Looking into the 8.8 conversion issue.

What did the 8.8 come in and years?

Axle shaft diameters?

Spline counts?

I have heard that the 8.8 could be found in everything from the Mustang to the F150. But that they came in a multitude of flavors.

I am only looking for stock info, not upgrade options.

Thanks.

HP

It came in Broncos and F150s from '83 'til '96. '83 thru '86ish could be questionable as *some* (very few) still got the 9". I have no idea what determined which got the 8.8 or 9" during those years, problably just if Ford found a 9" laying around the warehouse :-) These 8.8s are 1.31", 31 spline. By '87 you can be assured it's an 8.8 as RABS came about that year in all Broncos and F150s and the 9" was never fitted w/the excitor ring and sensor necessary for the RABS.
I just learned the 8.8 continued in '97 and not sure how far beyond that, but only in the V6 F150s. V8s (4.6 and 5.4) got the new 9.75". Nonetheless, I'd guess that anything past '96 will be metric bolt pattern.
8.8 was also put under Mustangs, Explorers, Rangers, and Mountainsneers. Not sure of years, will let an expert answer that. I think most Mustang 8.8s were a 28 spline????

Ranger 8.8 came in rangers with 4.0's from 90 to present I am pretty sure. They were 28 spline with drum brakes not sure on shaft diameter.

91-94 explorers all had 8.8 with drum brakes. I always thought they were 31 spline but some say 28 so better double check. They have drum brakes

95-2001 all have 8.8 31 spline disk breaks on them

Dont know any of the width issues on thhem but from what I recall explore axles are some thing like 1.5 inches wider then the ranger ones.

Matt

FYI...

All Explorer 8.8" have 1.31" 31 spline axleshafts.

All Ranger 8.8" have 28 spline (and smaller diameter) axleshafts.

The 95-01 (discs) Explorer 8.8" backing plates will swap to the non-disc (91-94). Then all you will need are new rotors, calipers and some tweaking of the brakelines.

'86 and up V8 Mustangs have 28 spline 8.8" rears

late 80's and up Crown Victorias also have 8.8" rears not sure what the spline count is though. An interesting note on the Crown Vic, late models with 4 wheel discs have 12" rotors on the rear and 13" rotors on the front.

if your looking for one, i got an 8.8 out of my exploder for sale...4.56 gears, and a few extra clutches and frictions in the l/s

Originally posted by CoryL
FYI...

All Explorer 8.8" have 1.31" 31 spline axleshafts.



Don't be too quick to say that. I was under the same impression, until last month when I pulled the axles on a 92 Sloder at work, and it had 28 spline axles.....customer states that he was the original owner, and the rear had never been swapped.... I was surprised, and I don't know what years are the 28, but there are some........

Brian--

Originally posted by CoryL
All Explorer 8.8" have 1.31" 31 spline axleshafts.


Pre 95, non v8 xploders had 28 spline, and many had drum brakes.

95 v8 and 96+ xploders had 31 spline with disc brakes. These are great for YJ swaps.


Bronco and F150s are wide, have drums and are 5 on 5.5 pattern.

ranger, and xploders are 5 on 4.5 and narrower.

what is it going in?

Originally posted by Dan-H


Pre 95, non v8 xploders had 28 spline, and many had drum brakes.

All pre-95 Explorers had drum brakes, the V8 was not available until '96. If indeed there were 28 spline axles in Explorers they are less common than 31 spline.

That 28 spline X must have been a one off. All X 8.8"s are 31 spline, according to Ford.

I'm not saying that odd balls don't happen though...

CHECK OUT MY WEB SITE, IT HAS NEW INFO WEEKLY
http://www.geocities.com/danemspringer/
Goto: TECH INFO

<IMG width=579 height=397 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/FORD8.8.jpg">

Originally posted by SMART ASS
<IMG width=579 height=397 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/FORD8.8.jpg">

The little description beside the pic is bullshit. The 8.8" is noticably larger than the 7.5" and has a different shape to the cover as well as the housing. This is obviously taken from a cheesy magazine that doesn't do their homework.

:confused:
Man someone is pissy, just tryn to help a lil dude. the article is targeted to people with little to no understanding / difretiation of axles. It was just general informational...
And i believe it answered 95% of his questions ;)


FORD 8.8
<IMG width=175 height=104 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/ford88in.jpg">

To joe shmoe they look similar...

FORD 7.5
<IMG width=175 height=107 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/ford75in.jpg">

To someone with knowlage of ford axles or axles in general we or they know what to look for, and yet their are still others that do not. Try not to take things so personal... :)

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon


The little description beside the pic is bullshit. The 8.8" is noticably larger than the 7.5" and has a different shape to the cover as well as the housing. This is obviously taken from a cheesy magazine that doesn't do their homework.

Who's taking anything personal? It's just another example of a poorly written caption. Happens all the time and will happen again because the writers and editors don't do their homework. Plain and simple that's it. I'm not getting pissy I'm giving my opinion.

I agree the magazine clip has issues and it is kinda frustrating when I see this from a mag, but it's very common in nearly all mags (Off-Road more than others tho). It says the 8.8 was used in '81-94 Broncos, hmm what happened to '95-96 Broncos?
'81-90 F100s? Did Ford even still use the F100 moniker as late as '90?
'81-96 F150 AND 250???? I've never seen an 8.8 under a 250. Only semi-float D60 or 10.25 in LD versions.
And '97 F150 - only in the V6 models which they would've known had they done any homework. My gf's parents own a '97 F150 w/the 5.4 and it's definitely the new 9.75.
I'd swear when they get "tech info" like this they just ask around the office to a few co-workers rather than perform any actual research.
Of course, it's nothing personal. Just pointing out errors I see, and if someone has proof that I'm wrong in my statements I'll quickly amend my response.

God I love this board... :D

Anyway, the magazine articles are the reason I asked. No one seems to have a straight answer. And I do mean "No one". There seems to be so many damn varibles. That is why I asked. I figured I could get a general cross section of what is really out there. This whole discussion stems from some debates and research that we are doing for axle swaps.

What, Why and Where. For the most part, the axle swaps that we are working on is for Jeeps. YJ and TJs to be exact. The main purpose is to come up with cost effective ways to get something a tad bit better under the Jeep. What modifications are there and how much to do it right. Also, what is considered right. Everyone has an opinion on that. For me, it was the HP 9" setup F/R in my TJ. For my brother, nothing less then RR D60s will do. A couple of friends, one is looking at the 8.8 and another is looking into a D44. Cost is a huge issue and compatibility as well.

Thanks for the info guys.

Originally posted by D60
And '97 F150 - only in the V6 models which they would've known had they done any homework. My gf's parents own a '97 F150 w/the 5.4 and it's definitely the new 9.75.

I think the 9.75 is only on the 5.4 up until 98 or 99 or so. The '97 4.6L at home has 8.8 axles f&r. (Need to check... might be RC in front??)

And as soon as the GF lets me take a wrench to her Exploder, I plan on measuring the 8.8 w/discs. I think it's a metric pattern, but I haven't been able to check yet.

o.k. I'll add my 8.8 sighting into the mix.About 10 yrs. ago I bought a 1983 f-2504x4 with an 8.8 semi floater,8 lug.

It was a light duty stripper model with a six cyl. and a four speed.