Shortening an explorer 8.8

[RebuildRanger]

Ive bought my rear end and Im going to shorten it. I was thinking of shortening it an inch or two shorter than my stock 7.5 in the 88 gt.

However when I was talking to a couple of rearend shops a guy said that the axles on one side is longer than the other and I might be able to get away with just shortening one side.

Will this work without screwing anything up?

Also if you had a rearend shortened what did the shop/yourself do to the rear end?

 

[RangerSVT]

The reason why all ranger and explorer axles are offset is because of the fuel tank mounted inside the framerail. Without being offset, the driveshaft would contact the tank. It is possible to shorten one side, however the explorer axle by default is 1.5 inches wider than a stock ranger. If your wanting to shorten the 8.8 shorter than the ranger width, shortening one side will not be enough. Also, if you plan to keep your tank in the stock location, its not advisable to shorten just one side, make sure your pumpkin stays offcentered.
SVT

 

[RebuildRanger]

Thanks for the info, im not keeping the stock fuel tank, ive ordered a 16 gallon from summit

 

[chvlfrk]

FYI: Sister-site info

I'm lookin at doin somethin similar on my RAT Ranger rearend, here's the link that I was givin, answered lotta ?'s I had:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215899&page=9

 

[AllanD]

Why do you want to narow the axle?
The track on gen1 & 2 rangers are too narrow to start with

Using a wider axle is just great for adding additional stability.
You'll be amazed with the change in cornering feel

I've been running a gen3 axle in my Gen1 truck for years
even long before I switched to a 4x4 and it eliminates the
"tucked" appearance of the rear tires.

That being said the extra width of an Explorer axle over a Gen3 (or later) axle is simply trivial.

AD

 

[chvlfrk]

>>>

Why do you want to narow the axle?
The track on gen1 & 2 rangers are too narrow to start with
Using a wider axle is just great for adding additional stability.
You'll be amazed with the change in cornering feel I've been running a gen3 axle in my Gen1 truck for years even long before I switched to a 4x4 and it eliminates the "tucked" appearance of the rear tires.
That being said the extra width of an Explorer axle over a Gen3 (or later) axle is simply trivial.AD

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Well Allan, in my case, I'm lookin for TUCKED and I'm not worryin bout cornerin either......my 28" tall x 15" wide tires stick out bout 1 1/2" on each side, so to put 2 short axles in my centered Explorer rearend would get my tires totally inside the wheelwells WITHOUT havin to mini-tub my stepside box.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Have you considered a 9". If you can shorten the housing yourself you'll be able to do the whole job yourself by using these axles.
http://www.nitro-gear.com/news/2009...h-axle-shafts-ford-8-9-mopar-875-dana-44.html

These axles will also allow you to use the stock Ranger bolt pattern of 5x4.5

31spline big bearing 9"s are easy to come by in j-yard in older F-150s and Broncos

Also if you are near Kansas City MO, I have a really good guy for narrowing housings.