Interested in a Full Floating 8.8?

DB_1 · August 17, 2003

There has been success in getting products made for Explorers/Rangers on here such as T-cases and various lockers but ever since I saw an article on a full floating axle kit for the 8.8 axle, i've wanted one for my Ranger.
The only problem is, it's for a full size 8.8 axle so it wont work for the Explorer/Ranger due to the longer length of the axle shafts. The kit is made by Warn but if you ask me, I would think there is more of a market for a full float kit for our axles than the full size.

So why not just put in a D44 or D60 in the rear? Well, I've already invested a lot of money into my 8.8 and with a full float kit it would be considerably stronger.
I figure with as many Ex's and Rangers out there wheelin' they would be interested in this too...not to mention all the jeeps swaping in 8.8's as well.

My first choice would be to ask Warn...but other choices would be Superior, Moser, or Currie. As far as I know Warn is the only aftermarket mfg. making full floating axle kits for anything.

Anyone else interested in getting this going?

I looked on the Warn website, looks like they discontinued the full size 8.8 kit but they have them for D35, D44, D60 and Ford 9". Most of those kits are listed for jeeps...see any favoritism there?

Byrd91 · August 18, 2003

I was just reading a thread about full float kits. Warn has indeed discontinued theirs, but there is another company that apparently has one. Give me a sec I'll find it.

Here it is.

Dead Link Removed

james t · August 18, 2003

Originally posted by DB_1
I saw an article on a full floating axle kit for the 8.8 axle, i've wanted one for my Ranger.
The only problem is, it's for a full size 8.8 axle so it wont work for the Explorer/Ranger due to the longer length of the axle shafts.

why couldnt you just have the full width axles cut down and re-splined? a friend of mine did this on a D44 early bronc. got a junkyard set of truck D44 inner/outers and sent the inners off to Moser and had them cut down and re-splined. didnt cost much either.

JoshC · August 18, 2003

So what exactly does full floating mean??

NOTAJP · August 18, 2003

Originally posted by JoshC
So what exactly does full floating mean??

In a standard axle design, for example the Ford 8.8, the weight of the vehicle is carried by the axle. The axle has the job of distributing torgue from the engine to the wheels for fwd motion plus maintain the weight. A floating design is just that. The axle 'floats' in the housing between the bearings. The axle bearings maintain the weight of the vehicle. Therefore allowing the axle to only feel the stress of the torque of the engine thus the extreemely strong design. In this setup, had an axle ever break while wheeling (assuming one has a locker) the axle could be removed and the vehicle driven home.

Clear as mud?

Hopefully you can make sense of my rambeling...

RFR2212 · August 18, 2003

the stock 8.8 axles are held in with c-clips. these can break and the axles can fall out. with a full float design the axle shafts are bolted in so to speak, and if the shaft snaps, the axle will stay in the housing, so as you can limp back to fix the shaft... that was my quick and simple explination but not 100% perfect on the description... but a simple and quick

NOTAJP · August 18, 2003

Not just the C-clip. If a 9" breaks an axle, it'll still come out of the housing. A full foater will aleave any worries that's for sure.

JoshC · August 18, 2003

Okay, that helps some!

james t · August 18, 2003

Originally posted by NOTAJP
Not just the C-clip. If a 9" breaks an axle, it'll still come out of the housing. A full foater will aleave any worries that's for sure.

eh, sorta. really depends on were on the axle it breaks. if it breaks past the bearing its coming off. if it breaks inside, its not going anywere. not really driveable per-say, but you'll still have a wheel on the truck.

DB_1 · August 18, 2003

Originally posted by Byrd91
I was just reading a thread about full float kits. Warn has indeed discontinued theirs, but there is another company that apparently has one. Give me a sec I'll find it.

Here it is.

Dead Link Removed

I was just looking at their website but nowhere did i see a kit specificly listed for the 8.8....there is one listed as "all applications", maybe they mean they can custom make these for almost any axle and length you want?
Price on that is $799.00

NOTAJP · August 18, 2003

I have talked to Dan Mitchell before, really nice guy. He has several kits available for the Explorer 8.8 rear. He emailed me a few months ago stating that their 5x4.5" kit should be out soon. This will also work with Drum and Disc brakes. I sent him another email today to find an update.

SteveVB · August 18, 2003

Ill try the full floating axle description

In the 8.8, the wheel and tire is bolted to a flanged axle shaft which rides in a bearing that bears on the axle tube- the weight of the vehicle is supported by the axle through this axle bearing.
In the 8.8 the axle shaft has two jobs- support the vehicle, and transmit power from the diff.

In a full floating axle, the axle housing has a spindle attached which holds a hub and bearing unit which the tire and wheel mount on.(like the front end- all front ends are full floating) This hub and bearing unit suppport the weight of the vehicle.
The axle shaft floats between the hub and the differential carrier-its only job to transmit power from the diff to the wheel.
The hub/bearing assembly supports the vehicle

to add to the head spin...

DB_1 · August 18, 2003

NOTAJP, so i assume they currently have a kit for a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern currently? The reason I ask is because i've had my stock 8.8 on my Ranger modified by Currie.
Here's what I had done:

Widened 2" each side
Big Bearing ends
31 spline Currie axleshafts w/31 spline L/S carrier, 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern
(I know I know, should've put in a locker...lol)
10" drum brakes

Thanks for everyones input by the way...it just may save some headaches trying to get one going from another mfg.

NOTAJP · August 18, 2003

Originally posted by DB_1
NOTAJP, so i assume they currently have a kit for a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern currently?

Yep, and the 5x4.5 was supposed to be abailable in June, though I haven't heard from him in a while.

CoryL · August 18, 2003

Just swap in a D60, it's probably cheaper.

DB_1 · August 19, 2003

But then I'd want a full float kit in that as well and i'm back in the same boat...lol.

CoryL · August 19, 2003

Originally posted by DB_1
But then I'd want a full float kit in that as well and i'm back in the same boat...lol.

Most 60s are full floaters already...

But it won't be a 5 on 4.5 pattern that everyone seems to love to keep.

RFR2212 · August 19, 2003

Originally posted by CoryL
Most 60s are full floaters already...

But it won't be a 5 on 4.5 pattern that everyone seems to love to keep.

But that pattern is so hot! I think 800 bucks to make an 8.8 a full floater is a waste of money, a large waste.

james t · August 19, 2003

Originally posted by RFR2212
I think 800 bucks to make an 8.8 a full floater is a waste of money, a large waste.

considering you could find a junkyard 60 or 14bolt for $300.... yes, its a huge waste. for $800 you could get either out of a junkyard and stuff gears and a locker in it.

CoryL · August 19, 2003

Originally posted by james t
considering you could find a junkyard 60 or 14bolt for $300.... yes, its a huge waste. for $800 you could get either out of a junkyard and stuff gears and a locker in it.

I've purchased rear 60s for under $100 before.

Then you have a rear axle capable of handling up to 44" tires, geared and locked for $800. Add another $400 and you can have discs.

Then you are halfway (in terms of axles) to having a kick ass trail rig. Just add a front axle and start wheeling the piss out of it.

$800 for a full floater on an 8.8" is like paying to have fat strippers give you a lapdance; you end up unsatisfied and unable to get your money back.

Interested in a Full Floating 8.8?

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