Ford 8.8 and 35s

M

MrShoeBoy

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Cincinnati, OH
My question is how reliable is the Ford 8.8 from an explorer? I have never heard of a problem with this axle and 33s but can it handle 35s and not have huge issues? I dont want to get rid of my current Ford 8.8 since I alreatty invested money in a truss, traction bar, ARB locker and gears. The only thing I see that can be improved upon would be alloy shafts but will that be enough or should I be looking for something better?

The reason I ask is because I spun the tubes in the Dana 30 with 32s and want to upgrade to a HP 44 with alloy shafts and run 35s. This front seems to be reliable on 35s but I question the rear especially with a 4.6L stroker.

Thanks,

AARON
 
Have you welded the tubes to the center section? If not, do that and it will hold up fine to the 35s. I'm running an 8.8 rear with Yukon shafts, 4.88s, detroit, and 35s and have had no issues at all. HTH
 
A buddy of mine runs the 8.8 in a v8 zj with no problems at all. Weld the tubes, and you should be fine. The 8.8 is a very tuff axle, you should have no problems with 35's.
 
i haven't welded the tubes yet. my rig works just fine. no broken axels.

stoney
 
I have welded the tubes and have run a truss from one side to the other with a Poison Spyder Customs rock ring with a link ear. I didnt want the traction bar bracket ripping up the tube. I think that happened to Crash?

Are you guys other than 96country running stock shafts or did you upgrade to alloys?

Thanks

AARON
 
One of the 4 wheeling mags that just came out has a chart that says the Ford 8.8 (31 spline) will handle a good deal more torque spike than a D44 and a little more continuous torque.
 
I've been beating my 8.8/4.56's/detroit with 35's for well over a year now. I run stock axles and haven't had any problems, and I am NOT light on the throttle. I plan on welding the tubes, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

John
 
The 8.8 will live with a 36" tire easily IMO. So will a D30 if you drive smart.

Curious on how you spun D30 tubes? Seems that'd be pretty hard with 4 links holding it in place. I guess the pumkin could rotate on both tubes.. never heard of that happening.
 
Here's my.02
My other half. She wheels the crap out of her modified Explorer.
The 8.8 tubes "usually" will move on you, unless you do something like this.
http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/showmedia.php?id=118749

She's been running 34" Super Swamper LTB's. The housings can move so truss em' to the pig. Usually the shafts are fine unless again, the housings move. Side note: I notice you have the ARB as we do. That is what was causing problems that led us to find we had spun an axle tube. If this happens to you I recommend getting another complete axle housing.
So running 35's and Trussed you should be OK.
SIDE NOTE: Do not weld to the "cast" housing of the pig UNLESS you really know what you are doing. We had a friend do that part. Good Luck.
 
The front Dana 30 was spun as I was on the throttle and starting to slide and nailed stright into a rock that caught the bottom lip of the diff. It was muddy as all hell and it couldnt be helped. I was riding with guys on 38+ super swampers and they where having traction issues on the trail. I didnt realize it had spun untill about a week latter when I was checking over everything after I had washed it and saw the welds on the center section had cracked.

If the tubes/housing somehow spin on my F8.8 with the truss and rock ring combo that on it now, I swear I will stop wheeling. Its pretty beefy.

Thanks guys this is what I wanted to know,

AARON
 
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