Wider rear axle?

[Drunkmonkey]

Current plans are to do a solid axle swap in the next few months. Picked up a dana 44 out of a 79 F150 want to leave it full size and get wide fenders. Now trying to figure out a way to widen the rear to match? Any ideas? Maybe a 8.8 out of a newer F150? Would that be close to the same width and be fairly easy to swap in?

 

[Sunk]

You could go with a matching 9"...

 

[LittleBigFoot]

I'd agree with the 9" but a full size 8.8" isn't a bad second. Make sure they're geared the same.

And the 9" is much more bad ass then the 8.8". Third members rule.

 

[4x4junkie]

Ehhh... they're really about the same when stock. 3rd members are nice if you're running on a drag strip where you might need quick gear swaps, but they can potentially turn into a huge headache if you break a shaft.

8.8s are likely to be more plentiful. Look for '87-'96 F-150s, anything earlier may have the weaker 3/4" crosspin in the diff carrier (disregard though if you're putting in a full-carrier locker such as a Detroit or ARB).

 

[purpony]

what about custom length aftermarket axles. You can order them any length and they will slide right in. Will make your width wider.

 

[4x4junkie]

what about custom length aftermarket axles. You can order them any length and they will slide right in. Will make your width wider.

No, the housing needs to be wider too if the axles are to fit properly.

 

[purpony]

No, the housing needs to be wider too if the axles are to fit properly.

I have a set of Mustang SVO axles that are longer then standard mustang/ranger axles and fit the stock 7.5 or 8.8 rearend. The Mustang SVO had a funky wheel backspacing/offset and therefore has longer then stock axles. I ended up changing the wheels on my car and therefore swapped the axles out for stock ranger axles which caused the rear to be "narrower" then before. Thats why i suggested custom axles.

 

[Drunkmonkey]

Ya i was thinking an 8.8 only cuz I have some 4.56's for an 8.8 sitting in the garage. And its going to be getting an ARB. What years would be the best match to the width?

 

[4x4junkie]

I have a set of Mustang SVO axles that are longer then standard mustang/ranger axles and fit the stock 7.5 or 8.8 rearend. The Mustang SVO had a funky wheel backspacing/offset and therefore has longer then stock axles. I ended up changing the wheels on my car and therefore swapped the axles out for stock ranger axles which caused the rear to be "narrower" then before. Thats why i suggested custom axles.

I s'pose if it's a minor change, it can be done, but something like what Drunkmonkey's looking for that wouldn't work (the shaft would stick out too far, potentially leading to fatigue at the wheel bearing journal + the brakes wouldn't line up).

Ya i was thinking an 8.8 only cuz I have some 4.56's for an 8.8 sitting in the garage. And its going to be getting an ARB. What years would be the best match to the width?

Uh look above:

8.8s are likely to be more plentiful. Look for '87-'96 F-150s, anything earlier may have the weaker 3/4" crosspin in the diff carrier (disregard though if you're putting in a full-carrier locker such as a Detroit or ARB).

or did you want the full year range for 8.8s? ('83-'96 F-150s/Broncos)

 

[Drunkmonkey]

I s'pose if it's a minor change, it can be done, but something like what Drunkmonkey's looking for that wouldn't work (the shaft would stick out too far, potentially leading to fatigue at the wheel bearing journal + the brakes wouldn't line up).





Uh look above:


or did you want the full year range for 8.8s? ('83-'96 F-150s/Broncos)

Just anybody know of some other trucks or cars with rear drums just so I can keep an eye out in the junk yard.