8.8 swap questions

[AzLizard]

Swapped a explorer rear end in the 85 over the weekend.
My question is;
What have you all been doing with the flange?
I'm using the ranger driveshaft and the 8.8 is to big.
Are you changing the flange or redrilling it?
Thanks

 

[GodAmRanger]

Can't say I've ever heard of someone re-drilling a flange to accomodate a different bolt pattern, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible.. If you're going to be drilling/tapping it, you may want to consider getting a the right flange to you don't run into issues keeping the driveline straight/balanced..

 

[Captain Ledd]

The inner ring the DS-flange centers on the Axle-flange should all be the same diameter. I've had one drilled out before to accommodate a different bolt pattern.

Others have used a conversion u-joint, where one side is the smaller Ranger driveshaft size (but only for certain older Rangers, newer ones about early-mid 90's won't have an issue) and the other is the larger size.

There's probably more ways to do it, but those are the big 2.

 

[adsm08]

I just swapped drive shafts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I redrilled/tapped my flange, works fine.

When I get the M5OD in I am going to bigger joints though (since I have to redo the driveshaft)

 

[AzLizard]

Thanks for your replies.
I need to look and see if I still have the explorer D/S.
Probably just redrill and tap the flange to keep it simple.
85ranger do you remember the tap size you used?

 

[59bisquik]

Another option is to get the flange from a 90's t-bird with the 8.8. It has the smaller bolt pattern and you dont have to fool with strange u-joints or redrilling. There are normally piles of them in the wrecking yard.

 

[AzLizard]

Another option is to get the flange from a 90's t-bird with the 8.8. It has the smaller bolt pattern and you dont have to fool with strange u-joints or redrilling. There are normally piles of them in the wrecking yard.

Thanks,I'll look into that.