Ford 8.8 rear end

[Sam1968 PNW]

So I have the opportunity to grab a Ford 8.8 rear end from a 95 explorer 4x4. Been reading about 8.8s and they seem to fit for what I’m looking for. I have an ho52 in my 68 c20 that I’ll be swapping out for it. Coil springs too. 327/th400 and I’m converting to a c10. I want the explorer rear end because it has discs, and it’s close to the stock width of my ho. Question is....can I swap a 4x4 rear end in for the ho without too much work? I know I already need to order axles to match my front but is it compatible without getting into the diff? Plz be aware, it’s my first post and I’m a newbie. Thx
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[truckster]

Welcome to the board! If I understand your question correctly, there's no difference between the rear end on a 4X4 and a 2WD, except possibly mounting (most C10s had coils, while some had leaf springs, while all K10s had leaf springs).

[Sam1968 PNW]

Sweet, thx for the info. Exactly what I needed to hear! I’ve never been even close to go as far as I need to go to get this truck the way I want it. All new to me. Thx for the prompt answer!
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[geezer#99]

Check the pinion offset.
Some 8.8’s were offset drastically.

[Sam1968 PNW]

Ahhhh...just educated myself about pinion angle and pinion offset...interesting read really. Thx for the input I’ll def keep that in mind! Love this site!!!! Guys have soooooo much knowledge!
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[cj847]

Trying to remember back to my jeeping days....the 8.8 was a favorite replacement for the weak dana 35 that came stock in 1987-2006 wranglers.

Not sure what you mean by "without too much work". I would be concerned about the following that I think you will have to do at a minimum. But I think you are going to have to do this to any axle that you swap except one from another C10.

-The 8.8 axle tubes are probably not the exact same diameter as your current axle (but they could be). I'm not sure. If it is different you will have to modify your cradle that you weld onto the axle. (After you have determined your pinion angle).
-You have to open the pumpkin to remove/replace the axles. But you don't have to get into the gear lash settings etc, which is what I think you are worried about. You probably want to change fluid and inspect it anyway.
-The 8.8 came in a lot of ratios, open, and limited slip differentials. Be selective, they are plentiful and cheap.
-The 8.8 came in a few different widths (ie explorer and F150). The explorer was really narrow, hence it's suitability for the wrangler. I am a little surprised that it is the width you want, but honestly I haven't measured the width of the C10 rear end and not sure if they varied by year.

I am not sure what you are wanting to do here. The 8.8 is similar in durability to the 12 bolt that came in C10s. I don't see what you are going to gain. I would find a 71 or 72 C10 12 bolt (has 5 on 5 lug pattern) assuming it is close or the same width as a 68 (again I am not sure). If disk brakes are your goal, it will cheaper/easier to add disks to a 12bolt than to fit any other axle into your 68 that has disk brakes from the factory.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by cj847

Trying to remember back to my jeeping days....the 8.8 was a favorite replacement for the weak dana 35 that came stock in 1987-2006 wranglers.

Not sure what you mean by "without too much work". I would be concerned about the following that I think you will have to do at a minimum. But I think you are going to have to do this to any axle that you swap except one from another C10.

-The 8.8 axle tubes are probably not the exact same diameter as your current axle (but they could be). I'm not sure. If it is different you will have to modify your cradle that you weld onto the axle. (After you have determined your pinion angle).
-You have to open the pumpkin to remove/replace the axles. But you don't have to get into the gear lash settings etc, which is what I think you are worried about. You probably want to change fluid and inspect it anyway.
-The 8.8 came in a lot of ratios, open, and limited slip differentials. Be selective, they are plentiful and cheap.
-The 8.8 came in a few different widths (ie explorer and F150). The explorer was really narrow, hence it's suitability for the wrangler. I am a little surprised that it is the width you want, but honestly I haven't measured the width of the C10 rear end and not sure if they varied by year.

I am not sure what you are wanting to do here. The 8.8 is similar in durability to the 12 bolt that came in C10s. I don't see what you are going to gain. I would find a 71 or 72 C10 12 bolt (has 5 on 5 lug pattern) assuming it is close or the same width as a 68 (again I am not sure). If disk brakes are your goal, it will cheaper/easier to add disks to a 12bolt than to fit any other axle into your 68 that has disk brakes from the factory.

This! I’ll also play devils advocate and throw this idea out there. The 00-06 1500’s, suburbans and Tahoe’s have factory disk brakes... it’ll take the same amount of fab as the 8.8 would but your truck would be all mother GM parts. The big advantage to the late model gm disk rear ends (same for the Ford really) is the reliable park brake. A lot of the disk brake conversion kits for the old axles use cadillac eldorado calipers and aren’t known for having good park brake setups.

[Sam1968 PNW]

Originally Posted by cj847

Trying to remember back to my jeeping days....the 8.8 was a favorite replacement for the weak dana 35 that came stock in 1987-2006 wranglers.

Not sure what you mean by "without too much work". I would be concerned about the following that I think you will have to do at a minimum. But I think you are going to have to do this to any axle that you swap except one from another C10.

-The 8.8 axle tubes are probably not the exact same diameter as your current axle (but they could be). I'm not sure. If it is different you will have to modify your cradle that you weld onto the axle. (After you have determined your pinion angle).
-You have to open the pumpkin to remove/replace the axles. But you don't have to get into the gear lash settings etc, which is what I think you are worried about. You probably want to change fluid and inspect it anyway.
-The 8.8 came in a lot of ratios, open, and limited slip differentials. Be selective, they are plentiful and cheap.
-The 8.8 came in a few different widths (ie explorer and F150). The explorer was really narrow, hence it's suitability for the wrangler. I am a little surprised that it is the width you want, but honestly I haven't measured the width of the C10 rear end and not sure if they varied by year.

I am not sure what you are wanting to do here. The 8.8 is similar in durability to the 12 bolt that came in C10s. I don't see what you are going to gain. I would find a 71 or 72 C10 12 bolt (has 5 on 5 lug pattern) assuming it is close or the same width as a 68 (again I am not sure). If disk brakes are your goal, it will cheaper/easier to add disks to a 12bolt than to fit any other axle into your 68 that has disk brakes from the factory.

Ok, I was hoping for this type of info. Found the pinion offset is 2” on the explorer 8.8. I have been looking for a 71/72 12 bolt unsuccessfully for a month...just need to be more patient and maybe try harder. You’re right, I’m not trying to get in too deep into the gearing and get myself in trouble. Checked the wms and the c10 is wider so I’d like to be the same. So all in all, an 8.8 most likely will not be something I’ll go after. Thx for the insight.
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[Sam1968 PNW]

Originally Posted by Sam1968 PNW

Ok, I was hoping for this type of info. Found the pinion offset is 2” on the explorer 8.8. I have been looking for a 71/72 12 bolt unsuccessfully for a month...just need to be more patient and maybe try harder. You’re right, I’m not trying to get in too deep into the gearing and get myself in trouble. Checked the wms and the c10 is wider so I’d like to be the same. So all in all, an 8.8 most likely will not be something I’ll go after. Thx for the insight.
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Good, bad or indifferent, I’m thankful for your insights and solutions. So much info out there and opinions. I’m really just trying to get to my end product super clean and cheap....guess we all are? The highlights I was going after on the 8.8 was posi, the gearing(looking to cruise the strip around here and hit the highway), and disc brakes. The 12 bolt downfall was I’d have to add posi and discs for sure. Guess there will be ups and downs whatever way I go. I’ll check into the 12 bolt a little more. Thx guys!
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[kwmech]

The explorer rear would be too narrow for the conversion anyways

[Barnfind46]

Be patient when searching for parts. I needed a replacement frame and all I could find was square body frames. I was recently looking and came across a whole truck for $1500.00. Now I have extra parts and the truck was a leaf spring truck. Something I was wanting any way.

[Sam1968 PNW]

I hear ya, just did a little wider search and found a 1969 c10 12 bolt posi 373. It 200 miles away. I’ll keep looking locally though, there’s enough jys and scrap places to come across one.
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[truckster]

Originally Posted by Sam1968 PNW

I hear ya, just did a little wider search and found a 1969 c10 12 bolt posi 373. It 200 miles away. I’ll keep looking locally though, there’s enough jys and scrap places to come across one.
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To me, 200 miles doesn't seem all that far to go for a 3.73 posi. It's not like they're making a whole lot of new ones...

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by truckster

To me, 200 miles doesn't seem all that far to go for a 3.73 posi. It's not like they're making a whole lot of new ones...

I drove more than 200 miles yesterday to sell a 14 bolt rear. Us guys in the west are used to driving long distances though.

[Sam1968 PNW]

Ya I’m west coast myself. Been talking to the guy a little more. I’m thinking that 12 bolt is my new rear end. What do you guys think? I got a stock 327/th400....3.73 a good fit? I know there’s something to be said about rim/tire size, but I’m thinking it’s perfect for cruising street with a side of highway? Lmk!!!!
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[Barnfind46]

I have a 350 crate with a TH350 trans and 3.73 gears but my tires are 30" tall. I like it but if the tires were shorter I may not like it as much.

[LS short box]

I have a 8.8 Explorer rear end in my LS swapped 98 Wrangler. It stock with 31 spline axles and posi. As said above it is a very popular upgrade to the Dana 35. The pinion offset wasn't a problem since I had constant velocity drive shaft built. The e-brake isn't the best design but it will hold the Jeep on an incline.
If you go this route be careful as you cut off the old brackets. The axle tubes a bit thin.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Sam1968 PNW

Ya I’m west coast myself. Been talking to the guy a little more. I’m thinking that 12 bolt is my new rear end. What do you guys think? I got a stock 327/th400....3.73 a good fit? I know there’s something to be said about rim/tire size, but I’m thinking it’s perfect for cruising street with a side of highway? Lmk!!!!
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I have three trucks that all have 3.73 gears in them. Two of them have overdrive; the third is my 72 Blazer. The freeway RPMs are a bit higher than I like - a little over 3,000 at 80 MPH - but it doesn't spend much time on the freeway. Around town it's just right.

[Sam1968 PNW]

Originally Posted by LS short box

I have a 8.8 Explorer rear end in my LS swapped 98 Wrangler. It stock with 31 spline axles and posi. As said above it is a very popular upgrade to the Dana 35. The pinion offset wasn't a problem since I had constant velocity drive shaft built. The e-brake isn't the best design but it will hold the Jeep on an incline.
If you go this route be careful as you cut off the old brackets. The axle tubes a bit thin.

Thx but I think I’ll go with a gm 12 bolt, I’ll just take my time and see what pops outta the woodwork!
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[Sam1968 PNW]

Originally Posted by truckster

I have three trucks that all have 3.73 gears in them. Two of them have overdrive; the third is my 72 Blazer. The freeway RPMs are a bit higher than I like - a little over 3,000 at 80 MPH - but it doesn't spend much time on the freeway. Around town it's just right.

Thx for the input...pretty much solidifies what I’m going for. I just need some snow to melt away and ill be hunting one down, thx!
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[TurboThrift]

Hi Sam,

If you're looking for a useful tool to calculate cruise RPM or your desired gear ratio.. I use https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/gearing

It's a Jeep site (yes, I bust my knuckles on those too) that I have found to be very helpful.

Regards,

Griff

[Sam1968 PNW]

I’ll use that calculator, thanks for help!
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[MARKDTN]

Without overdrive I would not do a 3.7 if I was doing any highway miles. I think 3.55 is as low as I would care to go on a 1:1 transmission and much road time if I was going to change what I had. If you just putter around town or haul a bunch of heavy loads at slow speed then 3.7 or 4.11 are OK. If you had overdrive then 3.7 is good. If you are going to spend time and money to do this, then get what you want the first time. My .02

[Sam1968 PNW]

I don’t have OD, so was thinking 373 was a little low. You’re right, time and $ are a factor with any build and mine is no different. I just need to be patient, after all I’m starting it on body first so I have plenty of time to come up with the rest. I’m a little impatient because I’m my line of work I need everything before I start, but those are a lot smaller jobs....weeks at best while this is a months/years kinda thing. Something will pop up! Thx for your 2 cents, greatly appreciated!