Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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).

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

The explorer rear would be too narrow for the conversion anyways

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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...

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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.

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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 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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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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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

I’ll use that calculator, thanks for help!
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Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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

Re: Ford 8.8 rear end
 

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!