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Making an 8.8 work

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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 05:39 PM
  #81  
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I thought one purpose of the 8.8 was you could use the Fbody axles, although I guess the explorer axles are a higher spline count and stronger. But then you go and have to use wheel adapters.... ehhh I'd rather either order custom axles with the right length and bolt pattern or use the fbody axles to start with on the appropriate 8.8" carrier.
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Old Jun 22, 2015 | 06:24 PM
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My 8.8 axles are on the way. They are 31 spline with the Trans Am wheel bearings and bolt pattern. $328.00 shipped to me.
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by jak2908
And how does a guy in a garage go about doing that??
Cut, measure, align, weld. Basic fabrication

You dont need a truing bar. If you stuck one in a factory axle it wouldnt be perfect. An 8.8 wont handle 1,000+hp where that would make a difference

Level the housing on some stands or a jig. A digital level works best. Use an internal sleeve to extend the pass tube. With the level true up the up/down variable of the tube. Clamp a strait edge to the back of the differential and measure to the tube. Adjusting it parallel trues the F/R axis of the tube. Weld up to seal and mind the heat so the tube doesnt warp. Basic welding practices

I thought one purpose of the 8.8 was you could use the Fbody axles, although I guess the explorer axles are a higher spline count and stronger. But then you go and have to use wheel adapters.... ehhh I'd rather either order custom axles with the right length and bolt pattern or use the fbody axles to start with on the appropriate 8.8" carrier.
The purpose of building an 8.8 is to make a tough rearend on a small budget. Aftermarket axles are ~$350 and adapters ~$50, not a hard choice. If you want custom axles or to reuse the stock 28sp axles, knock yourself out. This is a solution for inexpensive stronger 31sp axles
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 08:37 AM
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I'm just thinking the stronger axles may be negated somewhat by using wheel adapters. Maybe the adapters are stronger than I'm thinking they are.
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 12:18 PM
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If you can shear 5 lugs off a wheel, then you've exceeded the power an 8.8 can handle
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Pocket
If you can shear 5 lugs off a wheel, then you've exceeded the power an 8.8 can handle
I guess? I've seen a few vids of people shearing lugs off before and weren't pushing anything too crazy like 800HP (though torque not HP is what's going to break them technically I suppose).

Last edited by SparkyJJO; Jun 23, 2015 at 01:27 PM.
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 01:49 PM
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My point is the lugs are the weak link for adapters not the adapters themselves. They're quite literally a chunk of aluminum with lug studs sticking out of them
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Old Sep 18, 2015 | 08:23 PM
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Just ordered Moser (4 ch) 31 spline axles in stock length for an 8.8 hybrid rear with stock style ARP studs already presssed in for $406 shipped.
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