9" or 8.8"

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:37 pm

okay i have some questions

if i were to do a 9" swap would i need to modify my driveshaft?

what abt an 8.8?

i was looking on bronco graveyard and they have an 8.8 with 9" outers... is this possible to do or does it have to be custom made from a machine shop?

thanks for any help...

Post by **Nobody** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:06 pm

Most likely you would need to do some driveshaft mods for the 9". It's really not a big deal. I usually just get one that's too long from junkyard, then have a driveshaft shop shorten it.

I would not make an 8.8/9" hybrid. The 8.8 is a good axle, but it has issues with the tubes spinning. I think it also has some issues with the carrier breaking. The downfall of the 9" is the low pinion. It can help lead to the driveshaft catching rocks and it doesn't so much for driveline angles in short wheelbase vehicles.

My personal preference is the Dana 60 with 9" outers. I think this option gives the most bang for the buck if you are buying lockers, gears and shafts.

Cheapest bolt in upgrade would be the 8.8. Good chance at getting factory rear disc too. Really they are all good axles. You just need to decide how much axle you need and how fat your wallet is.

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:39 pm

thanks for the reply....

i have about $300-$400 to spend on a rear axle and that includes fixing the brakes if need be..

the reason i said that abt the 8.8 with 9" outers is becuase i will ultimately need to have a lug pattern of 5 on 5.5....

so it looks like ill be going with the 9".....

any other suggestions?

thanks for all the help...

once i get my rear axle decision made i should be wheeling in about 1 month.... ill try and get pics along the way

Post by **Nobody** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:11 pm

There are 8.8's from pickups that have the 5 on 5.5. But that would be a full width. If you put 9" ends on the 8.8", you would have to buy shafts and that would kill your budget. I think I'd probably choose the 9 inch over the 8.8, unless I found a good deal on a 31 spline disc brake 8.8.

EBSTEVE · Post by **EBSTEVE** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:08 am

Make sure you get a big bearing 9" if you are getting one at all. The small bearing stuff makes it hard to upgrade the axles in the future and keeps you at a crappie bearing. I also like the 60 with 9" ends but it's defiantly out of your budget. I have not ever run an 8.8 so I will leave that up to others.

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:45 am

Well... I'm a little confused as to what I should do. I'd like to keep it simple yet strong.

I appreciate the input.

Here is some more info.

I'll be running 33's and doing some moderate to heavy wheeling. The stock 7.5 held up for me with the abuse that I gave to it.

You guys know more than me about ths stuff so I'm just waiting on some input from you as to what I should do now.

Thanks.

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:04 pm

I vote 9" but that is just what I like to use. it's cheap, simple, and after market is there to do just about anything you want.

onewyr · Post by **onewyr** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:22 pm

go get a 8.8" out of a 95 up explorer that gives you disc brake and most likely a limited slip that will help alot in the wheeling then save up some more and buy a new carrier and a locker the L/s was a big help when I put that axle in my truck I started with a 8.8 drum brake rear with a limited slip and then found a 95 L?S 8.8 for $60 pulled and waiting for pick up I am gonna be installing that this weekend.

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:53 pm

the whole issue i have with the 8.8 is the lug pattern... i need 5 on 5.5... and i don't think wheel spacers are a real good idea...

vabronconut · Post by **vabronconut** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:36 am

im up in the air also on the rear axle, i need the higher pinion 8.8 but i like to have parts that i can get from autozone or the like when i break down so im not stuck. the 8.8 i have to get special axle shafts for and from what i read get the rotors redrilled, plus move the spring perches. allot of crap for just 2 to 3 " better pinion height. the 9" i would still replace the axle shafts (due to being 30+ years old and most eb rear shafts are warped anyhow) and then convert it to disk. the 8.8 also can be found with 4.10's and LS, where the 9" with that combo is hard to find and will cost an arm and a leg. for me its going to come down to which i can find first.

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:08 am

I ended up going with the 8.8"

I got it for $140, including working disc brakes and posi

I also bought a conversion kit with anti-wrap spring perches from Ruff Tuff Specialties to ease the swap.

Other then relocating the mounts this was a direct bolt it.

tekatlarge · Post by **tekatlarge** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:52 pm

onewontwo wrote:I ended up going with the 8.8"

I got it for $140, including working disc brakes and posi

I also bought a conversion kit with anti-wrap spring perches from Ruff Tuff Specialties to ease the swap.

Other then relocating the mounts this was a direct bolt it.

So I presume you went with the smaller bolt pattern on the 8.8? What about track width?

Inquiring minds ya know

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:26 am

I had them re-drilled to 5 on 5.5" My dad is a tool and die maker, so I got that done for free.

They are 59.5" wms - wms

vabronconut · Post by **vabronconut** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:20 pm

what is the width of the eb 9"

onewontwo · Post by **onewontwo** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:40 pm

I'm not sure on the 9" width. I imagine it is close to 59.5" because my EB D44 is that width also.

BroncoII4x4.com

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