Explorer Axle Shafts

[np24]

I was wondering if I could take a set of 93 Explorer 8.8 31 spline shafts and put them in a 97 Ranger 8.8 28 spline housing.
I just picked up another ranger and wanna put my locker in it. The locker is for the Explorer axle.
It looks like both axles use the same wheel bearings. It would simplify things if I could just swap shafts instead of re-welding the perches on the Explorer axle.
Thanks
Nick

 

[Boggin]

i think it would work if you swapped everything like the carrier and all

 

[np24]

I'm gonna have to swap the carrier. It has LS and the locker I have is for an open.
I just don't wanna have to go through selling this locker and buying another one.

 

[7.5L_STX]

i dont see why it wont work, i mean an 8.8 housing is gonna(should) be the same no matter what.

 

[Earl43P]

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

Tubes are bigger.

 

[RangerSVT]

Not only are the tubes bigger, but the outer axle bearings are also bigger to match the larger shaft...
SVT

 

[np24]

Yeah, but the Explorer tubes neck down to the same diameter as the ranger tubes.

 

[np24]

Any look up for bearings shows the same bearing for the 28 spline as the 31 spline.
Even the carrier bearings are the same.

 

[RangerSVT]

7.5" axle tube diameter is 2.75",8.8 28 spline tube is 3.0", and 8.8 31 spline tube is 3.25"...
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

I just noticed that....The axle tube diameter would be the weaker link, but in theory it should fit providing you changed the carrier. Guess the only way to find out would be to take a 31 spline shaft and install it into a 28 housing, but from what everyone has said, it won't work...I have both 28 and 31 spline axles in my truck, but have never actually tried swapping the two...
SVT

 

[Earl43P]

2000 Ranger 8.8 28 spline axle bearing ID= 1.399", OD= 2.2948" (1563 series bearing)

1999 Explorer 8.8 31 spline axle bearing ID= 1.1618", OD= 2.5333" (1559 series bearing)

Just looked up axle bearings and they list those different dimensions.

 

[88_Eddie]

i just went through this. i have an explorer 8.8 that i'm going to run in my bronco 2, it came with an open diff. a few weeks ago, i bought a ranger 8.8 from another TRS member to get the 3.73 R&P....also an open diff

EVERYTHING in the differential is the same size (carrier bearings, pinion bearings/seals, ring gear, pinion, pinion nut, ring gear bolts, top and bottom spider gears)

EXCEPT the side spider gears (the ranger one has 28 splines and the explorer 31), the cross pin was also different sizes, but i think you could use a ranger open carrier in an explorer differential.

as mentioned above, the axle shaft diameters are different as well as the axle tube diameters.

so yeah, i dont think that will work

 

[RangerSVT]

2000 Ranger 8.8 28 spline axle bearing ID= 1.399", OD= 2.2948" (1563 series bearing)

1999 Explorer 8.8 31 spline axle bearing ID= 1.1618", OD= 2.5333" (1559 series bearing)

Just looked up axle bearings and they list those different dimensions.

I looked up a 97 ranger with 8.8 28 spline and a 97 explorer 8.8 with 31 spline, they both used a 1559 series bearings, while the 97 ranger with the 7.5" rear uses the 1563 series bearings...(click on the blue)
SVT

 

[Hahnsb2]

I wish people would stop asking this and those that have been around here awhile would stop spreading misinformation. No, you can't put 31 spline axles in a 28 spline housing, for any number of reasons.

I looked up a 97 ranger with 8.8 28 spline and a 97 explorer 8.8 with 31 spline, they both used a 1559 series bearings, while the 97 ranger with the 7.5" rear uses the 1563 series bearings...(click on the blue)
SVT

Parts stores are often wrong, shocking, I know.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yep. That's just another one of those persistent parts-store computer errors that no one seems to give a shit about (anyone who's ever owned a '93-'97 truck with a 3.45 axle ratio should know all about this lol).


ONLY way you're gonna get 31 spline shafts into a Ranger housing is to order custom-made shafts from a place like Moser that have 31 splines and the smaller bearing journal.