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Ford 8.8 swap questions

8K views 42 replies 11 participants last post by  Jerry Bransford 
#1 ·
Hello all :wavey:

I tossed an ad on Craigslist looking for a Ford 8.8 to swap in my TJ so I could get rid of the D35 I have. First offer I had is this:

"I have a complete rear axle out of a 96 explorer. 3.73 gear ratio, posi traction in good condition. It has the brake line and hoses for the axle and the parking brake cables. The parking brake shoes and disc brake pads are worn but usable. I just had the rotors machined and they are in good shape. I also replaced the rear axle seals so the rear cover is off and will need to be installed and fluid replaced. Gears, axles, bearings, posi clutches and housing look good. I am located in Burlington CT. just over the Farmington town line. I am looking to get $500.00 for the complete assembly."

I know I would still need to buy all the brackets for it which ends up being around $250. Is $500 an OK deal for an 8.8? My buddy can help me weld (i never did this before) the brackets on as he is doing the same for his.

Are there any other items I need to do the swap?

Only other question at the moment is that I had a Tom Wood driveshaft put in. Is the way it bolts to the pinion gear the same as the D35?
 
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#2 ·
That is a little pricey. You can run to a junkyard and get it much cheaper. FYI I was selling my 8.8 out of my Mustang a while back for 150 bucks-- with a auburn pro 3.73's and alloy shafts.
 
#4 ·
try local junkyards. Even pick n pulls have a ton of fords or even chevy's. You can toss a 14 bolt in there too. They are all over the place.
 
#8 ·
I'm kind of out of the 8.8 thing since finding a D44 so I no longer have a good handle on the right model years to look for but what you need to do is make sure you're getting the version that has 31 spline axle shafts. Not all do, some only come with 29 spline axle shafts which of course are far less desireable. :)
 
#9 ·
All explorers ave 31 spline. 96 and newer have disks and lsd with 3.73 gears. Mustangs and rangers are hit or miss for 28 or 31 spline. The yoke is different from a d35 but can easily be changed. The parking brake doesn't fit without an adapter (not ard to fab or buy from MORE) and I've found 'em in yards for $125.
 
#11 ·
i wouldn't use an Explorer 8.8 because it has an offset differential. your TJ has a centered differential.

i'm planning on putting an 8.8 in my TJ, but i'm going to use one from a fox chassis Mustang (86-93). you'd need to swap to 5 lug, but that's easy enough with junkyard parts. granted it would still have drum brakes, but the Mustang aftermarket is HUGE and bolt on disc brakes are easy to get (not that you really need rear discs). also the width of it is within 1/4" of the D35, and with a c-clip eliminator kit, you're just dead on stock width for a TJ.
 
#13 ·
Jerry, yes the stock mustang 8.8 is 28 spline but many are upgrading them to 31 spline. Booger who cares if the Exploder 8.8 is a little offset. It's not going to hurt anything. There are literally hundreds of jeeps running around with them with no ill affects. Mine works great.
 
#17 ·
you have to swap the fox axles anyway, so why not upgrade when you replace the carrier? it's not a stock for stock swap. the end product is what you make it. why go to the trouble of swapping it and keep an Exploder Track Lok? it seems to me if you go to the trouble of beefing it up, you'd put in a locker...

personally i'd rather have my driveshaft stay straight instead of 2 inches to the passenger side. you'll replace less u joints in the long run...

and coyote, just because lots of people do it, it doesn't make it the best way.

i'd swap in a D44 if it wasn't cheaper in the long run for me to use a fox Mustang 8.8. i know it's not for everyone, but it works for me and you can't say i don't have solid reasons for why i picked what i did.
 
#16 ·
You don't need to swap out the yoke just get the yoke piece thingy off of the explorer driveshaft and press your Ujoint into it then bolt it to the rearend. 8.8's have a flat yoke with bolt holes. I've had my 8.8 for about 5 months now and i love it. Got the drum brakes and can't complain, used stock e-brake lines and everything :D went in very easily. Got my brackets from mad4x4 great quality 3/16 stuff! :D
 
#37 ·
I agree. The I think flange yokes are much stronger and easier to work with if you have to do a trail repair.

Odd, that you all mention the 3.23 stuf etc....All of the 8.8's I've seen out here have either been 3.73 or 4.10.
 
#20 ·
the 8.8 itself is free... i've been into Mustangs for years so i have tons of parts laying around. however, going price in my area for one would be $100-$150.

i'd then hit the junkyard for two driver's side Ranger/Explorer axles and the 31 spline carrier. that would be roughly $100 total for axles, drums, and a carrier with Trak Lok.
 
#22 ·
Oh, well free is a different story altogether. :cool:

The only thing left would be a setup kit for the ring and pinion. I can see how that could be close to the same cost as an exploder 8.8. In regards to the average joe installing a fox 8.8, I can see only one other drawback and that is paying someone to setup the ring and pinion. That is not something most people can or will do. Yes for some it will be unavoidable but there are enough toasted exploders floating around that one could (without too much trouble) find a rear end with the same gears they are currently running.

So I will partially concede. Provided your prices are average throughout the US its possible to build a fox 8.8 for about the cost of an exploder 8.8. BUT, it would require more labor and it's not something the average person would be able to do on their own.

Oh, what's the width of a fox 8.8? Is it the same as the exploder one?
 
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