Blown 8.8 -- 9 Inch Here I Come!

[Explorerdude]

Hey Guys,
Haven't been on here for a while... Those roll over pics in the whoops section look pretty good. I must say the one in the Snake River Canyon took the cake though.

Anyway... I have a slight dilima that I need help decideing what to do with. I blew my rear in my Explorer last week. Since it happened I have priced out a couple different things I could do...

Option one...
ARB Locker front and rear of my stock carriers with 4.10 gears... Price installed and wired in... $3,200.00. Toughness factor - 8 out of 10

Option two...
Repair the broken spider and side gears in my rear keeping the stock 3.73 gears. Estimated Price - $450.00
Toughness factor - 1 out of 10

Option three...
Have the rear fixed keeping the gears and have an auburn limited slip installed. Estimated Price - $ 750.00 - 800.00.
Toughness factor - 5 out of 10

Option four...
Purchasing a 9 inch rear from the junk yard, replacing the center section and having the rear cut down to fit my truck and installing it.
Estimated price $1300.00.
Toughness factor - 9 out of 10

The 9 inch swap seems to be the most reliable thing over installing an ARB in the 8.8. I like ARB's but a 9 inch definately has it's advantages over the 8.8. Have any of you done the 9 inch swap?? What are some things to look for, over having gears changed to match my current gears and changeing the brakes from drum to disc? How complicated is doing the swap?

Any suggestions or leads to info on how to do the swap would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Joe
1994 Explorer XLT
4" Superlift Suspension Lift
Flowmaster II Exahust
33X10.50 BFG AT KO's

 

[RobbieJ]

Option 5 buy a powertrax no slip for the rear 375.00 and a lockrite for the front 220.00. Then have both ends regeared with 4.56s. The swap is not that complicated but its going to cost you. 9" from junk yard 500 disc brake conversion 400 cutting axle 200 new axle shafts with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattren 200. ARB 650, gears 175 Arb compressor 190. Install kit 70. Plus brakelines, parking brake, spring perches etc.. just something else to think about Robbie

 

[FAKRWEE]

I think I might have a solution depending on where you live. I have a complete 8.8 axle with 4:10s and an auburn limited slip. I took it off when I installed the 9in. in the rear. I'll sell the whole setup for $600.00 plus shipping. That way it will be a straight out swap for you. It hasn't been used in a couple of years. It needs to be taken apart and the oil changed. No big deal. The 8.8in. is a good pumpkin. Swapping out to bigger is overkill, unless you plan to install 38s.

Let me know what you think.
Tom (FAKRWEE)

 

[Explorerdude]

Thanks for the info!

I appreaciate the offer on the 8.8 FAKRWEE but I'm located in Maryland and the freight to get it here would be outragous. I'm leaning more towards Option 5. I talked it over with the shop I deal with and they said that a 9 inch installed would run me about 2500. I think I'm going to save my dough and put an auburn in the rear for now and then get a Dana 44 installed here in a couple months. If my pinion gear is screwed I think I'm just going to have it regeared to 4.10's or 4.56's front and rear add in a locker to the front and call it a day. I appreciate the imput guys!
FAKRWEE -
Did you do a spring over? If so how much lift did it gain you? Also, do you have a Dana 44 in the front??

Happy Wheelin',

Joe