use the 31 spline diff out of the explorer axle

 

[gw33gp]

You can also use the 31 spline axle out of an 02 FX4 or the later FX4 L2.

 

[Toreadorranger]

31 spline axles dont fit in the ranger axle.

you would have to use the 31 spline diff out of the explorer axle

31 spline shafts WILL NOT fit in a 28 spline ranger housing.

 

[4x4junkie]

31 spline shafts will fit IF they have bearing journals sized specially for a Ranger housing. These are aftermarket-only parts, cut & resplined F-150 shafts, etc. will not fit.

Instead of all this fussing around with axleshafts, why not just have the flange re-drilled for the new pattern?? The flange is JUST big enough to accept a 5.5" bolt circle IF you use thread-in studs (press-in ones will not fit however).
Brake drum? You can hand-drill that yourself... its centered by the center hub of the axle.

 

[dude772]

so there is a differnce in the actual housing of the 8.8 depending on the application?

 

[AllanD]

Yes, the bearing journals on the shafts the bearings themselves and the diameter of the bearing bore in the end of the axle tube are all larger on the 31-spline 8.8" axles

Simply putting larger shafts in isn't possible.

there are aftermarket shafts (Moser?)made with 31-splines at the inboard end but use the smaller 28-spline bearing diameter, however this doen't take advantage of the prime benefit of the 31-spline factory pieces

AD

 

[dude772]

Yes, the bearing journals on the shafts the bearings themselves and the diameter of the bearing bore in the end of the axle tube are all larger on the 31-spline 8.8" axles

So if I use an explorer rear axle, would this be possible? Or i guess the other option could be drilling the flanges for a 5x5.5 pattern and using the brake setup from the f-150?

 

[JohnnyO]

It sounds like it would be a bunch easier just to swap in an Explorer axle. All Explorer 8.8's are 31 spline and the later ones have disc brakes.

 

[dude772]

It sounds like it would be a bunch easier just to swap in an Explorer axle. All Explorer 8.8's are 31 spline and the later ones have disc brakes.

Thats what I mean, swap in the explorer axle then put shortened f-150 shafts in and the 150 brake setup to give me a 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern to match the dana 44 front axle. It works in my head

 

[JohnnyO]

Sorry, I misunderstood.

 

[dude772]

So that should work just nicely then?