is a 28 spline and 31 spline 8.8 OPEN CARRIERS the same?

[97-cobra/ranger]

Obviously the splines on the spider gears are gonna be different but lets say I have an open 8.8 carrier, would it matter if I used it in a 28 or 31 spline axle? I have an explorer 8.8 that's disassembled with no carrier or gears. I wanna put an open carrier in it with an aussie locker. Will it matter if the carrier is for a 28 spline axle or 31 spline if I put a 31 spline aussie in the carrier?

 

[projectnitemare]

The carriers are the same. The guts are what makes the difference.

 

[--weezl--]

i love this, I googled my question, the first link that came up that wasn't ebay, was this thread, which answered my question perfectly!

 

[AllanD]

except that the answer is entirely WRONG

8.8 open carriers are different for the 28spline and 31spline
and anyone who has seen both sets of parts side-by-side knows this

The 31spline spider gears are larger in diameter because the spider
gear Cross-shaft is 7/8" in diameter on the 31-spline, but only
3/4" in diameter on the 28-spline carrier

The next issue is that because of the difference noted above the axle
pinions are SMALLER in diameter, but have a larger Inside Diameter
to accommodate the larger 31-spline shaft.

The "Pilot" on the back side of the axle pinion gears that locates them
in the carrier is also larger in diameter.

The ONLY interchangeable parts on a 31-spline carrier with a 28-spline carrier
is the carrier bearings and the tiny little retaining bolt for the spider gear cross shaft

 

[--weezl--]

let me ask you this then... if I want to swap my torsen out for say a lockrite, (my truck is 31 spline) I would NEED a 31 spline diff, no matter what parts I order from Richmond?

I guess an f-150/explorer diff is just going to be what I grab...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

let me ask you this then... if I want to swap my torsen out for say a lockrite, (my truck is 31 spline) I would NEED a 31 spline diff, no matter what parts I order from Richmond?

I guess an f-150/explorer diff is just going to be what I grab...

Yup.

If you go F-150 make sure to fuss for 8.8 because they had other options too.

 

[--weezl--]

Orly?

I just posted in the thread about my diff noise that I might have a free 31spline 8.8