4 wheel adventures rating our axles

[TwoToneX]

I was looking through the Four Wheel Adventures magazine that came out recently. For those that don't know, it's the magazine made for customers of 4 Wheel Parts. They have a "Spotters Guide To Axles" and this month they did Ford axles. I was looking through it and they have strength ratings for all Ford axles. The D35 TTB was strength rated at 3+ and the 8.8 was rated at 3. I know the TTB is a strong axle in comparison to other IFS systems, but stronger than the 8.8? And isn't the 8.8 a pretty strong axle as far as straight axles are concerned? Also, the TTB was rated higher or as high as other solid axles like the Dana 44...

I like my TTB (as much as I can while trying to replace it with a solid axle ) but a strength rating that rivals Dana 44's and 8.8's seems a little off to me. Anybody else read it? What do you guys think?

 

[jobunn]

I read it too and you're right I was a little surprised. They also gave the Ford 8.8 the same strength rating as the D35 IFS on the 2nd gen explorer!!! And a maximum of a 35" tire?

There was another axle comparison recently in "Four Wheeler" magazine that likened the 8.8 to a Dana 60 with a max of a 37" tire. More like it.

 

[410Fortune]

I think the TTB D35 is strong as far as gears, axles, beams go, but as far as wheel bearing spacing they sucked it up big time.

I dont think that magazine did a good job, the 8.8 is a very strong axle, only weak point is the pinion support.

Could it be they rated a 28 spline Mustang 8.8?
The 31 spline is just that much stronger.

I would like to know what they are basing their ratings on, ring and pinion strength? Because its obviously not based on tires size ratio to strength.......

 

[RFR2212]

Originally posted by jobunn
There was another axle comparison recently in "Four Wheeler" magazine that likened the 8.8 to a Dana 60 with a max of a 37" tire. More like it.

Maybe a 16 spline model.... A 35spline is alot stronger than an 8.8 rear end.


8.8 also has C-clips bonus point aren't made with that...

 

[jobunn]

Originally posted by RFR2212
Maybe a 16 spline model.... A 35spline is alot stronger than an 8.8 rear end.


8.8 also has C-clips bonus point aren't made with that...

Well, the likening was only that the 8.8 and D60 have about the same pinion diameter, so you're right not really like each other in most ways.

 

[james t]

looks like someone made a few typo's too me... the 8.8 31 spline is considerably stronger than a D35 TTB... even with C clips... but then again, what were the test criteria? ring gear size alone? axle diameter?

and a 35 TTB is as strong as or stronger than a D44 solid? thats just crazy talk there. even the weak stock early bronc 44's are considerably stronger than a 35 TTB. upgrade the shafts and run 297 joints and you are set with a eb 44. FYI- its the outer stub shafts that are weak on these models, not the inner shaft.

the 31 spline 8.8 is very comparable to a 31 spline 9"... and we all know how strong those are.

 

[TwoToneX]

Originally posted by 410Fortune
Could it be they rated a 28 spline Mustang 8.8?
The 31 spline is just that much stronger.

They rated both the 28 and 31 spline, both were given strength ratings of 3. I left the magazine in my car, I'll go get it and come back and tell you guys everything it said...

edit - actually i'm leaving right now, so i'll post it later tonight

 

[RangerX]

I saw that article. They gave a strength rating (1-5) and a max tire diameter for each axle.
I thought it odd that they gave the TTB-D35 a 3+/33"max, and the TTB-D44 a 3/35"max.

Some more #s:

28spline 8.8 3/33"max

31spline 8.8 3/35"max

IFS-D35 3/33"max

28spline 9" 3/33"max

31spline 9" 4/35"max

The article also gives a paragraph or two on each axle, giving the strong and weak points on each.

 

[Rick]

One of the other rags rated the 8.8" for up to 37" tires in a recent issue.

 

[james t]

i think their system has major flaws. an IFS Dana 35 has the exact same rating/max tire as a 28 spline 9". that is just way off in my eyes. i have a 28 spline 9" with a spool and 35's, and that is the only thing on my rig (other than transfer) that hasnt broken. by all means, with 35's and a spool, i should be breaking axles left and right. and believe me, i abuse it.

their rating system is complete bullsh!t.

 

[taxx]

I read that too. didn't make since. I consistanly rear things rating the 8.8 for up to a 37 in stock form. Oh well, just trying to sell more "upgrades" I guess.

Crazy Sam has some pretty Crazy Specials this month too.