cantfind2nd

iTrader: (24)

ranger rear is same as explorer.

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

AWesome thread! Thanks for sharing this info guys. I'll be using this as my guide to build one for my Camaro.

Its a hard decision to go with the 28 spline or upgrade to the 31 spline. Seems I'd save a lot of money being able to reuse my axles, but at the same time I might as well go all the way and not have to look back and worry about the axles later...

fixinitup

iTrader: (6)

Edited. Just read link to Ranger 8.8s

Great thread with good info, but still confused and would like to get some of those questions answered. This would be a nice project for me to work on, already have an extra 10 bolt lying around. Looking to keep the TA so what details in the center section would I look for to use hiltsy mount? (If he still makes them) Thanks in advance. I'll also try doing a little more research myself as I've never worked on these before.

stratass

Did this rear ever get finished and tested?

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

I think he said it was finished and he was driving it. He just positioned it a little to far to the rear and was going to adjust it later. But I would like to hear stories to about how much abuse he's given it.

spec_j

iTrader: (3)

anything new about this????

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

^^ x2

maxpower_454

iTrader: (7)

Incorrect:



The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch rear axle has found homes in numerous vehicles besides the Explorer. It has been swapped in to Ford Rangers, Bronco II's, Jeeps, Chevy S-10's and even some cars.

The 8.8-Inch axle used in the Explorer is highly desirable because it came with 31-spline axles over the typical 28-spline found in the Ranger version. There’s a 20-25 percent difference in strength between this Explorer 8.8 and the Ranger 8.8. The bigger 31-spline axle accounts for most of that, but the 3.25-inch tubes also help. The 1991-1994 versions had 10-Inch drum brakes and the 1995 and newer models come with disc brakes.

Not all Ford Rangers came with 8.8-Inch rears. The base rear end in the Ranger has been the Ford 7.5-Inch. When Ford introduced the 4.0 V-6 into the Ranger in 1990, it came with a 8.8-Inch, 28-spline rear axle. The Ford 7.5-Inch axle was standard on the non 4.0 V-6 models.

To this day, the Ranger can still be found with either the Ford 7.5 or 8.8 inch axles. The base model 8.8-inch axle is still a 28-spline, but the FX4's come with a 31-spline 8.8-Inch rear axle.

The majority of these axles came with 3.73 gears and a Traction-Lok differential. The Traction-Lok can work very well and almost like a full locker if you apply a little brake pressure with your left foot while accelerating with the right.

maxpower_454

iTrader: (7)

I'm also interested on any updates. I have a hiltsy mount ready to go but need a 8.8

md93

I was told the 96 ford explorer 8.8 is an easy swap.. Thoughts?

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

All I know is that I'm building one now. I'll be doing a video covering it on my youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/agearhead4life.

I've gathered 4 Exploder 8.8 rears and going to build them all different ways. I'm assembling the Hiltsy mount for the first one now. I've got the Moser 31 spline f-body axles for it and have cut the tubes of the f-body and 8.8 rear. I've also had the sleeve made to adapt the two.

I've also gathered the truing bar and pucks to line it all up straight before welding. Guess I should start a thread..

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

Thanks to guys taking to the time to make threads like this and a local buddy giving guidance, I've been able to make lots of progress. I've taken a ton of pics but haven't taken the time to add them to a thread like this. I've got them collected in a photo album on my Facebook Blog page "AGearHead4Life".
I don't know if a link will work here, but here's a link to the album.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...4384877&type=3

Thought I'd give this information to try to help others since this thread has been updated in a while.

ThoR294

iTrader: (6)

I wish I was good at arts and crafts. This is awesome and a great budget rear.

Fastazzcamaro98

is there any way to run 31 spline axles with this set up? I have read that the 28 spline axles slide right in and work with this modified 8.8 but it seems that this would be the weak link

AGearHead4Life

iTrader: (5)

Yep. You buy ~$400 31 spline axles made for the f-body. Then you use a 31 spline Exploder carrier.

There will always be a weak link. The question is, at which level weak link will your project need to hold up to.

The first weak link for the f-bodys is the small 7.5 ring gear and carrier. What was done in this thread eliminates that. The next weak link will be the 28 spline axles. But you have to ask yourself, is what you're going to be doing with your project more than what 28 spline axles can handle. If not, then run the 28 spline axles. Or you can run the 28 axles at first until you save enough to buy the $400 31 spline axles.

A build like in this thread is a budget upgrade to the 7.5" f-body rear. Like with everything, you can just keep upgrading as far as you'd like to go. Money and purpose of the project are what makes the decision.

hiltsy855

iTrader: (35)

Ya, if you start with an Exploder 8.8 you just need custom 31-spline axles. Moser & Dutchman will make axles for the 10-bolt axle bearings & housing ends but another (better) way to go is with MWC housing ends for 3.150" press-on bearings.

john.kiley

I’m currently doing an 8.8 rear on my f-body, I picked up an explorer rear end and already had an f150 rear end, noticed the f150 is considerably wider, actually pretty darn close to the same width as the f-body stock rear end. Was wondering why no one seems to use f150’s without cutting them? They would probably work well, and already have 31-spline axles, lsd and decent gearing.