8.8 Axle question

[PL1993]

Hey guys I have a 93 ranger 4x4 mostly my daily driver right now.I am going to set it up for trailriding/offroading.I live in Michigan so the terrain is not that extreme.I plan to run 33"-36" tires. My question is my rear axle and it's strength.It is the 28 spline 8.8. As soon as I am not driving it everyday I want to put in a mini-spool(laugh if you may but this is also a budget wheeler)when/if I do it this way can I put explorer 31 spline shafts in my housing? Is this worth it?My local junkyards seem to be getting flooded with explorers I have not checked prices, would i be better off grabbing one with disk brakes and just using that? All input is appreciated,Thank you

 

[Ranger44]

It should be fine, but a spool should just be used off-road, tires will drag and turns will be rough on pavement. You could do the explorer axle swap, but you have to flip the spring perches..because the Exploder is sprung under, rather than sprung over like Rangers.

 

[wahlstrom1]

You can do a mini spool, but you cannot replace your 28 spline shafts with 31 spline versions because they are larger, and use larger outter bearings. You'd be better off just using the explorer version, and repacking a traclok limited slip that way it's still streetable.

-andrew

 

[PL1993]

Thanks guys,If I do use a spool the street miles will deffinitly become very limited.Have you ever heard or seen a 28 spline break under this kind of use? Am I at risk running a 36x12.50 tire on my truck? Or am I looking up the wrong tree,is there some other weak point to this axle?I've seen alot of mustang guys putting alot of HP to 8.8s. I don't plan on a V-8 swap.Just want to plan ahead and possibly prevent a ruined weekend. Thanks again.

 

[wahlstrom1]

It should work fine, the only reason I swapped to a 31 spline version was because of emminently bigger tires (37x14.50's) and either a 400+ HP small block or a 4bta cummins.
I've got a detroit locker for a 28 spline, but I don't think your budget could afford a $400 locker + shipping....but it's there if ya want it...

-andrew

 

[4x4junkie]

35" is about the maximum tire I'd run on a 28 spline shaft. I would seriously consider upping to 31 splines if you want to run 36s.

As for the spool, don't bother. Weld it.
Mini-spools for c-clip applications suck balls (they are not a solid piece like a non-c-clip one is) and are known to break without much effort. The stock 8.8" carrier is nothing to write home about either, but if welded properly, does become stronger.

 

[brendank]

35" is about the maximum tire I'd run on a 28 spline shaft. I would seriously consider upping to 31 splines if you want to run 36s.

As for the spool, don't bother. Weld it.
Mini-spools for c-clip applications suck balls (they are not a solid piece like a non-c-clip one is) and are known to break without much effort. The stock 8.8" carrier is nothing to write home about either, but if welded properly, does become stronger.

I think the 8.8 is good for a bit more than 35's, especially if you're running a D35 . Just from my personal experience, I've broken 5 sets of D35 axleshafts and u-joints, and never once has a problem with my old 28 spline 8.8, even with stock shafts. This was with 35's.

Maybe in my case it's to do with weight distribution. I nearly never wheel with my nose in the air.


x2 for weld it. IMO spools are silly when you can just pull out the welder. As explained by junkie, there's even more downsides to a spool when you're using a c-clipped axle.

 

[PL1993]

I'm with you on the welding.Did you pull the carrier to do this or not? We did that on my buddies B2 a couple of years ago without taking it apart.What/is there a proper way? I just thought the spool would be a little less "redneck". I'm still undecided on the next set of tires i will buy.I have a 4" suspension and am going to add a 3" body lift soon.I'm leaning towards 33s.Wow! five sets of shafts,sounds like me with my old D28 1987 ranger.I am going to upgrade to the 5-760x u-joints,this weekend.Have you done this?

 

[metalmacguyver]

when considering the differences between a 28 spline and a 31 spline axle, the biggest plus about the 31 spline is not that it is stronger but that is has disk brakes (95+ explorers). the disk brakes will hold the wheel/axle shaft in if the shaft ever breaks. when your talking about the strength of each axle it is really a negligible difference. one might be able to handle 2inches more rubber than the other and stuff like that but what has a far greater impact on durability is the style of driving and the kind of terrain that will be driven on. from what you described, the 28 spline will probably be fine and since you have it, thats more money left in your budget.

if it really is a big worry for you though, the disk brake explorer axle will provide peace of mind.