8.8 BII driveshaft

[sjranger]

I will be swapping in an 8.8 to my '85 this week and was wondering what kind of options are around for a rear shaft. I have seen the conversion flanges and joints to use the factory BII shaft, but I'd like to do something a little stronger. I was wondering if its possible to swap to a flange on my transfer case rather than the current yoke type and just shorten up an exploder shaft? Any suggestions would be great, thanks!

 

[mjonesjr]

Your rear shaft has a flange, not a yoke in the transfer case.

I would stick with the stock Bronco II drive shaft if you have a u-joint style shaft. If not, have an Explorer rear shaft shortened to the proper length.

 

[sjranger]

well not a slip yoke, but yes a yoke

 

[mjonesjr]

Ah, yes yo can swap that for a flange. Today is your lucky day too, if I still have one of my old BW1350 transfer cases, you can have that flange for the cost of shipping. They are a direct swap.

 

[sjranger]

does the flange you have have the same bolt pattern as the exploder shaft?

 

[4x4junkie]

If your '85 has the stock stickshift trans, the FRONT driveshaft from a '91-'94 Explorer should fit right in as your rear shaft. You'll need the front output yoke off the Ex t-case and a flange to mate it up to your rear axle flange.

 

[sjranger]

Explorer front shaft in rear?

If your '85 has the stock stickshift trans, the FRONT driveshaft from a '91-'94 Explorer should fit right in as your rear shaft. You'll need the front output yoke off the Ex t-case and a flange to mate it up to your rear axle flange.

Thanks for the tip, I swapped yokes today and put the shaft in but I am curious as too how much of the slip shaft should be exposed. I really only had enough room to compress the shaft to bolt it to the transfer case so I am concerned that there may not be enough movement if the suspension fully compresses.. Any ideas?

 

[4x4junkie]

Check and see if it may be just the boot holding it back a bit.

There should be about 1.5" of slip movement available in either direction from it's static resting position.

 

[sjranger]

Right again!

I pulled the boot today and bolted it back up and it looks as though there is a little over 1.5" of travel in the shaft, and it was just binding up on the boot. Everything is back together now, thanks again!