8.8 rear questions

[GentlemanRogue]

so my WTB thread turned into a big QandA, so i figured i should just make a post here about it. here goes:

i'm looking on just some basic info about the 8.8's in Rangers and Exlorers. people keep telling me the 8.8 in an Explorer is 59" wide. is this to the drum face, or backing plate to backing plate? how can i identify an 8.8 from any other rear under these trucks? are there any years that are better than others? about how much should i expect to pay for one?

thanks in advance for the help guys!

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Some rangers hae a 7.5"

Explorers and 4x4 level II rangers had a 8.8" 31 spline and with disk brakes

All other Ranger 8.8" were 27 spline w/ drums

These are goin on a dodge right? I think I remember reading this.

I'll have a 27spline 8.8" for sale as soon as i swap my 9" in. PM me if you're interested. It's in CO

Pre-pulled prices are way up there. Check craigslist for people parting explorers.

My 8.8" has taken everything I've dished it in the last 115,000 miles. Great axle.

 

[blackbronc]

My 7.5" is 58" drum to drum so 59" would be about right for an 8.8 from an explorer.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Some rangers hae a 7.5"

Explorers and 4x4 level II rangers had a 8.8" 31 spline and with disk brakes

All other Ranger 8.8" were 27 spline w/ drums

These are goin on a dodge right? I think I remember reading this.

I'll have a 27spline 8.8" for sale as soon as i swap my 9" in. PM me if you're interested. It's in CO

Pre-pulled prices are way up there. Check craigslist for people parting explorers.

My 8.8" has taken everything I've dished it in the last 115,000 miles. Great axle.

28 Spline

 

[PaleBlue90]

yea, even the 28 spline 8.8s are strong. the exploder ones came with disc breaks, the rest have drums

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

That seems to be about the easiest way to go about explaining it.


Explorers seem to be having a hard winter this year in my area, so far there have been four being parted out on craigslist, the rear axle and springs followed me home out of one for $100.

 

[baparish]

Level II's don't have disc brakes

 

[edgeaholic (tm)]

8.8 28 spline! stock.

nice.

 

[AllanD]

My 7.5" is 58" drum to drum so 59" would be about right for an 8.8 from an explorer.

Bronco2's are 1.6" wider than an early ranger rear.

AD

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Shit! my bad.... 28 spline! I've been studying up on full size i've forgotten my dearest ranger axles!..... and didn't the level II have disks? Thats what i've read here on TRS before. IIRC

 

[metalmacguyver]

Shit! my bad.... 28 spline! I've been studying up on full size i've forgotten my dearest ranger axles!..... and didn't the level II have disks? Thats what i've read here on TRS before. IIRC

no worries. i cant tell you how many times i have had to look up 30 or 31 spline for the explorer axle. i just cant get it through my head.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Shit! my bad.... 28 spline! I've been studying up on full size i've forgotten my dearest ranger axles!..... and didn't the level II have disks? Thats what i've read here on TRS before. IIRC

Nope, only the 95+ Explorers got that treatment. The FX4 Rangers got pretty much the same deal as the older Explorer's but narrower.

 

[GentlemanRogue]

These are goin on a dodge right? I think I remember reading this.

yeah, an '88 Ram50, thats why i was looking for an 8.8 out of a Ranger(aprox. the same size), but if an Explorer rear will fit, i know it'll be a lot easier to hunt one of those down.

i am going to look to see what i can find around here, keep an eye on Criagslist and put the word out on some local car forums i am on.

i just wanted to tell you all how much i appreciate all the help. on most other car forums i go to, i'd usually get grilled for posting without reading volumes of FAQ before hand. it's pretty refreshing to show up on a board where people are actually cool about stuff to a newb.

thanks again guys,
Dustin

 

[GentlemanRogue]

im bringing this back. the rear in my truck is 58" wide, wheel mounting face to face; so a '93-older 8.8 out of a ranger should be perfect width, if i can find one. what i am wondering now is if the disc brakes, 31 spline axle shafts, gears and differential from a later Ranger will all bolt into the older rear? i figure the axle shafts in the later rears will be too wide, but did they ever make the narrow 8.8's with 31 spline axle shafts? what years? will it be hard making the parking brake work with the rear discs if the mechanism was designed for drums?