8.8 Thoughts and question

[jakedog]

OK, So if you cut 3 inches off the long tube , you end up up with the rearend being 2 wider still. correct ? So what if i cut 4 inches off the long side and 1 inch off the short side. and then send 2 long side axles ( not using the shorts like typically done ) to moser to be shortened and resplined for $125 plus shipping .. Now I end up with a stock width rearend ........... I would be basically taking 4 inches of each axle . Now there is no messing around with all sorts of backspacing and end up with a better looking front spacing on the rim.

Any thoughts ????? Anyone ?????

[Rickracer]

If you're gonna go that route, just use 9" big bearing (Torino) housing ends and 31 spline 9" axles, then you don't need c-clip eliminators either. :cool4:
I've already got an 8.8 (one side) narrowed for my truck, but I may go that route as well, because I've already got a set of street and track wheels for it that fit the stock axle.

[jakedog]

If you're gonna go that route, just use 9" big bearing (Torino) housing ends and 31 spline 9" axles, then you don't need c-clip eliminators either. :cool4:
I've already got an 8.8 (one side) narrowed for my truck, but I may go that route as well, because I've already got a set of street and track wheels for it that fit the stock axle.

Well. i'm only thinkin that since i have 2 extra axles from and 8.8. I have 2 shorts and 2 longs . I start going that route i am defeating the "cheap " way out ! All these "may as wells " need to stop lol

Gotta draw the line somewhere. I wish a could afford anything but thats not the case. LOL

If i am gonna but new axles i may as well go with a 9 inch housing from the get go.

[Manyfire]

i hate "may as well's" they add up really quick

[jameskirk1]

Well. i'm only thinkin that since i have 2 extra axles from and 8.8. I have 2 shorts and 2 longs . I start going that route i am defeating the "cheap " way out ! All these "may as wells " need to stop lol

Gotta draw the line somewhere. I wish a could afford anything but thats not the case. LOL

If i am gonna but new axles i may as well go with a 9 inch housing from the get go.

I was right there with you on this decision a couple of years ago - I went with the 9"

[Tweeder]

buy a mustang 8.8 for 100 bucks off craigslist, its equal length and already shorter.
You can buy moser 31 spline axles for it already. the gears interchange, and a full case spool is cheap.

[Rickracer]

I bought a pair of 31 spline Moser axles in the correct length for my Vega for $125, with bearings already on them. They can be had very reasonable if you look around for them, and be a little patient, Racing Junk, YB, etc. I haven't gotten around to measuring to see exactly what I need for my truck in order to start looking for those yet, but I will soon.... :cool4:

[m.a.d.]

send me a short side axle jim. lol

[Toecutter]

There $20.00 at pull a part? you'ld have more then that in shipping

[Diabolical]

The "May as well's" are what takes you off course..
Stick to the plan..
Be it a "Over the top" build or "Budget" build.
I have personally came to the conclusion.. If I get off track, I end up spending more than
I had originally intended on and have extra parts laying around I cant get rid of.

There are a ton of resources out there and many ways to get it done..
Spend the time doing the homework and follow through.

Mike

[RedRider85]

Well i can tell you this. I have 400 bucks in my 8.8 swap, and that's with buying all the extra little things i need. I couldn't find a ford 9" third member and gear set for double that. Plus once you add up the cost of the housing and such your still out 1200+ bucks. so even if you add up the extra cost of having the axles done your still only out 525 bucks. That's half what a quality 9" would cost and would handle pretty much anything you could throw at it. Hell you could upgrade the differential and still come out ahead. Just my .02 cents. I'll know just how tough the 8.8 really is by end of week next week. Gotta pick my up and get her installed. Just in a cost standpoint cutting down the 8.8 like your saying could be a great way to end up with a stock length differential that's super tough.

[wade w]

Any body know the axle lengths for the mustang 8.8? I was looking at axles and saw that they make mustang 31 spline c-clip axles. If they are shorter and will fit the explorer housing with the housing cut down. Id like to try it.

[01XtremeLT1]

if you can find the correct length mustang axles they will work as long as they are 31 spline. the mustangs do the reverse swap. they use the guts of the explorers for the 5 lug conversions and get a set of sn95 front spindles for the fox bodies.

here is some information regarding the lengths of the axles for most vehicles. the explorers are on page 23

http://www.superioraxlegear.com/files/Superior2009-2010.pdf

keep in mind that mustangs from 79-04 had equal length axles and the length varied by the body style and year.
79-93 (29.25")
94-98 w/o ABS (30")
94-98 w/ABS (29.93")
99-04 28 spline (31.62") 31 spline upgrade (30.75")
05-09 RH (32.68") LH (31.81")

Explorer Axle Length
95-02 Explorer & Mountaineer RH (27 .81") LH (30.68")

[wade w]

So from what Im am reading here. My plan will not work. The short side explorer axle is the shortest one ford made.

[Rickracer]

There are places that will shorten, respline, and keep the c-clip groove, so you can make them shorter, might wanna investigate that possibility. I did an 8.8 housing for a local guy, and he had Dave (at Machine and Optics Inc. , here in Kissimmee, (407) 847-2356), do his axles for it. Even cheaper than buying axles, :cool4:

[jakedog]

Moser will cut and respline for $125 plus shipping.

[Diabolical]

Really cant go wrong with the Moser deal..
Thats hard to beat!

Mike

[01XtremeLT1]

I'm pretty sure we will go with the moser axles and the 9" ends when we upgrade.

[jakedog]

Copied this right from there site !!!

Shop Services: List Price:
Resplining
Single Axle 65
One Pair 110
2 to 5 Pair 100
6 or more pair at the same time 90

Respline Transmission Planetaries
Quantity 1-3 65
Quantity 4-9 55
Quantity 10+ 45
Respline Monster Truck Axles (ea) 115
Machining for Monster Truck shafts that are lapped 50
Redrilling Bolt Patterns
Redrill Axles 60
Weld & Redrill 80
Rear Drums or Rotors (Studs are not included) 60
Redrill Front Discs or hubs (one piece hubs only) (Studs are not included) 80
Counterbore 10
Plug & Redrill 80
4 lug-to-5 lug plug & redrill 85
6 lug-to-5 lug plug & redrill 85
Rework Jeep Kits to fit Set 9 Bearings (incl. Brgs) 85
Straighten Axle (each) 35
Narrow Most Housings (Both Sides) 125
Narrow Most Housings (One Side) 85
Narrow Front Housings (Both Sides) 125
Retube CT Floater Housing (Each Side) 150
Turn Down Brake Hubs (pr) 25
Turn Down Axle Flanges (pr) 25
Machining Axle Shafts (Full Shaft) (pr) 60
Drill & Tap Axle Ends (Circle Track Axles) (pr) 25
Disassemble CV axles (Not Responsible for Damage) 30
Differential Setup (Ring & Pinion Assembly) 150

Differential Dis-assembly & Clean-up 150

.

[RedRider85]

Well now i can put my 2 cents in. I just finished the install of a cut down factory posi 8.8 with 373 gears. By far the best diff for the money. I'm really happy with the way mine turned out.