im about to start building the 8.8 for my car. I need to be able to run larger than 31 spline axles so pressing in the 10 bolt tubes is not an option. what i would like to do is take 2 explorer 8.8's and use 2 of the long side axles and tubes. this would bring the overall width to 62.5". with this i would already have the 31 spline axles and a posi. at 62.5" thats only 2.25" narrower than the stock 10 bolt. I would be able to run a 15x10 6.5"bs wheel for the track, and on the street a 4.5" to 4.75" bolt pattern adapter with a 1" thickness would allow for stock wheels to be used. has anyone ever tried this option? thoughts? thanks guys.

 

Interesting idea. I think your math is about right - I measured the long Exploder axle at 30.5" so axle flange-to-flange would be about 62" with the cross pin + 1/4" per side for rotors = about 62.5". Assume you would just use the Exploder brakes?

 

yea, planning on using the explorer brakes, they clear 15" wheels fine and i sold the ls1 brakes i had with my old 9"

 

I went the other way...

I'm using two short side axles, but on a third gen. I need to run spacers for my stock wheels. I wanted to make the rear shorter just in case I decide to mini-tub and run custom Drag rims.

 

You can still use the 10 bolt tubes you will just need to have a sleeve stepping down from the 8.8 axle tubing to the 10 bolt.

Like so..

Here is the sleeve material I had a machine shop make for me. Material & Labor cost me $100.


You can just see the weld sleeve above the angle finder



One major thing you'll need no matter what you do is you'll need a axle jig.



I had a machine shop fab one plus pucks for the 8.8 carrier bearings and the 9" axle bearing for $150. 5' solid rod that is 1.5" thick. No flexing with this one.

 

ill be using 35 spline axles, no 35 spline axles available for 7.5 10 bolts, thats why im keeping the 8.8 axle tubes

 

i used two short side tubes on my explorer based 8.8 running 15x10x 3.5 bs wheels, mini tub kit all stock mounting points on suspension. using ford brakes just bought wheels in 5 on 4.5. i run 275/60/15 mts . weld 9 inch ends on the 8.8 tubes and run 35 spline axles. explorer brakes work with the right 9 inch housing ends.

 

also race craft sells bad *** brackets that are cnc cut for 3 to 3.5 inch tubes for fbody rears for $230 or so. i used hiltsy's mount that i bought off here for the torque arm.

 

Does anyone have experiance about using stock body, I am not tubbing my car but i do want to swap to an 8.8