Can i swap my ford 8.8 28 spline rear axle for a 8.8 31 spline?

[rickjonvik]

i have a ford 8.8 28 spline rear axle on my 2007 ranger fx4 and want to swap it for a 31 spline, how would i accomplish this?

 

[Sunk]

Take your axle out and put the other one in its place?

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

carrier and axles + spider gears with the carrier... have a driveline place install it unless you know what your doing.

 

[adsm08]

Keep in mind that the 31 spline RBV axles are just peared down full size units. The bearings and axle tubes are bigger than the 28 spline units.

The BEST way to do it, maybe not the cheapest or easiest, is to find an Explorer axle, get it flipped, and throw it in. This gives you the benefit of being able to convert to disc brakes in the rear at the same time if you grab the right axle.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah the 31 spline is physically bigger then the 28 spline atleast in the tubes and shafts.

It is much simpler to just get an explorer 8.8 and swap it in, I also believe that the FX4 lvl II came with the 31 spline axle without disc brakes though.

 

[straycat]

The axle tubes are bit bigger on the 31 spline. A buddy tried it on his 8.8 with 28 spline and it would not work. He had brand new everything and he just got the Explore 8.8 bare housing at a junk yard for $75 and put it all together and that made him happy. He sold his 8.8 to another buddy and got something back at least!!

 

[Surrey]

Yeah the 31 spline is physically bigger then the 28 spline atleast in the tubes and shafts.

It is much simpler to just get an explorer 8.8 and swap it in, I also believe that the FX4 lvl II came with the 31 spline axle without disc brakes though.

According to the tech page, FX4 lvl II axles 99+ with 4.56 gears are 31 spline, the rest are 28.