8.8" Axle Questions

[91XJ4ltr]

What year did Explorers start coming with rear Disc Brakes, and also what is the spline count on the disc brake equipped models? What is the distance from spring pad to spring pad? And Finally has this axle ever came with a 3.55 gear ratio? 4.10? I'm looking to swap out my Chrysler 8.25" axle for one of these, as from what I've read they're beefier than a D44 AND I can get disc brakes If you could let me know I'd greatly Appreciate it. Thanks in Advance

 

[jimbo74]

i think 95 not sure about the other stuff though. also i am not sure a d44 is weaker than a 8.8 but i think they are around the same. also anything with enough modification will beat anything without. hope that made sense...

 

[leebo]

1995 was the first year. The ford 8.8 is about as strong and as the 44 and can be found very easy. It's a very common upgrade for the J@@ps. Most of the axle splines were 31, however I'm not 100% sure on that one. It's rare at best on the 3.55, but they did come with them. Look for a code "45" on them....they don't have posi in them though.....but I'm sure an ARB would fit nicely in them.

I would like to take a minute to welcome you to the site. Even though you may be a J@@per, we welcome everybody. Welcome.

 

[Clint]

it's good to see a jeeper not nockin on all are trucks because i don't knock on jeeps hell i am building an old willys for the trails and i know that some other people are to on here

 

[leebo]

I guess I should answer all your questions. They also come with a 4.10 also(axle code 42) If anything these are easier to find. I'd suggest going to any juckyard and finding an explorer with the gear ratio you want. Be forwarned though....most that I've seen have 3.73 in them. If you can only find an older on(91- 95) don't worry about the brakes. A company I'm sure you've heard of, Currie, makes a kit that has everything you need to get them. Good Luck.

 

[GJarrett]

The relative strength is similar to a new Dana44 and greatly superior to the older Dana44s. All Explorer axles no matter what year are 31 spline. '95 was the year that switched to disk brakes. Both 3.55 and 4.10 are available; the 4.10 will have a factory Trac-Loc limited slip in it. Before you pooh-pooh that, be aware that the TracLocs installed in these axles work very well for a LSD and operate much better than the "craploc" TracLoc that Jeep puts in the Dana30. If you are upping your tire size go for the 4.10 since the 3.55 may feel underpowered in your vehicle with big tires.

PS: I see you live in Plano. Are you a member of FWD-FWD?

 

[91XJ4ltr]

Originally posted by GJarrett


PS: I see you live in Plano. Are you a member of FWD-FWD?

No I'm not a member but I wheel with their members on a regular basis. Thanks for the welcome everyone, I try to visit as many forums as possible because they all involve wheeling and that's what I'm into! Not Brand/model Bashing. Most of the time I just try and offer help on general things that any 4x4 would need advice on. I've seen a few built Explorers cruising around Plano, and let me tell you they look nice Thanks for the all the info, I'll be hitting up the Junkyards soon. By the way I'm mainly looking for an open carrier with 4.10's so I can install a Detroit and be done with it. However Do they make an ARB for this axle? Once again Thanks for the info!

PS The only reason I don't like the Trac-loc in my 8.25" is because it's an LSD (and it's worn out), I would prefer a full case locker any time.

 

[91XJ4ltr]

Willy's??

Originally posted by CMartin91
it's good to see a jeeper not nockin on all are trucks because i don't knock on jeeps hell i am building an old willys for the trails and i know that some other people are to on here

What all are you doing to the Willy's?? I love the old flatfenders myself, and one of these days I hope to be building one myself. I wish more Jeepers were as open minded as you guys!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi David and let me also welcome you to the site.
Be sure that you don't get a Ford 8.8 from a Ranger as they are 27 spline and not the 31 spline that comes in the Explorers. Yes you can get an ARB for an 8.8. In fact they were just redesigned and are much better than the old air locker I currently have the new redesigned ARB in my truck. It is possible to get an open 4.10 rear end, but they are rare. If the tag is still on the pumpkin, it should read 410 and not 4L10 for the first digits on the tag.
I see that you are looking to get an AtlasII. Let me tell you that they are great. Just make sure that you make sure that you tighten the shift rails after you adjust them as they will loosen up on you, but other than that they work great. I would suggest that you go for the 4.2, better crawling ratio.

 

[Clint]

i finished and old jeep with stock axles with wrangler springs with soa and custom two piece shackles but with my new one i am going full out with 1/4 elliptic rear(stock wrangler springs) and the soa wrangler springs with a shackle reversa,l 5.0 mustang EFI motor,not sure on tranny but iam keeping the awsome dana 18 ,scout dana 44's,and some other goodies since iam only 18 and it took 2 years to finish it i am expecting another 2 years because of school and a job i will post some pics of the heap so everyone can see what i am doing

 

[91XJ4ltr]

Originally posted by Ray Lobato
Hi David and let me also welcome you to the site.
Be sure that you don't get a Ford 8.8 from a Ranger as they are 27 spline and not the 31 spline that comes in the Explorers. I see that you are looking to get an AtlasII. Let me tell you that they are great. Just make sure that you make sure that you tighten the shift rails after you adjust them as they will loosen up on you, but other than that they work great. I would suggest that you go for the 4.2, better crawling ratio.

Thanks for the info on Ranger 8.8 vs Ex. 8.8! I had already called a few yards about both of them. One more question on these axles, Can you get Alloy shafts fairly easily or are they a custom only affair? About the Atlas, I'm getting the 3.8:1 at a fairly good discount that wasn't available on the 4.3:1 so I'll live with "only" having 3.8 low range