New Rear axle question?

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » January 20, 2008, 4:46 pm

Ok I scored a 93 explorer 3:73 8.8" posi/LS rear end for $100 bucks. I shaved the pads got some new ones and stuck it in. Looks good and now I have the same bolt pattern as my Aero front end. Just by looking at facts and figures, My 62 Uni has a 61" wide axle and the explorer is about 59.5" give or take.

Now my question is wheels? Backspacing? I put on a couple of Ranger rims I had which are a common 3.5 backspace and they are close, very close to the wheel well. Has anyone had a similar problem or can someone tell me if I should get a wider rear? I just don't want to cut my wells unless its a last resort.
Mike

Jarrod · Post by **Jarrod** » January 20, 2008, 4:55 pm

the 8.8 is a common swap in jeeps since the track width is close but the 8.8 is about 1.5 inches narrower. THe cheap and easy thing to do is if the front is going to be wider than the rear is to get hub spacers. I know that it is not the ideal solution but a company called spidertrax makes them out of billit aluminum and the are a great product. I ran some on a jeep xj I had with an 8.8 on the rear. I ran 35 inch tires and didn't even know they were there. The 8.8 was 1.5 inches narrower than the dana 30 in the front so I got the 3/4 inch one on each side. not enough to make a difference.

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » January 20, 2008, 10:13 pm

Has anyone here used an 8.8 in a slick?

JFCDeuce · Post by **JFCDeuce** » January 21, 2008, 1:26 am

I may do it soon, I've got a potential Mustang rear with a posi.. (I think its got a 4.11) it would be ideal in my truck... havn't looked into all the bugs yet though...

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » January 21, 2008, 8:35 am

in reality Fords 9" is the better way to go but hard to do with the small bolt pattern unless redrilling the axles is a option

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 21, 2008, 10:12 am

My Old uni had an 8.8. no problems behind a 351w at all. I believe it was from an LTD

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » January 21, 2008, 10:21 am

yes it will work as long as drive it with some sense hot rod a little but not hard like the place is on fire

Jarrod · Post by **Jarrod** » January 21, 2008, 2:08 pm

Those little 8.8's are stronger than you think. I have seen them survive at the rear end of a 10 second mustang. THere is plenty of after market support. They are a C clip axle, so you need to be carefull there but they are stronger than a dana 44. THey hold up real well to the torque generated in a rock crawler as well with the gear multiplcation and being wedged in a rock. Everything will break if you try hard enough. Its never going to be as strong as a 9 inch

Fanatic · Post by **Fanatic** » January 21, 2008, 4:07 pm

Mike, if you already have the wheels you want then spacers would work fine . Measure where you want the wheels to be and you can get many different thicknesses.

WORD OF CAUTION The ideal setup is to have 1/2" of stud coming thru the wheel for proper torque on lugs. You may need to install longer studs in order to meet this.

If you are going to buy new wheels ---then they can be bought with many diff back spacings

Tim

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » January 21, 2008, 9:18 pm

Thanks for the inf guys. If anyone was curious about an explorer 8.8, in my research I found that all Explorers are posi and 31- spline. I have no worries at all how it will hold up.
Thanks again.
Mike

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » January 21, 2008, 9:40 pm

hey chopper couple of weeks ago at one of insurance austions I go to met a guy there that he uses the explorer/expeditions to build the 48-52 trucks takes all the sheet metal off the frame then makes some brackets for the cab/front end, then cuts the frame of the explorer/expeditions off slides the original back half into the newer frame welds it up, then installs the later rear end on it and then there is all of his mounting brackets for the bed already there now that I think is pretty slick?

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » January 21, 2008, 10:29 pm

Like to see some pics of that!