Ford 8.8 power limit with 35's and 4.56 gears?

[Lientz]

Hey all, I am in the process of planning out my build and i was wondering what the power limit of the 8.8 rear axle is. I am planning on having ~400whp and using 35in tires with 4.56 gears w/lsd. I am planning on making this a long suspension travel vehicle as well, going for 18in in the front and 26in in the rear, so will a welded-on axle truss be sufficient to support that? I don't plan on going too crazy with jumping it and whatnot, mainly just going to be a wild weekend off-roader/daily driver build.

Appreciate ya'll!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Depends greatly on skinny pedal application.

 

[Lientz]

Depends greatly on skinny pedal application.

Just need something that'll be reliable for DD and light off-roading

 

[Shran]

I would suggest getting a 31 spline Explorer axle. You will be fine with that. Most broken 8.8s that I've seen suffered from extreme wear everywhere, carriers with egged out cross pin holes, blown up spider gears, then the C clips fall out... 8.8s are a really good axle for light, low power trucks and will withstand quite a bit of abuse if they are not worn out. Lockers do not help keep them intact! I think your limited slip idea is a good one.

 

[RonD]

That would be a little passed the upper limit for a Ranger 28-spline 8.8", 400HP
Explorer 31-spline 8.8" would better

But with over 32" tires you can break an axle if you don't lighten up on the gas pedal
When you press down on the gas pedal the tires are suppose to spin, if the tires are heavy and have too much traction then they don't and that's when differential and axles break

But its a little like "how much Boost can I used on a stock engine?"
You just keep adding Boost and watch the gauge until something breaks, then subtract 1psi from that number, and you have your answer, lol

So the Ranger 28-spline 8.8" can handle 400HP, until it can't, then go down to 399HP and try again