8.8 Carrier compatibilities?

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

So I’m planning on buying a locker and regearing my 91 explorer 8.8 that I just swapped into my 89 Ranger. While searching lockers I see mainly “Mustang 8.8 locker” for 28 or 31 spline shafts. I saw in the tech section that not all 8.8 carriers are interchangeable. The spline count is obvious but what other issues prevent the carriers from being universal?
What is the correct carrier or locker description to buy for an explorer?

 

[dvdswan]

Quick search I found this... Explorer is 31 spline

Do all Ford 8.8 gear sets fit on a 28 or 31 spline carrier? | Ford Explorer - Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations (explorerforum.com)

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Thanks, I knew the explorer 8.8 is 31 spline. I just want to make sure that the carriers aren’t different. I read the later independent suspension 8.8 has a different sized carrier than the solid axle 8.8 but I’m just trying to confirm that a solid axle 8.8 carrier is universal so I don’t have to worry about accidentally ordering the wrong carrier. Also in that thread that you just shared, someone said all 8.8 gears fit the carriers. Is this true? I thought that all carriers were designed for a specific ratio range, for example 4.10 and down or 4.56 and up? What makes the 8.8 different?

 

[dvdswan]

I'm not sure on the 8.8, but the Dana 44 has two different carriers for the gear sets. 3.73 and higher, and 4.10 and lower. So it would not surprise me if the 8.8 had 2 different carriers for gear sets.

When buying new the site should state what gear sets it covers if they do.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I hopped on Summit. Only Auburn states that it accepts all gear ratios. None of the others say anything about gear ratio spreads.

1991 FORD EXPLORER Auburn Gear Inc 542054 Auburn Gear Pro Series Differentials | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Auburn Gear Pro Series Differentials with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Differential Carriers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[snoranger]

What is the correct carrier or locker description to buy for an explorer?

If it say it fits Explorer/F-150/Bronco.... that’s the one.

 

[Dirtman]

If it say it fits Explorer/F-150/Bronco.... that’s the one.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

Lol but I don’t want that one. I was planning on getting a lockright. But that was if I had to buy a new carrier to regear. If I don’t have to buy a new carrier tp regear to 4.56’s. If that’s the case, then I will buy a cheap locker to put in the stock carrier.

 

[scotts90ranger]

There aren't carrier splits in the 8.8" axles.

I had an Aussie locker for years in my Explorer 8.8 with a fair amount of abuse but not too many miles, that eventually gave up so I threw a Yukon Grizzly carrier in it I got off Amazon for fairly reasonable... with the oil leaks and building a shop I haven't had much time to drive it in the last year though... it's been wheeling a few times with good results though.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

So for future reference.
As stated by Scott, the 8.8 carrier doesn’t have a gear ratio split. Any gear ratio can be mounted on the stock carrier.

The HP D35 TTB has a gear ratio split of 3.54. As long as your axle has 3.54’s or numerically larger gears, you can regear up to 6.13 or whatever the “lowest gear ratio” made for them is.

This will save me quite a bit of money. I will be buying gears and lockers for it when my taxes come in.

 

[4x4junkie]

The HP (TTB) D35 does not use the gear split either (unlike a Jeep rear D35), even if it came with 3.27 gears. All HP gears mount on what would be the "3.54 & up" carrier.

5.13 is deepest ratio offered for the HP D35.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

That’s good info, thanks 4x4junkie!