Okay I know theres a differance in the Explorer rear ends, the 95 up had disc barkes and 31 spline axles. What I want to know is if you have a 28 spline rear end can you cange out the axles to the 31 splines by replacing with a 31 spline differential, 31 spline diff spiders or by installing a 31 spline ez locker? As far as I can tell the axle bearings are the same. I'm also planning to run a 6 bolt lug patern so I'm thinking about having axles made with the 6 bolt lug patern and splines.

The axle bearings are NOT the same.

If you are having custom shafts made, they can be made with the 28 spline wheelbearing size, but with 31 splines. Then you just need the 31 spline diff.

and ALL explorer axles are 31 spline, not just 95+

not to hi-jack this thread, but seeing how the bearings are different btwn 28 and 31 spline shafts. Is is just the id of the bearings or is the od different? Can I put a 31 spline axles with it's bearings in an 28 spline housing, or are the housing ends different btwn the two?

not to hi-jack this thread, but seeing how the bearings are different btwn 28 and 31 spline shafts. Is is just the id of the bearings or is the od different? Can I put a 31 spline axles with it's bearings in an 28 spline housing, or are the housing ends different btwn the two?

Both ID and OD are different.
Haven't seen a conversion bearing that will allow a 28 spline 8.8 accept a 31 spline shaft.