8.8 Rear End

8.8 Rear End

Common Applications
1986-2014 Ford Mustang.1982-2012 Ford F-150.1982-1996 Ford Bronco.2001-2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.1991-2011 Ford Ranger 4.0L models.1991-2001 Ford Explorer (Solid axle)1985-2011 Ford Panther platform vehicles.2012–Present Ford F-150 (Super 8.8, depending on engine and other options)

Are Ford 8.8 rear ends strong?

Intended to replace the 7.5-inch rear end that had been common on Ford’s compact and mid-size models towards the end of the 1970s (and which continued to be used by low-powered FoMoCo options throughout the 1980s), the 8.8 was roughly a third again as strong.

Are all Ford 8.8 rear ends the same?

There are 24 different Fords that offered the 8.8 rear axle. The weakest points of the 8.8 are the 28-spline axles (1.18 inches in diameter). The 31-spline axles (1.29 inches in diameter) are more desirable but far less common.

Is the Ford 8.8 a good axle?

Although not serving up the same beef as the respected Ford 9-inch, the slightly smaller 8.8-inch has held its own as a good medium-duty wheeling axle, especially when used on lighter rigs. The axleshafts have been available in 28- and 31-spline counts.

Is Ford 8.8 limited slip?

Ford 8.8″ 10 Bolt, 28 spline, 1979-Current. Limited-Slip-to-Locked, Select-able Locking Differential. Limited-Slip-to-Locked, Select-able Locking Differential.

How much HP can a 8.8 handle?

Biggest problems I’ve heard with the 8.8’s and high power is spun tubes and twisted axles. Dead stock (31 spline version, which is what the Explorer has) it can handle up to about 400 rwhp as long as you’re not on DR’s or Slicks. As soon as you go to those, you have to weld the tubes at a minimum.

How much horsepower can a 9 inch rear end handle?

“They’re good only to 400hp max,” says Tom at Tom’s Differentials. “Anything above that should use today’s beefed-up, redesigned, nodular-iron aftermarket cases. They’re good to 800 hp, if built properly.

What’s the best rear end for drag racing?

Ford 9″- The Ford 9″ is definitely the most popular of the rear ends in drag racing. It offers good strength characteristics and the largest variety of gear choices. The thirdmember type center section allows a racer to have multiple gear ratios available and is much easier to change than a rear loading type rear end.

Are all Ford 8.8 ring and pinion the same?

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The gears are all the same for Ford 8.8s. The carriers usually come in two different sizes, depending on gear ratio. The spider gears must match your axle spline count as that’s where they attach to the carrier.

How do I know if I have an 8.8 rear end?

You can identify the Ford 8.8-inch rear by its rear cover. It has a thin metal or plastic 10-bolt cover, and the bolts are 7/16-inch thread. The cover is not quite square, measuring about 101/2 inches high by 11 inches long. The 8.8-inch pinion shaft is 15/8 inches and has 30 splines.

How do you measure a Ford 8.8 axle?

Examples of this is GM 12 Bolt, Mopar 9 1/4, Ford 8.8, etc This should be measured with a tape measure by hooking the outside of the axle flange (wheel side-where the wheel studs are) and pulling back to the end of the C-Clip Button.

How do you narrow a Ford 8.8 rear end?

The Explorer 8.8 is narrowed by cutting out 2.875 inches from the driver’s side axle tube, welding it back together, and installing a separate passenger side axle in the now shortened driver’s side axle tube.

How wide is a 8.8 rear end?

8 rear end width iS59 11/44 inches. The Ford 8.8 is an automotive axle manufactured by Ford Motor Company at the Sterling Axle Plant in Sterling Heights, MI. It was first used in the model year 1983 Ford trucks. The axle was developed to replace the Ford 9-inch axle.

Why is the Ford 9 inch rear end so popular?

The Ford 9-inch is desirable because it has a removable carrier, which allows quick rear end changes. Many racers carry an extra carrier assembly with a different rear end ratio so they can try different combinations on the same day while at the track.

Is Posi the same as limited-slip?

Registered. Posi and limited slip are both the same thing. Standard rear end “Peg leg”, both back wheels always propel the car but the power goes to the wheel that spins the fastest. So if one side spins out, all the power goes to that wheel..

How does a Torsen differential work?

The Torsen (from Torque Sensing) works as an open differential when the amount of torque going to each wheel is equal. As soon as one wheel starts to lose traction, the difference in torque causes the gears in the Torsen differential to bind together.

Robert Thorne
Author

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.