Frankenstien Ranger/Explorer 8.8 Questions

[mwood1985]

i was wondering if you could put explorer 31 spline limited slip carriers and axles in a Ranger axle housing and get the same effect of the Explorer 8.8 swap without having to set pinion angles an relocate shock mounts

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'm not sure if the 28 spline spiders would swap. But for that matter, you'd have a 28 spline carrier that would fit nicely. Though without the larger 31 spline shafts.

The explorer axles are just a hair wider that the Rangers, and won't fit.

Compared to regearing an axle, I always felt that relocating axle mounts are the easy part.

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

No. both inside and outside bearing sizes are different.

 

[mwood1985]

its always harder than it looks lol. any ideas on where to get new shock mounts? i can orger spring pads from 4wheelparts for like 20 bucks

 

[Hahnsb2]

I was cheap and just cut off my old 7.5 shock mounts and reused them...

And this get's asked all the time. It's certainly feasible to make a 28 spline 8.8 into a 31 spline, it's just going to take more work, more money and some custom parts to make it happen, compared to some minor welding...

 

[mwood1985]

what about using FX4 31 spline shafts and a detroit designed for a Explorer 31 spline? the wheelbearings still different?

 

[Captain Ledd]

what about using FX4 31 spline shafts and a detroit designed for a Explorer 31 spline? the wheelbearings still different?

Yes, 31 spline axles use the 31 spline axle bearings

 

[doyouquaxu]

Yes, 31 spline axles use the 31 spline axle bearings

what is the yes referring to? yes, you can do what mwood said?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

No you cannot...the FX4 shafts are a different animal all together again, and will not fit in the a 28 spline housing.

 

[Captain Ledd]

what is the yes referring to? yes, you can do what mwood said?

That they still use different wheel bearings.

28 spline axles use 28 spline wheel bearings.

31 spline axles use 31 spline wheel bearings.

Seriously guys. It will take super duper custom parts to make it work. Just weld new perches on the Explorer axle and save yourself the headache.

It's all here:

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

 

[doyouquaxu]

i've read the link, thanks for posting it though. i can get a ranger 8.8 28 spline housing for $40, but i couldnt figure out if i could swap a 31 spline diff, axles, and yadda yadda on it. trying to figure out if i should swoop on it or not, but i guess i'll pass.