Flame me, go ahead..

preparing to do the rear axle project in the TJ and I was wondering if all the Explorer 8.8's have the 31 spline shafts... I have a line on one for 300 bucks and was considering doing this. What does anyone think of 44 instead. I did a search and there were no straight answers.. I want to do this once i have 33's and will be going to 35 MTRS in a little while... I just like the price tag for under a 1000.00 I can be locked and get all the brackets new for the 8.8. I can buy a 44 housing w/TJ brackets installed from a source for 689.99 then build the rest from there. It would be more$$ but is it worth it?



Milkman

As far as I know, all Explorer 8.8s have 31 spline axleshafts. Some people have said that only the disk brake ones do, but my drum braked 94 Explorer 8.8 had 31 spline shafts. It seems to be holding up fine, and it wa built for <$300, but I only have a posi.

There are some with 28 splines but I never saw one.... not many rangers over here.....
I have a F8.8 and would never trade it for a D44 !!!!!
Eduardo

more input please!!

Why would you not trade it for the 44?... and horror stories fro the 8.8?

Milk

I would go with the 8.8 - this website I made might answer most of your questions:

http://www.auburn.edu/~brewibm/Ford88.html

cybersniper, you said you would not trade your 8.8 for a D44. What is that? Does the hassle of C clips not bother you? Strength is not a valid excuse. I reference to a recent thread of a 2.5L snapping an 8.8. Disk brakes can be built for an D44 for under 200 dollars and the parts are more accessible then an 8.8. So why do you prefer the 8.8 over the D44???

hey up top gun you suck at PBB!

WHy in the hell would you buy a REAR 44 HOUSING for close to $700!!? Are you NUTS? You can build a 60 or a 14 for that much! Hell I could get a FRONT 60 for that much.

you = :smokin:

I vote to stick niether the 44 or 8.8...go 8 lug :D

U fuckin shitbrain, even a ford 7.5 is tougher than that pos jeep axle.

Jason R, haha yea i fawked up my post on my first try.

Jason is right, 8 lugs solves many problems!

I would definetly build the 8.8

why? I have seen to many 44's break under 35's and have yet to see an 8.8 break under anything less then 38's

also exploder comes stock with discs so if you get a housing for 300 it is equal the the other guy finding a 44 housing for 100 and putting discs on for 200

just make sure you weld the tubes to the housing and your golden until you get nasty then you need the 1 ton and you can sell your 8.8 to some sucker for a grand

Originally posted by TopGun
cybersniper, you said you would not trade your 8.8 for a D44. What is that? Does the hassle of C clips not bother you? Strength is not a valid excuse. I reference to a recent thread of a 2.5L snapping an 8.8. Disk brakes can be built for an D44 for under 200 dollars and the parts are more accessible then an 8.8. So why do you prefer the 8.8 over the D44???

what cclip hassle?

2.5 snapping and 8.8, and.....welded for a year running 36's and hopping on it.

discs.....comes with the 8.8

there's more TJ 44 parts than ford 8.8 parts accessible? that's why every one axle TJ swap is to a 44 right?

Originally posted by kjp98TJ


what cclip hassle?

2.5 snapping and 8.8, and.....welded for a year running 36's and hopping on it.

discs.....comes with the 8.8

there's more TJ 44 parts than ford 8.8 parts accessible? that's why every one axle TJ swap is to a 44 right?

Does anyone understand what this guy is trying to say:confused:

THIS TOPIC HAS BEEN BEAT TO DEATH:mad:
There are over 1100 post on 8.8's and you will get the same answer from all of them. It is a "coke or pepsi" , "chevy of ford" topic and it is all a matter of prefernce and availability.

Originally posted by TopGun
cybersniper, you said you would not trade your 8.8 for a D44. What is that? Does the hassle of C clips not bother you? Strength is not a valid excuse. I reference to a recent thread of a 2.5L snapping an 8.8. Disk brakes can be built for an D44 for under 200 dollars and the parts are more accessible then an 8.8. So why do you prefer the 8.8 over the D44???


Ring and Pinion:
Just put the ring and pinions froma D44 and an 8.8 side by side and see if you dont immediately see the advantage in the 8.8 gears and pinion shaft.
The axle shafts:
Warn did an article that I believe Novack or some other company still publishes on their web site. When they did break tests on the D44 and 8.8 shafts, they expected the slightly beefier 8.8 to be just a bit stronger than the D44. Break tests however, showed the D44 to break at an average of about 4200 lbs of torque, the 8.8 shafts continualy maxed out their machine at 6000 + lbs.
C Clips: Who cares, its just another way to hold the axle in place. Unless you are running full floaters there is no huge disadvantage to running the clips or bolt on press fit bearings and flanges.
The C clips can be a bit harder to change if the break of a shaft is right at the splines,(which they usually are).

As far as strength as seen on the trail, I have seen way to many(read,..dozens) rear D44's fail at both the ring and pinion, and at the shafts. I have only seen two 8.8 shaft failures, and they were both mine, and by the act of stupidity that I used to break them, I might even suggest that I would have broken my 14 bolt shafts I run now. The shafts I broke were stockers, the Superior Alloys are substantialy stronger.

My opinion is that the 8.8 is a much stronger axle assembly.

Just make sure you get the 31 spline. There's a BIG difference. Here is a pic of a 28 spline mustang 8.8 shaft INSIDE a 31 spline 8.8 Ranger side gear........

http://www.texasoffroad.net/albums/lonestar/Ford88/DSC03528.jpg


Only major drawback I see with the 8.8 as a medium duty axle is the tube spinning. Some people choose to weld them, but some people claim it won't do anything.

Originally posted by H8monday



C Clips: Who cares, its just another way to hold the axle in place. Unless you are running full floaters there is no huge disadvantage to running the clips or bolt on press fit bearings and flanges.
The C clips can be a bit harder to change if the break of a shaft is right at the splines,(which they usually are).


My opinion is that the 8.8 is a much stronger axle assembly.

By the way... everything will break if subjected to wrong set of parameters and the engine is just one... F8,8 is a stronger axle than a D44 w/disks, at a cheaper price.
The 2.5 guy that broke it would have broken a D60 either.... thats for sure...

Ed

Originally posted by B.A.R.K


Does anyone understand what this guy is trying to say:confused:



Get......the......8.8.:D

thanks again for all the input...

I know this a topic that has been beat to death... Oh and by the way.. i am not :smokin: for thinking of spending 700 on the D44 housing.. if you read it correctly it would already have the TJ perches welded on...thats not a bad deal...IMO. I think the choice has been made... 8.8m welded tubes, MORE brackets and I will be under the Jeep for now.. the Detroit and f/r r/ps will come at tax time...The one I located has the 3.73 to match the front so I can at least install it and run then go from there....

Everyone needs to relax....I just wanted somw fresh info on the 8.8...

milkman

I have a 8.8 behind a 400 hp V-8. I have not broken it and I drive it like I stole it!! :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Doc Johnson
I have a 8.8 behind a 400 hp V-8. I have not broken it and I drive it like I stole it!! :flipoff2:

Do you wheel that thing?

The 8.8 housings are the weak spot. 8,8 is just the Ford version of the AMC M20.

Originally posted by cybersniper
The 2.5 guy that broke it would have broken a D60 either.... thats for sure...

You get me drunk enough and I can break about anything! :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Oxjockey


Do you wheel that thing?

The 8.8 housings are the weak spot. 8,8 is just the Ford version of the AMC M20.

Ummmm Ya!! :flipoff2:

another vote for the 8.8

Put some 33 spline shafts along with a full spool, Truss it to all hell, and don't forget to get a beefy diff cover, the stocker is like paper.

I've seen a TJ D44 go with 33s:p

8.8 for sure!! i personaly think that the 8.8 is damn near as strong as the 9" which is what i would go with before i go with the 8.8....just my bs


Sean

Originally posted by Foolsize
8.8 for sure!! i personaly think that the 8.8 is damn near as strong as the 9" which is what i would go with before i go with the 8.8....just my bs


Sean


the 9" has a real low pinion...unless you get the HP

8.8 is BIG like jeff said.........the R/P are huge. i have had no problems with mine on 37's and some heavy rocks. true on the stock diff cover though----POS. i have a guard on mine so problem solved.

thanks for all the input..

I am picking up my 8.8 probably over the weekend.. I am ordering the brackets from MORE after pay day..

milkman

weld your tubes if you go 8.8:

mine broke (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187609&highlight=8.8+tech)