8.8 rear end

[ranger]

what is the easiest 8.8 to swap into my 88 ranger 4x4

 

[Grunizzle]

easiest? any ranger 28 spline axle.
strongest? 31 spline exploder axle

 

[ranger]

is it a direct swap all i have to do is unbolt mine and re bolt the 8.8 and reconnect the lines?

 

[corrond56]

most of it should be direct. for your year though I am not too sure about the drive shaft. also the axle tube is probably a bigger diameter so new u bolts

 

[TRX501RYAN]

explo axles will need the spring purches welded on top and if im not mistaken welded in new shock tabs

 

[spdcrazy]

brake lines bolt up, but the exploder 8.8 is a bit wider, and was setup for spring under. and ours is spring over. so you do need to re mount the spring perch's.

as for shocks, you will need to weld some tab's on too. the exploder shocks mounted to the top plate of the u bolts.

and driveshaft are fairly easy... some had a 2.5in bolt pattern, but most had a 3.0.

 

[Hahnsb2]

most of it should be direct. for your year though I am not too sure about the drive shaft. also the axle tube is probably a bigger diameter so new u bolts

28 spline Ranger 8.8s have the same tubes as the 7.5 so same u-bolts.


All 8.8s should have the 3" flange yoke, your 88 will have a 2.5" flange yoke, so you will need the larger 3" companion flange for your driveshaft.

 

[ranger]

ok i am getting the 8.8 28 spline. the only reason i am getting an 8.8 is because i am going to get 4.56's and the lock right isn't compatible with the 7.5 and 4.56's

All 8.8s should have the 3" flange yoke, your 88 will have a 2.5" flange yoke, so you will need the larger 3" companion flange for your driveshaft.

so i will need to get a large ujoint also correct? and are all u joints for the 8.8 28 spline the same no matter what the year?

 

[Hahnsb2]

ok i am getting the 8.8 28 spline. the only reason i am getting an 8.8 is because i am going to get 4.56's and the lock right isn't compatible with the 7.5 and 4.56's

Yes it is, the ring gear tooth needs to be clearanced to get the cross-pin in, same with an 8.8 with 4.56s....

so i will need to get a large ujoint also correct? and are all u joints for the 8.8 28 spline the same no matter what the year?

The u-joint should be the same as what's in your truck now (1310), so same joint, just a larger bolt pattern. In my experience the explorer used a 1330 joint.

 

[ranger]

i think i remember seeing somthing in the tech library about that cross pin thing can you tell me more about that or show pictures of what i would have to do?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Here's a picture of the tooth on my 8.8 that I ground down, I used a dremel with a sanding bit, took about 10 minutes, did the same on my old 4.10 7.5.. You only need to remove the very tip of the tooth in the way.

Also here's a pic of the 2 flanges, both 1310 joints but different bolt pattern size.

 

[ranger]

i am just going to stick with my 7.5 then. i dont really do much off roading i just want the added traction.