7.5 vs 8.8 axle advice needed

[MarcosLopez77]

so i have a 90 ranger project im working on. it currently has a 7.5 rear axle with 4.56 gears and locker on it.

i have a 98 4.0 donor chassis that im currently swapping the entire drivetrain into my 1990 2.9. the Donor has the bigger 8.8 axle that im thinking of swapping as well.

My question is how much better is the 8.8, is it really worth the swap. i mean my 7.5 already has lower gears and locker. Would be worth the time to swap to a stock 8.8? and possibly lower those gears later on?

 

[kryptonitecb]

I'm a fan of the 8.8 however in your case since you where running the 7.5 already I would continue using it. You are looking at more money on top of your project if you put the gears and locker in the 8.8.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[exbass94]

That donor 8.8 you have is probably a 28 spline. It has a stronger ring and pinion, but it has the same axle shafts and wheel bearings as the 7.5.

 

[88_Eddie]

like kryptonite said, not worth the effort. you wont be getting much improvement over the 7.5

if your 98 donor chasis is also a ranger, it means you have the 28 spline 8.8 which has the same size axleshafts as a 7.5, just the ring gear is larger. you'd also still have drum brakes.

if you can find a 95-01 explorer 8.8, different story. if you plan to run big tires and beat on the truck, it might be worth it.

 

[Frank The Tank]

If it was a 31 I'd say absolutely. 7.5 lockers are expensive as all heck and very very few choices though.

 

[MarcosLopez77]

appreciate all the replies and info. I agree i think ill just use the 7.5 as is. If it had the disk brakes then it might be worth the effort. I will be running 33" tires but with the 4.56 gears it currently has and the new 4.0 i think it should suffice. as for the 8.8 ill save it for my 91 ranger as a backup incase i never need to replace the 8.8 on that truck.

 

[88_Eddie]

if you look long enough you can find deals on explorer 8.8's....got mine for $150

 

[straycat]

I'm a fan of the 8.8 however in your case since you where running the 7.5 already I would continue using it. You are looking at more money on top of your project if you put the gears and locker in the 8.8.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

^^What he said, Bro. Run it till it blows and then do a swap. It should last for some time. I know a few buddies that run the 7.5 with 4.10 and 4.56 gears and have been running them for a long time. When they blow a rear they say they will replace it. Enjoy that locker!!!

 

[4.0B2]

run it till you need to upgrade... if it never craps out on you, great.. IF it does, then worry about it. Till then, rock on with it.