I have a line on a 8.8 rearend out of a 1996 mustang. It has a bent housing, but the brakes, axleshafts and so on are all fine. The 8.8 in my Jeep is out of a 96 Explorer. Are these axles the same width? Any other differences between them?

Anyone? I can get the axle for free, but I gotta let the dude know within the hour. I tried searching, but couldn't find the answer.

the stang shafts should be 28 spline.

ALL explorer 8.8s are 31 spline (either disc or drum)
while Ranger 8.8s are 28 spline.
ask rick horowitz (explorer) on the board.
To say he's an explorer expert would be a dramatic understatement.

I don't know jack about 8.8's, but while I was trying to learn, I found this:

http://www.coolcats.net/tech/general/axleinfo.html
8.8" Mustang (4-lug) interchanges with Ford Ranger (5-lug) - 2 passenger side shafts only

Take it for what it's worth