I've heard alot of good things about these' but I've also heard that they leak alot. Is this true? Are there any tips for choosing the right one? I know the 97+ models use the disc breaks.

They are stronger than your 35, but they still have c-clips so if you manage to break a shaft you have problems.


Oh yeah, SEARCH!:flipoff2:

I have'nt heard anything abouy leakig, but I don't know anyone who has one.
I think the Explorer version got disks in '95.
Disk brakes will help hold the shaft in if you break one, but with a D30 front I assume you are'nt going to run a big enough tire to worry about it.

95up Explorer 8.8 has discs and 31 spline shafts. Fawk the c-clips. Its not likely to break a shaft (stronger than a D44, too), and even if it did, like CJ-Jeeper points out, the disc/caliper will keep it from coming out.
Throw a Detroit in it and be done with it.

The one in my Ranger has been fine for 9 years now (well except for one exploded ARB locker. Now I have a Detroit).

I've heard that they are stronger than a D44 also. Never heard of any leaking issues.

you could definatly consider that D30 to be your 8.8's fuse.

on my 8.8 i have ran 31",32",33",35" with a mini spool... the only issue i have had is after i replaced wheel bearings (they lasted over 100k so no complaining here) and the seals a week later i had to replace the seal again. they are HD enough for me and dont know of anyone having any issues with them.
check out http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php for superior 8.8 info. rangerstation.com as well has excellent info. lots of aftermarket suport too.

Originally posted by 84 Sheepdog
They are stronger than your 35, but they still have c-clips so if you manage to break a shaft you have problems.


Oh yeah, SEARCH!:flipoff2:


I came to the Newb fourm cuz I didn't want to search!:flipoff2:


So no one has had problems with them leaking thats great i guess this guy I talked to got screwed on his deal.

the leaking you hear of is usually from people doing the c-clip eliminator kit it has been known to not like sideloads associated with 4 wheeling and causes the seals to leak I have the 8.8 in my tj runnin 4.10's and 35's works great no complaints

I still want to know why so many ppl bag on the d30???

All the ranger 8.8's are 28 spline.. I put about 70k miles on mine before selling it and had zero problems, and absolutely no leaking.

I have a heavy right foot. I guess that's why I busted the spider gears, busted teeth off the ring and pinion, and a few other things off the Dana 35. I've had the 8.8 out of a 97 Exploder w/ 4.10's and an ARB for about 7 months now. It's great w/ 33's.

There are 4 guys in my club with TJ's on 35's that run it. One with a Lockright and the other 3 w/ ARB's. They all have had no problems with it either.

It's a good swap for a YJ or TJ up to 35's if you are a medium wheeler.

I'm a huge fan of the 8.8 swap - I run 35"s on mine with a detroit, no strength issues.

It is a C-clip axle but the thinnest point in the shafts is 1.32", bear in mind that D44, 30spline D60s, and 14 blts are all 1.31" at their thinnest. I'm definately not saying it's better than a 60 or a 14bolt - but be wary of anyone telling you you'll be fragging axleshafts with this thing.

Good to know about the C-clip eliminator. I've been having a little trouble with leaking, the factory cover has a lip that sticks out just a little bit (where most other covers just come out to an edge). I keep dragging the lip over boulders and opening it up. I've been told that grinding the lip down flush with the housing will fix it (and that does make sense :rolleyes: ) so I've done that, but haven't wheeled it since.

Originally posted by AndyN
I'm a huge fan of the 8.8 swap - I run 35"s on mine with a detroit, no strength issues.

It is a C-clip axle but the thinnest point in the shafts is 1.32", bear in mind that D44, 30spline D60s, and 14 blts are all 1.31" at their thinnest. I'm definately not saying it's better than a 60 or a 14bolt - but be wary of anyone telling you you'll be fragging axleshafts with this thing.

Good to know about the C-clip eliminator. I've been having a little trouble with leaking, the factory cover has a lip that sticks out just a little bit (where most other covers just come out to an edge). I keep dragging the lip over boulders and opening it up. I've been told that grinding the lip down flush with the housing will fix it (and that does make sense :rolleyes: ) so I've done that, but haven't wheeled it since.

The 14 bolt and D60 are setup way differenty than the 8.8 and the shafts on the 14 bolt are alot bigger. Most 60s and all 14 bolts (corporate models) are full float which makes them way stronger than a SF 8.8 You are comparing apples and oranges here.

8.8 is fine for even hardcore use. I know a guy (Afecko on the board) that wheeled every trail you could think of (hammers, rubicon etc.) with an 8.8 and his cherokee's unibody cracked in half before he broke his 8.8. I would consider them usable up to 37s and Jeff (h8monday) ran one with 38.5s with minor breakage I believe.

The reply.

Originally posted by Jason R


The 14 bolt and D60 are setup way differenty than the 8.8 and the shafts on the 14 bolt are alot bigger. Most 60s and all 14 bolts (corporate models) are full float which makes them way stronger than a SF 8.8 You are comparing apples and oranges here.


The previous post.

Originally posted by AndyN

It is a C-clip axle but the thinnest point in the shafts is 1.32", bear in mind that D44, 30spline D60s, and 14 blts are all 1.31" at their thinnest. I'm definately not saying it's better than a 60 or a 14bolt


I will correct myself, 14 bolts are usually 1.37" at the narrowest, some are bigger (including all 10.5 ringed units), but I was pointing it out for purposes of comparison. Of course a full-floater is stronger than a semi-floater, and if he used portals the axleshaft could be smaller still, and plantary reduction hubs...

Ah Pirate4x4, where even in the newbie section every post is another finger in the piranha tank! :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Jason R


Jeff (h8monday) ran one with 38.5s with minor breakage I believe.

from memory, he blew both shafts at the same time, and probably the R&P. but as you stated, 38.5's, warmed 302, lots of stewpid pedal and i think he had the 14b ready to go.

Andy...i think he was just clarifying for you. not attacking. lighten up.:flipoff2:

95 exploder + have discs, all 31 spline
3.73 and 4.10 ratio common
trash loc common in 4.10
first weak point, IMO, is the paper thin cover. second is the carrier.

I've also heard of bearing cap failure, but since all of you say you haven't had any problems I guess those are rumors or rare problems.

I'll most likely get the 97+ with a detroit then focus on my front end.

Originally posted by Neal'88yj
I've also heard of bearing cap failure, but since all of you say you haven't had any problems I guess those are rumors or rare problems.

I'll most likely get the 97+ with a detroit then focus on my front end.


Good choice. I am trying to destroy mine, but it is holding up just fine with 4.88s, detroit, and 36's. NO leaks, no broken cclips, no turned axle tubes. Do it. :D

Originally posted by kjp98TJ


Andy...i think he was just clarifying for you. not attacking. lighten up.:flipoff2:


Sorry, I put on the asbestos suit and break out the gasoline every time I come around here. :rolleyes:

-That is a good point about the cover, it is certainly thinner than I'd like, but so far mine has held up (kinda, see above), there are a couple aftermarket fixes - there's a drag-race bearing-cap-reinfocement cover from... I don't remember... Also Crane makes an Uber-beefy forged cover for it, but it costs a bit.

-Also the tube spinning should be mentioned, 4 little rosette welds (per side) hold the tubes in place from the factory. Go ahead and blast them together on when you weld on the new perches. There's really not much reason not to.

-Argueably one of the best reasons to do an 8.8 swap is that they are plentiful NEW, yes that is correct for a limited time! Well, not that limited, but as I've heard the story; Ford started making axles for the 2000 exploders back in '99 (several thousand units), Ford engineers changed Exploders to a an IRS setup for 2000 making the '99 built axles unusable, Ford dumped these axles on the market, making them very cheap for what they are. I got my axle for <$500 NEW, with brakes, on a Ford pallette, marking compound still on the gears (from Ariel Performance BTW). There's something aweful nice about swapping in an unused component!

carriers cracking - is not uncommon. friend has 37" boggers with ezlocker (or some other lunchbox - i dont recall) and recentl found that his carrier had a crack in it. im stating this to seed doubt as he has the boggers for wheeling, 35 bfg at for DD and over 150k on his truck. been lifted for quite some tiem and wheeled hard... very hard.

95+ have the disc brakes.

Originally posted by jeffseal
95+ have the disc brakes.

Right thanks :flipoff2:

just FYI if you want to build an 8.8 even better they are very common in exploders and late model mustangs along with broncos and f150's course the exploder 95+ was only with disk brakes that I am aware of but since it is such a popular mustang axle you ever need any parts or befy components look at ford motorsports or jegs check the drag racing sites for good deals

they make everything for them including beefy aluminum diff covers with bearing caps built in

the only weakness I have heard of in the 8.8 is the carrier cracking or breaking pretty sure detroit takes care of that.


I have a friend of mine with an 8.8 in his late model mustang running nitrous and about 650 horse total with a 5spd he was not light on it at all he blew out 4 trannies and several motors never did anything to the 8.8 even when he was running slicks

theres your piece of mind :p

I'm no Ford expert, but doesn't the 7.5" (IIRC) share the same, or a similar housing as the 8.8? I think earlier Rangers had the 7.5, not the 8.8. Could be wrong. It's suck to pull what you think is an 8.8, only to find out later that it's only a 7.5.

I have to say, I love my 8.8... Right now, its got 4.56's and a trac loc... Don't ask. It came that way, setup with the gears I have in the front axle, so I swiped it for a trade for my D35 :flipoff2: I've gone everywhere I wanted to go, and not worried about breaking the rear axle. The D30 on the other hand.... I worry about :D. My plans are to eventually get the bearing cap support cover, and a full case detroit for it. Ive been running 35's on it for about 1.5 years with no problems. I'll be going to either 36" TSL's or 37" MTR's next... and I don't see a problem....
Scott

Originally posted by Static-XJ
I'm no Ford expert, but doesn't the 7.5" (IIRC) share the same, or a similar housing as the 8.8? I think earlier Rangers had the 7.5, not the 8.8. Could be wrong. It's suck to pull what you think is an 8.8, only to find out later that it's only a 7.5.

from what ive researched only the 4.0 rangers had the 8.8 the 3.0 rangers had the 77.5 as far as i can tell the mustangs are 5.0 and 4.0 get the 8.8 and the smaller mustangs had the 7.5 all the exploders had the 8.8

(correct me if im wrong)
chad

Originally posted by Static-XJ
I'm no Ford expert, but doesn't the 7.5" (IIRC) share the same, or a similar housing as the 8.8? I think earlier Rangers had the 7.5, not the 8.8. Could be wrong. It's suck to pull what you think is an 8.8, only to find out later that it's only a 7.5.


Outwardly the 7.5 and the 8.8 look similar, but side by side the 8.8 housing is much bigger. Arguably it's so big it really should be shaved, but that's a project for next winter! :D

here's the 7.5 cover
http://www.anschlagen.net/jeep/ford75.gif

and the 8.8
http://www.anschlagen.net/jeep/ford88.gif

Ranger pulls generally won't work in Jeeps anyway, they're only 54" or something... Exploders are 59.75" I think, though on my YJ, I can't tell a difference.

Originally posted by AndyN


Ranger pulls generally won't work in Jeeps anyway, they're only 54" or something... Exploders are 59.75" I think, though on my YJ, I can't tell a difference.

I measured an Ex axle at 59.5"


'93up Ranger rear axle width is 58.5"
'92down ones are 56.5"