Bulletproof 7.5"

[RollinWOT]

Ok, so basically, like the title says, I want a bulletproof 7.5" axle. I want to know if it's wirth my time to upgrade to hi-strength gears and axle shafts, c-clip eliminators, a locker, and all the stuff needed to make this thing take whatever I can throw at it, or if it's better to just swap in a better axle in the first place. I'm on a super tight student's budget so I'll have to get all the stuff piece by peice and build it. Any suggestions guys?

 

[Surrey]

8.8" Explorer axle. Dont waste your time and money on a 7.5, the parts to make 'em good probably dont even exist. For instance, you can't get a spool or mini spool. (Havn't looked for other crap. can't even spool it, means Im getting rid of it.)

Find someone parting an explorer out on Craigslist and pick up the axle for $100 or so. Junkyards can be a good source too.

 

[bobbywalter]

8.8" Explorer axle. Dont waste your time and money on a 7.5, the parts to make 'em good probably dont even exist. For instance, you can't get a spool or mini spool. (Havn't looked for other crap. can't even spool it, means Im getting rid of it.)

Find someone parting an explorer out on Craigslist and pick up the axle for $100 or so. Junkyards can be a good source too.

x eleventy billion




















if you must do this, truss it......weld or spool it, and put a back brace or "load bolt" cover on it.


you want to minimize case deflection and get rid of those sissy ass spiders

 

[4.0B2]

explorer 8.8, more splines, more metal in the diff, heavier made, disc brake (if right years), truss it, weld up the axles, lock, gear, and so on...

 

[Captain Ledd]

The main issue the 7.5"s have is the spiders (so I'm told). Everything else is fairly good. There's a couple welded 7.5"s around here that have had some abuse, some even behind V8's. I agree on a tougher cover, if you can find one (or maybe even make one, cover's are good places to start fabrication projects).

For a severe duty axle on a students budget, Weld 'er up and flog it, when it breaks toss in an Explorer 8.8".

 

[Surrey]

The Ring gear is another weak point.

 

[4.0B2]

you can get an 8.8 all day long around my part of the country for $100-150 if you go to a you pull it lot... and thats a $100 well spent for strength.

 

[RollinWOT]

Alright, well first off there's some stuff I need to know about the 8.8" Will my 14" wheels with a 5x4.5" bolt pattern bolt on, because if not, thats out. As for locking it, I do need to to be my DD as well as my weekend fun-getter. I would prefer a selectable locker but I suppose a LS would be ok. Also, will the 8.8" bolt up to my stock 4R44E driveshaft? If not, I'm going to have to use the 7.5" I can truss it, I even planned on it, and selectable lockers do exist for it, so if worst comes to worst, I'll just use my 7.5" and build it up from there.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Alright, well first off there's some stuff I need to know about the 8.8" Will my 14" wheels with a 5x4.5" bolt pattern bolt on, because if not, thats out. As for locking it, I do need to to be my DD as well as my weekend fun-getter. I would prefer a selectable locker but I suppose a LS would be ok. Also, will the 8.8" bolt up to my stock 4R44E driveshaft? If not, I'm going to have to use the 7.5" I can truss it, I even planned on it, and selectable lockers do exist for it, so if worst comes to worst, I'll just use my 7.5" and build it up from there.

Alot of that is in the Explorer 8.8" swap Faq in the tech library.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

*edit:
No selectable lockers for the 7.5", you need the 8.8". also, those are $$$. The fancier you want to get with it, the more money you'll spend. Prepare yourself to blow $1400+ on a nicely built 8.8". That'll be brakes, gears, selectable locker, misc parts and bearings all the way around. That's not even with upgraded shafts or other mods.

 

[4.0B2]

but its still a 7.5. i'm not saying don't do it. by all means its your money. but you can polish a turd, its still a turd. i've broke stuff on my 7.5 on 30's... and even if your DS won't bolt up there is an easy fix. i'm on a broke college kid budget to. i know what it feels like. you can over pack the LS for a little better lock. just search it...

i'm broke to. i'm working a job, full time student, and doing side jobs at NIGHT(no, i'm not a hooker! lol) to afford truck parts.

and you can DD on an aussie, i know lots who do. i will be soon. as soon as i get my 8.8 in my b2.

 

[bobbywalter]

eliminate spiders.


number one thing is the spiders have to go.


if your going to be jumping it....start with the sploder axle.

 

[RollinWOT]

Just light offroad like easy hillclimbs, no jumping, light rockcrawling no hard stuff. And excuse me, I meant automatic locker, like a Detroit or Powertrax. I don't need fancy brakes, just some regular drums will do fine. I basically want something that will get me through the sh!tand back home, know what I mean?

 

[Andres629]

8.8, 8.8, 8.8, do it. You get ya a drum brake 8.8 and you can run 14's on it. I mean, you CAN make a 7.5 better... but why? Put the same money into an 8.8 and it'll run 38's all day everyday. To me that just makes sense...

 

[bobbywalter]

drop in locker and fab up a light truss and you should be ok with light 33's and the 3.0


you swap some more motor or a power adder get a bigger axle.

 

[4.0B2]

there's a reason even jeepers use the 8.8's.. its the CHEAPEST upgrade they ever see
J-ust
E-mpty
E-very
P-ocket

jeep crap cost way to much.. anyways back to the 8.8, its your best option. trust me-- why else would almost everyone be doing the 7.5 to 8.8 swap. a lot of people are doing budget builds and that's one of the first things they do!