8.8 rear axle help please!

[Wingnut]

Ok, I know there’s TONS of info on the 8.8 rear axles but I can’t seem to find what I’m searching for. Here’s my problem….

I have a 2001Ranger extended cab 4.0 that I’ve swapped for an Explorer rear axle. It has 4.10 LS. I want to swap the rear axle again for a wider onewith a WMS of 63”-64”. I have a specific need for the wider width. So, does anyone know of a vehicle that came stock with a 8.8, 31 spline in this width with 4.10 LS, 4x4.5 bolt pattern and disk brakes?

I know it’s a lot to ask and I’ve search a bunch of charts but I haven’t come up with a solution yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Why not just get rims with a different backspacing?

Pretty sure you are looking for something that doesn’t exist. F-150 would have a wider wheel spacing but drum brakes, 5x5.5 bolt pattern and it’s not 31 spline, IIRC. Everything else 8.8” will be narrower.

 

[Wingnut]

I already have custom rims with a deep backspacing. But I still need a 63”-64” width.

 

[901wd#2]

E150 8.8 housing is the widest, Vans always were. Could have the 5 on 4.5 pattern drilled on the flanges. I kinda recall the housing ends being larger on the full-size stuff but I may be confusing it with 9” big bearing vs small bearing.

Another way is to retube (cut & splice) your current axle to use both long side shafts.

I know mustang guys were always swiping the short side axles from rangers to do 5 lug conversions.

do know that a wider rear axle will effect turning radius.

 

[Wingnut]

Yes, I know there are options to ‘build’ an axle. I’m searching for a stock one.

 

[scotts90ranger]

All the car 8.8's were narrow and most 28 spline, the only wide ones are vans and F150's but they're 5 on 5.5, I've heard the explorer backing plates can bolt to the bigger axles and have seen people redrill the axle flanges and just lose the parking brake. I think that's as close as you're going to get.

 

[don4331]

You have a 3rd number you may wish to watch - offset. Stock is 2" toward passenger (Important if using Al driveshaft and skidpad over gas tank)

Your choices: (Data from Dutchman Axles)

Vehicle	Left Axle	Right Axle	Overall	Offset	Pattern	Brake Pilot
'98-05 Ranger (baseline)	30.25	27.25	58.5	2.00	5x4.5	2.775
'95-02 Explorer	30.6875	27.8125	59.5	1.875	5x4.5	2.775
'86-97 Aerostar	32.1875	29.1875	62.375	2.00	5x4.5	2.775
'86-96 F-150	33.1875	31.0625	66.375	1.125	5x5.5	3.415
'99-04 Mustang	30.75	30.75	62.5	-1.00	5x4.5	2.525
'02 Crown Vic	31.625	31.625	64.25	-1.00	5x4.5	2.775
'03+ Crown Vic	34.375	34.375	69.75	-1.00	5x4.5	2.770
'87-06 E150	35.75	32.5	69.25	2.25	5x5.5	3.415

Does that help?

Mustang rear discs could be adapted to most

p.s. Crown Vic axles are widest, although E-150 does have the longest axle...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You have a 3rd number you may wish to watch - offset. Stock is 2" toward passenger (Important if using Al driveshaft and skidpad over gas tank)

Your choices: (Data from Dutchman Axles)

Vehicle	Left Axle	Right Axle	Overall	Offset	Pattern	Brake Pilot
'98-05 Ranger (baseline)	30.25	27.25	58.5	2.00	5x4.5	2.775
'95-02 Explorer	30.6875	27.8125	59.5	1.875	5x4.5	2.775
'86-97 Aerostar	32.1875	29.1875	62.375	2.00	5x4.5	2.775
'86-96 F-150	33.1875	31.0625	66.375	1.125	5x5.5	3.415
'99-04 Mustang	30.75	30.75	62.5	-1.00	5x4.5	2.525
'02 Crown Vic	31.625	31.625	64.25	-1.00	5x4.5	2.775
'03+ Crown Vic	34.375	34.375	69.75	-1.00	5x4.5	2.770
'87-06 E150	35.75	32.5	69.25	2.25	5x5.5	3.415

Does that help?

Mustang rear discs could be adapted to most

p.s. Crown Vic axles are widest, although E-150 does have the longest axle...

Looks from that like Crown Vic would be in line with what he’s after, but I don’t think those were 31 spline? Also the offset could be a problem there…

 

[scotts90ranger]

I had a '91 Lincoln town car for a bit and it was for sure a disc brake 8.8 but it was also 28 spline, I had to put an axle in that guy... Depending on the application that might not be an issue but they're plentiful and cheap...

 

[00t444e]

What you are looking for doesn't exist, Ranger FX4 level 2 and Exploers are the only stock 31 spline 5x4.5 8.8 axles.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I had a '91 Lincoln town car for a bit and it was for sure a disc brake 8.8 but it was also 28 spline, I had to put an axle in that guy... Depending on the application that might not be an issue but they're plentiful and cheap...

Plentiful and has the right wheel bolt pattern once you get past the not being 31 spline thing.

BUT not so cheap after being regeared to 4.10's...

 

[pjtoledo]

What you are looking for doesn't exist, Ranger FX4 level 2 and Exploers are the only stock 31 spline 5x4.5 8.8 axles.

except some F 150s from the early 80s
I thought those 4.5 axles all had 28 splines, but Rock Auto has Dana shafts listed as 31, 5 x 4.5 and 8.8

More Information for DANA 20226021 (rockauto.com)

oddly, that axle shaft has the small 1.4" wheel bearing????