Questions about spooling an 8.8 | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Questions about spooling an 8.8

andyr354

New Member
Joined
February 12, 2003
Messages
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City, State
Mahaska, KS
Year, Model & Trim Level
89 Jeep Cherokee
Hopefully you will answer the questions of a Jeeper. I am considering putting a 95+ explorer rear in my XJ. Was wondering what modifications are needed to spool this axle. Didn't really wanna invest in all the cash for a locker when the jeep is not driven on the street.
 



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Hi Andy and welcome to the site.
Well I have never used a spool, but i would imagine that it wouldn't be any harder to put one in than it would be for any locker. The ARB is somewhat a spool.
Putting a 8.8 in your XJ will definately strengthen your ride.
 






Weld up the spider gears, the easiest, quickest way to spool it. Why pay someone $$$$ to install a spool when you can just weld 'em up, or get a mini-spool from Randy's Ring and Pinion, they should be under 50 bucks I believe, and they install in less than an hour. That is unless you're regearing, then might as well spend a few bucks to get a full spool.
 






Just remember the 8.8" is a C-clip axle. The mini-spool won't get rid of that.
 






The c-clips don't bother me to much, since the calipers will hold the axles in if I would ever happen to somehow break one.
If I weld it is it still posible to get the axleshafts out? Not familiar with how the axle is put together.

Guess then I should just get one from a 95 or newer to get the 31 spline axles and disks. Get a 4.10 ratio and no trac-loc. Then proceed with the lincoln:)
 






The first gen explorers came with 31 spine shafts too, just drums on the rear. I see a few of the Explorer axles on ebay evey now and again. 95+ 8.8 w/ 4.10's, completly rebuilt with new brakes for like 500ish. Then there are a few with lockers in them for like 700. Check on ebay for it, it is a company that refurbishes them.

Chris
 






Found one out of a 98 for $450. Is a 4.10 ratio, getting all brake lines, spring plates, ebrake cables, and has 58K miles on it.
At a local salvage yard. It was still in the explorer that had a front end collision, looks good.
 






That sounds like a pretty sweet deal! That will be a nice upgrade for your Jeep, good luck with it and let us know how it turns out with your spool if you choose to go that route!

Happy trails!!
 






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