Who makes a 31 spline for my 8.8 Ranger??

[Blackdog]

I'm regearing to 4:88 and adding a ABR. I want to add 31 spline axles, where can I get them?

 

[wahlstrom1]

Swap in an Explorer or fx4 Level II axle. The 31 aspline version have larger tubes and larger outer wheel bearings, that allow it to carry a higher load rating. You could get custom cut 31 spline axles and swap a 31 spline carrier into your 28 spline axle but your still stuck using stock diameter wheel bearings and shafts.

-andrew

 

[AllanD]

simply putting 31-spline aftermarket shafts into a Ranger 8.8" doesn't
gain you the main benefit of 31-spline axle shafts.... which are the
fatter axle tubes, larger bearings and thicker shafts (at the bearing journals)

are 31-spline custom shafts for a ranger stronger? well..? a little...

The thing is if you show me a shaft that has broken at the splines
I can show you where it was a progressive fatigue failure, basically
the shaft "dies" of "old age" not from being weak.

The 31-spline large journal shafts are 100% every bit as strong as F-150 pieces.

31-spline aftermarket shafts to fit in what WAS a 28-spline Ranger axles
are simply not as strong.

AD

 

[Blackdog]

simply putting 31-spline aftermarket shafts into a Ranger 8.8" doesn't
gain you the main benefit of 31-spline axle shafts.... which are the
fatter axle tubes, larger bearings and thicker shafts (at the bearing journals)

are 31-spline custom shafts for a ranger stronger? well..? a little...

The thing is if you show me a shaft that has broken at the splines
I can show you where it was a progressive fatigue failure, basically
the shaft "dies" of "old age" not from being weak.

The 31-spline large journal shafts are 100% every bit as strong as F-150 pieces.

31-spline aftermarket shafts to fit in what WAS a 28-spline Ranger axles
are simply not as strong.

AD

Thanks Allen. I know most wanting 31 splines are going the Explorer route. I would do it also but the problem I see is it's too wide. I already have a Ranger 8.8 and wanted to use it. This is a daily driver on 33's so it should be OK. Just kind of a shame to buy ABR's with a 27 instead of 31 spline.

 

[AllanD]

The thing about aftermarket shafts with 31-splines is that they are custom pieces with custom prices.

When you break one you cannot trot to a nearby junkyard and grab a spare.

The same can be said about getting an FX4 axle.

As for the explorer axle being "Too wide" how is that?

I'm runing a Gen3 axle in my Gen1 truck
and even before I converted the truck to 4x4
the tires didn't rub against the fenders at 2wd ride height.

You have a gen3 ranger already and the explorer axle is only about an inch wider than stock and you have MUCH larger wheel openings.

I doubt that you would ever notice the "extra" width in terms of tire clearance, or lack thereof.

The explorer axle is probably the wisest choice if only because of the
abundant supply of spares

AD

 

[Blackdog]

The thing about aftermarket shafts with 31-splines is that they are custom pieces with custom prices.

When you break one you cannot trot to a nearby junkyard and grab a spare.

The same can be said about getting an FX4 axle.

As for the explorer axle being "Too wide" how is that?

I'm runing a Gen3 axle in my Gen1 truck
and even before I converted the truck to 4x4
the tires didn't rub against the fenders at 2wd ride height.

You have a gen3 ranger already and the explorer axle is only about an inch wider than stock and you have MUCH larger wheel openings.

I doubt that you would ever notice the "extra" width in terms of tire clearance, or lack thereof.

The explorer axle is probably the wisest choice if only because of the
abundant supply of spares

AD

I'm too anal to use an axle 1.5" wider than the front. It would mean breaking two different sets of tracks in the snow and mud.

 

[MAKG]

Over 1.5 inches? 3/4 inch on each side?

You'll get the same effect from the normal front/rear load asymmetry. There is A LOT more weight on your front axle than on the rear if you are unloaded. If loaded, it may be the other way around (depending of course on how much you load it). If you have the same tire pressures front and rear, the contact patches are different.

You might worry about six inches, or an off-center size difference. If 3/4 inch bothers you, you can correct it with backspacing or a wheel spacer. But I doubt you'd notice it.

 

[AllanD]

I'm too anal to use an axle 1.5" wider than the front. It would mean breaking two different sets of tracks in the snow and mud.

I hate to break your "anal" heart, but the track width isn't the same NOW
so you have nothing to lose.

Rangers have a trac width that is NARROWER in the back than in the front.
this situation only got worse when ford added the D35 to the '90-up Gen2's

they corrected it by making the axle wider on the gen3-on trucks.

The extra width of the explorer axle is trivial for most purposes

And BTW, wider is better for preventing something worse... rollover!

AD

 

[Blackdog]

I hate to break your "anal" heart, but the track width isn't the same NOW
so you have nothing to lose.

Rangers have a trac width that is NARROWER in the back than in the front.
this situation only got worse when ford added the D35 to the '90-up Gen2's

they corrected it by making the axle wider on the gen3-on trucks.

The extra width of the explorer axle is trivial for most purposes

And BTW, wider is better for preventing something worse... rollover!

AD

I went out to the garage and checked. Sure enough, the rear is about 1 7/8" narrower than the front. I've been driving on axles that don't match in width! OK, I'm convinced, the Explorer axles do make sense. A quick internet search told me I should expect to pay $600 to $800, sound right? My decision to regear is getting very expensive. BTW, Allen has been running 98% right.

 

[4x4junkie]

The thing is if you show me a shaft that has broken at the splines
I can show you where it was a progressive fatigue failure, basically
the shaft "dies" of "old age" not from being weak.

The 31 spline shaft will fatigue far slower than the 28 though, so it'll live to a much older age.

I have 31 spline Moser shafts in my Ranger 8.8. I've had no issues to speak of with the shafts (other than a busted ARB locker blowing all the splines off one side).

If I did it over though, I would go the Explorer axle route however, mainly for the junkyard shafts reason AllanD mentions.

 

[metalmacguyver]

A quick internet search told me I should expect to pay $600 to $800, sound right?

for an axle 150, gears and install kit 250, and labor for gear set up, 100+, then yes 500 and up once all is said and done.

 

[Blackdog]

for an axle 150, gears and install kit 250, and labor for gear set up, 100+, then yes 500 and up once all is said and done.

The online junk yards are $600-$800 just for the axle. I'll keep looking after turkey day.

 

[Sunk]

Wow, I'd check the local yards if you know any. If you pull it yourself it should be even cheaper. Hell, I used to know a guy who worked at the yard closest to me who told me and a friend "If you show up with an axle and leave with an axle, who'll know? Or care?"

Keep in mind should be able to sell your current axle for at least something to help recoup that cost a little.

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
I picked up my explorer 8.8 with L/S and a true D35 for under $200. Granted, i had to pull them myself and then have them rebuilt. But i find 600 - 800 pretty high. It might be a stretch, but include the Seattle area in your search.