7.5 and 8.8 axle shafts

[shane96ranger]

OK, I'm pretty sure I've read on TRS somewhere that the axle shafts themselves are the same for the 7.5 and the 8.8 rears. I can't seem to to find that info anywhere now.

To be honest, I am looking into doing a 5 lug conversion on my Mustang, and I have no guilt dismantling 7.5's, but I don't want to dismantle any 8.8's for my cause.

 

[jovibuilt]

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?t=83543&highlight=ranger+axles
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?t=80666&highlight=ranger+axles
Hope that helps.

 

[shane96ranger]

It does for the front.....but I'm still confused is the 7.5 axle shaft will go into an 8.8 housing.

Thanks for those links.

 

[Mac]

That info is up in the library in the 7.5-8.8 section. As long as you stay in the correct year/length, the axles are completly interchangable. Think I saw you posting at Allfordmustangs this morning and posting the link to the ilink to the tech section here at TRS.
Dave

From library info
"Swapping in an 8.8-inch 28-spline Ranger axle for the original 7.5-inch axle provides (according to Ford) a 35% increase in strength. But this strength increase refers to the greater strength of the gears and carrier bearings (Pinion bearings, axle bearings and axle shafts are exactly the same) there is NO increase in weight capacity If you are looking for greater strength for loads created by severe offroad driving or towing you'll want to go to the next step, the Explorer axle.

 

[shane96ranger]

That info is up in the library in the 7.5-8.8 section. As long as you stay in the correct year/length, the axles are completly interchangable. Think I saw you posting at Allfordmustangs this morning and posting the link to the ilink to the tech section here at TRS.
Dave

From library info
"Swapping in an 8.8-inch 28-spline Ranger axle for the original 7.5-inch axle provides (according to Ford) a 35% increase in strength. But this strength increase refers to the greater strength of the gears and carrier bearings (Pinion bearings, axle bearings and axle shafts are exactly the same) there is NO increase in weight capacity If you are looking for greater strength for loads created by severe offroad driving or towing you'll want to go to the next step, the Explorer axle.

There's where I saw that! I even thought I had read that there, but didn't notice it when I skimmed back through that. Oh, and yes that was me. I frequent both TRS and AFM (mostly TRS though).

I wasn't getting much over there, so I asked over here. Ranger guys seem to be more savvy on this particular topic. Thanks!

 

[jovibuilt]

You need TWO lelf sige axles to go into the mustang housing.The right side is too long,the mustang diff is centerd unlike a ranger one.

 

[tom_mcmullen06]

Look into an explorer 8.8 rearend. Theyre cheap and there is alot of em out there i would just swap axles but that just me.

 

[feellnfroggy]

CAUTION!!!

I swapped my 7.5 axles into an 8.8 rearend when I had my mustang. The 99 and newer 8.8 inch axles are 3/4 inch longer on either end than the 98 and older, both housing and shafts. I dont know if this applies t the ranger axles, but i dont see why it wouldnt. As far as the exploder axleshafts, some exploder If I remember correctly are 31 spline and the 7.5 and 8.8 are mostly 28 spline for everything else. If you swap in a 31 spline set you will need the carrier from the donor as well. hope this helps.

 

[Hahnsb2]

If you swap in a 31 spline set you will need the carrier from the donor as well. hope this helps.

You cannot put 31 spline axles in a 28 spline housing, for any number of reasons.

 

[Mac]

You cannot put 31 spline axles in a 28 spline housing, for any number of reasons.

I believe you can in a Mustang (certain years) but not in a RBV.
Dave

 

[dla]

OK, I'm pretty sure I've read on TRS somewhere that the axle shafts themselves are the same for the 7.5 and the 8.8 rears. I can't seem to to find that info anywhere now.

To be honest, I am looking into doing a 5 lug conversion on my Mustang, and I have no guilt dismantling 7.5's, but I don't want to dismantle any 8.8's for my cause.

I'm not sure what you are referring to. There are 28spline axles and 31spline. Obviously the 31's are larger diameter than the 28's.

 

[shane96ranger]

CAUTION!!!

I swapped my 7.5 axles into an 8.8 rearend when I had my mustang. The 99 and newer 8.8 inch axles are 3/4 inch longer on either end than the 98 and older, both housing and shafts. I dont know if this applies t the ranger axles, but i dont see why it wouldnt. As far as the exploder axleshafts, some exploder If I remember correctly are 31 spline and the 7.5 and 8.8 are mostly 28 spline for everything else. If you swap in a 31 spline set you will need the carrier from the donor as well. hope this helps.

Yeah, I think 97 is the last year that works......IIRC.

Look into an explorer 8.8 rearend. Theyre cheap and there is alot of em out there i would just swap axles but that just me.

I can't just swap the axles. The Ranger's pumpkin is not centered, and uses leaf springs. The Mustang's is centered and uses coil springs. Not to mention the quad-shock set-up.

I'm not sure what you are referring to. There are 28spline axles and 31spline. Obviously the 31's are larger diameter than the 28's.

I'm referring to popping the axle shaft out of a 7.5 inch Ranger, and sliding it into my 8.8 on my Mustang. Not the housing, not the pumpkin.....just the shaft. My Mustang has a 4 lug, and I'm wanting to gather the pieces to change to 5 lug in the future. I know I can pull one out of an 8.8 Ranger already.

I need two drivers side shafts as well, which is why I would rather dismantle two 7.5's than two 8.8's.

Maybe this will help clear things up. These are the pieces I need from a Ranger to complete do a conversion.

 

[Mac]

Shane, went back to your post at AFM, boy are some of them confused! Two said you need the passenger side. You got it right here. Go with the larger 10" brakes, those shown are 9" (by the ribbing). I did find out how the Mustangers put a 31 spline in also. They use the same dia axle as the 28 but it is larger where it goes into the new 31 spline carrier. Learned something new today!
Dave

 

[shane96ranger]

Shane, went back to your post at AFM, boy are some of them confused! Two said you need the passenger side.

That's why I decided to come back over to TRS for my question. I knew the drivers side was what i needed before I asked the question. Generally most of the time you get good advice, but this particular subject was stumping some.

Go with the larger 10" brakes, those shown are 9" (by the ribbing).

I knew I needed 10 inchers, but didn't know there was a way to tell by the ribbing. I was just going to measure them, LOL. What's the difference in the ribbing?

I did find out how the Mustangers put a 31 spline in also. They use the same dia axle as the 28 but it is larger where it goes into the new 31 spline carrier. Learned something new today!
Dave

Nice, I learned some new stuff too (brakes)!

 

[Mac]

Just guessing the ribbbing is for additional surface area for cooling? See no mechanical reason.
Dave
Edit: No need to pull the drum either to measure, max size is cast in as below: