explorer 31 spline 8.8 with disk brakes swap question

[QuakerShaker4242]

im looking into tuning up the ranger with a lot of the extra time im going to be having in the near future. ive been looking into swapping a 31 spline 8.8 axle from a 95+ explorers that had the disk brakes along with a 63" chevy as a short term project for my long term sas project. what i was wondering was is it possible to use my my 4.56 gears from my 28 spline 8.8 axle i have now? and maybe my no-slip as well? that would save some trouble but if i cant i will probably just go to 9 inch instead. input is appreciated


Thanks,
Cody

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The gears will swap over just fine. The locker will not work as the spline count is wrong. 28 vs 31.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

The gears will swap over just fine. The locker will not work as the spline count is wrong. 28 vs 31.

ok thanks, that helps. is the swap worth it? and how does the 31 spline 8.8 compare to other axles? such as a 9" or maybe a rear dana 60?

 

[crawlin91]

a nine inch can be built much stronger than a 8.8, but the 8.8 is a damn strong axle.
if you sas and keep stock width eb d44 and explorer 8.8
if you want full width
d44 and a 9 inch or full width 8.8 in the rear(f-150)........

or go with one tons much stronger
ford d60 front and sterling 10.25, d60, 14 bolt, etc. rear

just consider how hard you beat the thing and what it will be used for.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

a nine inch can be built much stronger than a 8.8, but the 8.8 is a damn strong axle.
if you sas and keep stock width eb d44 and explorer 8.8
if you want full width
d44 and a 9 inch or full width 8.8 in the rear(f-150)........

or go with one tons much stronger
ford d60 front and sterling 10.25, d60, 14 bolt, etc. rear

just consider how hard you beat the thing and what it will be used for.

well id love to throw it under some 1 tons but sometimes those front dana 60s can be pricey. i dont think i will be wheeling beating it hard enough for a while. it is all apart of my 4wd conversion. i just want to make sure i do it the right way

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

i had read somewhere that 99+ f-150s had disk brakes as well.could this be another option for my sas to get the fullsize,disk rakes, and the 31-spline? also would it be the same width as the earlier 78-79 years that i would plan on getting my fullsize dana 44 from?

thanks,
cody

 

[NMB2]

different axle all together in the newer trucks different bolt pattern too.
the nice thing with the 9" is if you use it in the start, and just go fully built now. If you ever go 1ton front, you already have the rear done.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

different axle all together in the newer trucks different bolt pattern too.
the nice thing with the 9" is if you use it in the start, and just go fully built now. If you ever go 1ton front, you already have the rear done.

that is a good point. i could probably snag a fw 9" and a dana44 from the 78-79 years of the f-150. that would mke my bolt pattern 5x5.5

if i went with the eb dana44 and explorer 8.8 i would keep the stock bolt pattern which would save me the hassle of getting new wheels and i could transfer my 4.56 gears i have now to it.

but at the same time i may like to up my gear ratio to 5.13 so not getting the 9" would be kinda pointless because im regearing it anyways. i dont really plan on getting new tires soon though cause my toyo mtrs are pretty new so idk if id need the extra power from the gearing but im definately going to lift it up more for more flex and for the option to go bigger. idk what to do

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

is there any way to keep the stock ranger bolt pattern with full width d44/ford9 combo?

 

[Shran]

is there any way to keep the stock ranger bolt pattern with full width d44/ford9 combo?

Wheel adapters or you may be able to get the rear shafts and drums (or rotors) redrilled for 5x4.5. The front can be 5x4.5 with mid 70's Dodge knuckles, but then you have to get locking hubs for it or deal with drive flanges.

It is better to leave it 5x5.5 because there are more choices for spare tires on the trail after you ruin a driving tire and your spare in the same day.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

i think i have finally made the decision. for now i am planning on running a 76-77 eb d44 or a shortened 78-79 axle. in the rear i will run the explorer 8.8. i chose this because the rear doesnt need to be swapped along with everything else. I also plan on running dodge outer knuckles and spindles so it keeps the stock bolt pattern.

i want to have the high pinion from the 78-79 shortened d44 but i will go with the low pinion if i have to.

I want to go full width but the amount the axles stick out is a large concern for me because i drive a splash and i couldnt use larger fender flares.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

does anyone know where i could get a fw d44 narrowed??

 

[Shran]

If you're gonna run the 8.8 then I'd get the shafts and rotors for that redrilled for 5x5.5 rather than mess around finding all the Dodge knuckle stuff and locking hubs. Easier and simpler.

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

If you're gonna run the 8.8 then I'd get the shafts and rotors for that redrilled for 5x5.5 rather than mess around finding all the Dodge knuckle stuff and locking hubs. Easier and simpler.

yea youre right. i could leave the front like it is and like you say get new shafts that would be stronger and rotors or even adaptors. after all... i got the set of wheels now for 5 for $100 so im sure i could find something else cheap that was 5x5.5 and recoup costs from selling mine. i just got my 35s not too long ago so im probably going to get my use out of them so 4.56s for now is fine. I might even swap in the explorer axle later but we will see. Do you think it would be better to go with the eb d44 up front or find a way to shorten a 79 f-150?

 

[Shran]

Either 44 is fine...it's kind of a tossup in my opinion which is better. The 78-79 has to be narrowed but the high pinion makes it stronger. It's also easier to keep your front driveline out of the rocks. But the EB 44 is already narrow and allows for more uptravel in some cases. It also has smaller u-joints but aftermarket shafts are available so you can run the bigger ones.

I am going to use an EB 44 just cause that's what I have available.

There is also the Superior 8.8 shaft kit that allows you to pick either 5x4.5 or 5x5.5, has hardened shafts, and eliminates the c-clips.