researching the 8.8 swap

IH8DSM · 02-13-2012, 08:36 AM

Couple reasons im going fc subframe in the front, mine needs to be rebuilt, and im going to try to go turbo next year so this way it'll be beefed up rear end and ill have tons of diff choices

So far from what I've read se rear ends are only good for like 350 I want a little more then that and im wanting to go to a better gear then a 411. I know there heavier but id rather have a little overkill

sleeper7 · 02-13-2012, 09:10 PM

In the middle of installing a 96 explorer rear end in a 1st gen. Narrowed the driverside axle tube to the same length as the passenger side. Puts the pinion in the center of the trans tunnel.

http://am.wrex-racing.com/index.php?topic=1314.30

First time doing this and not one who cares about how it looks, as long as the job get done.

chuck

mattallac · 02-14-2012, 12:40 AM

the 8.8 rear ends are almost the same as a 10 bolt chevy , just wondering why the ford 8 " with 28 splines are not the popular choice :1.same axels as the early 9" 2.easy to get parts 3. no "c"clips 4.you can set up the 3rd member out of the housing ,so 3rd member swaps for gears is quick and easy(about an hour).

sleeper7 · 02-14-2012, 10:25 AM

Reason for me going with a 8.8 out of a explorer was (200$) cost, pick n pull is full of them and easy install. The explorer comes with 31 spine axles and a gear ratio I can live with. 3.73 LSD. The extra short axle cost a extra 20$. IMHO at 2400/2500 lbs the c-clip eliminators are not a must have option. I will never break a 31 spline axle. The stock turboII trans will break first.

If kept at factory length a 8 inch wide wheel would work well with a 6+ inch offset. The pinion offsets to the passenger side but is doable. Narrowing the drivers side put the pinion in the middle of the tunnel. And Since the rear end is shorter my options for wheels and offset are greater. 8 inch wide with 5.5 offset and a one inch spacer puts the wheel/tire perfectly in the wheel well. Going to try and fit a 9 inch wheel with 5.5 offset under the car after everything is done. Just not sure if I want to roll the fenders.

02-13-2012, 08:36 AM	#1
IH8DSM RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 610 Rep Power: 18	Couple reasons im going fc subframe in the front, mine needs to be rebuilt, and im going to try to go turbo next year so this way it'll be beefed up rear end and ill have tons of diff choices So far from what I've read se rear ends are only good for like 350 I want a little more then that and im wanting to go to a better gear then a 411. I know there heavier but id rather have a little overkill __________________ 85 rx7 gsl-se - AA tags/ never ending project will never run

02-13-2012, 09:10 PM	#2
sleeper7 The Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	In the middle of installing a 96 explorer rear end in a 1st gen. Narrowed the driverside axle tube to the same length as the passenger side. Puts the pinion in the center of the trans tunnel. http://am.wrex-racing.com/index.php?topic=1314.30 First time doing this and not one who cares about how it looks, as long as the job get done. chuck

02-14-2012, 12:40 AM	#3
mattallac Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: crockett ca. Posts: 176 Rep Power: 0	the 8.8 rear ends are almost the same as a 10 bolt chevy , just wondering why the ford 8 " with 28 splines are not the popular choice :1.same axels as the early 9" 2.easy to get parts 3. no "c"clips 4.you can set up the 3rd member out of the housing ,so 3rd member swaps for gears is quick and easy(about an hour).

02-14-2012, 10:25 AM	#4
sleeper7 The Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Reason for me going with a 8.8 out of a explorer was (200$) cost, pick n pull is full of them and easy install. The explorer comes with 31 spine axles and a gear ratio I can live with. 3.73 LSD. The extra short axle cost a extra 20$. IMHO at 2400/2500 lbs the c-clip eliminators are not a must have option. I will never break a 31 spline axle. The stock turboII trans will break first. If kept at factory length a 8 inch wide wheel would work well with a 6+ inch offset. The pinion offsets to the passenger side but is doable. Narrowing the drivers side put the pinion in the middle of the tunnel. And Since the rear end is shorter my options for wheels and offset are greater. 8 inch wide with 5.5 offset and a one inch spacer puts the wheel/tire perfectly in the wheel well. Going to try and fit a 9 inch wheel with 5.5 offset under the car after everything is done. Just not sure if I want to roll the fenders.