I have the Ford 8.8 28 spline LS, worth upgrading to 31 spline?

nooch450 · 04-11-2012, 07:18 AM

I have the stock Ford 8.8 28 Spline LS rear in my truck, I want to run 4.56 and an Auburn Electric Locker... It it worth putting into this axle or should i try to find a 31 Spline Axle?

Id rather reuse mine unless there is a good reason somebody wants to talk me out of building the guts of the 28 spline with a locker n gears...

Basically, is it worth finding a new axle (31 spline)? Or is mine strong enough...

cdawall · 04-11-2012, 09:11 AM

The auburn is a pile of ****ing dogshit. I wouldn't build a 28 spline it has same bearing and shafts as the 7.5"

**escort_gts** · 04-11-2012, 09:44 AM

It all depends on what you will be doing with your truck. Hard core wheeling, then I would upgrade to a 31 spline or bigger. If just normal driving and some wheeling then the 28 will be fine. I have the 28 spline with a lock-rite and no problems yet. But mine is a daily driver with some weekend wheeling. Nothing hardcore.

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**RangerSVT** · 04-11-2012, 09:50 AM

I had a locked 28 Spline, less than 2 weeks later I broke a shaft doing a doughnut...

SVT

cdawall · 04-11-2012, 12:00 PM

Either way you go the auburn is still garbage. I would rather have an open than use that POS.

nooch450 · 04-11-2012, 03:10 PM

OK it looks like the 31 spline upgrade is nessasary... Im guna be rough on it... I chose that locker for the price and the fact that it has limited slip while dissengaged. What lockers are best for price, NO AUTO, i just dont like the idea...

I heard 95 and up explorer is best...I can get an Explorer 8.8 31 spline for a junk yard for $300, they will pull it. Does that price sound high?

**escort_gts** · 04-11-2012, 03:23 PM

I can pull one here for $100. I'd be leery of someone else putting it in though. Especially from a junk yard.

But yes, 95+ expo axle. They come with disc brakes.

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**escort_gts** · 04-11-2012, 03:25 PM

I suggest an ARB air locker. Price is kinda high but well worth it.

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cdawall · 04-11-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nooch450

OK it looks like the 31 spline upgrade is nessasary... Im guna be rough on it... I chose that locker for the price and the fact that it has limited slip while dissengaged. What lockers are best for price, NO AUTO, i just dont like the idea...

I heard 95 and up explorer is best...I can get an Explorer 8.8 31 spline for a junk yard for $300, they will pull it. Does that price sound high?

There is a reason that the Auborn is cheaper. You will be replacing that locker if you want something that actually locks up with a wheel in the air. I have wheeled with plenty of Jeeps running those POS's and every single one of them does not lock up anymore. Do your self a favor and pay for the quality of a real locker. Eaton E-Locker, Yukon Zip locker or ARB if you want a selectable. Otherwise a Detroit, grizzly something along those lines will work. There is nothing wrong with auto lockers a lot of people run them with tons less issues than that shit auborn.

I can pull expo rears for $100 as well $300 is a lot.

**RangerSVT** · 04-11-2012, 05:45 PM

I can probably ship you an ex 8.8 for less than 300, that includes the price if the axle...where you located?

SVT

Vexy · 04-11-2012, 08:30 PM

I bought a 31 spline 8.8 from a 1996 explorer for $200. It has stronger axle shafts and disk brakes. If you find a good deal on one I would go for it. This way you can set up the gears while still keeping your truck on the road. Good luck man!

nooch450 · 04-12-2012, 05:42 AM

Im in new jersey...

Thanks for the help guys, the yards around here give $300-$400 for a scrap car / truck. Than the J/O wana sell me just the rear for $300!

04-11-2012, 07:18 AM	#1
nooch450 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Jersey Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 4.0 OHV Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending money on that I dont have... Posts: 314 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	I have the Ford 8.8 28 spline LS, worth upgrading to 31 spline? I have the stock Ford 8.8 28 Spline LS rear in my truck, I want to run 4.56 and an Auburn Electric Locker... It it worth putting into this axle or should i try to find a 31 Spline Axle? Id rather reuse mine unless there is a good reason somebody wants to talk me out of building the guts of the 28 spline with a locker n gears... Basically, is it worth finding a new axle (31 spline)? Or is mine strong enough... __________________ My 1991 Ranger XLT 4x4 Prerunner / Woods Runner Build...
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04-11-2012, 09:11 AM	#2
cdawall Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ellsworth AFB Year: 2005 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Edge Engine: 4.0L V6 Class: 4x4 Used For: trails/daily driver Posts: 493 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	The auburn is a pile of **ing dogshit. I wouldn't build a 28 spline it has same bearing and shafts as the 7.5" __________________ Wheeler** '05 Ranger Edge SAS'd, 5.38's, D60/D60U, 38.5" TSL SX's, build thread
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04-11-2012, 09:44 AM	#3
escort_gts 02/2012 04/2013 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: Dana 30 SAS Used For: Daily Driver Posts: 2,952 Rep Power: 19 iTrader: (6)	It all depends on what you will be doing with your truck. Hard core wheeling, then I would upgrade to a 31 spline or bigger. If just normal driving and some wheeling then the 28 will be fine. I have the 28 spline with a lock-rite and no problems yet. But mine is a daily driver with some weekend wheeling. Nothing hardcore. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 89 ranger 2.3L RIP 93 Ranger 4.0L 2wd turned D30 4wd SAS Brothers Project 85 Yota getbentkustoms.com
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04-11-2012, 09:50 AM	#4
RangerSVT Oct 09 OTOTM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TRS since 2002 - NW TN Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger SC 4x4 Engine: GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC Class: 4x4 EXTREME DD Used For: Anger Management Posts: 5,983 Rep Power: 26 iTrader: (29)	I had a locked 28 Spline, less than 2 weeks later I broke a shaft doing a doughnut... SVT __________________ *Member of the Turkey Bay Crew* *SVT Build Thread (96 V8 Ranger)* ST Build Thread (02 V8 Sport Trac) *V8 swap Club/Info*
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04-11-2012, 12:00 PM	#5
cdawall Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ellsworth AFB Year: 2005 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Edge Engine: 4.0L V6 Class: 4x4 Used For: trails/daily driver Posts: 493 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	Either way you go the auburn is still garbage. I would rather have an open than use that POS. __________________ Wheeler '05 Ranger Edge SAS'd, 5.38's, D60/D60U, 38.5" TSL SX's, build thread
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04-11-2012, 03:10 PM	#6
nooch450 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Jersey Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 4.0 OHV Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending money on that I dont have... Posts: 314 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	OK it looks like the 31 spline upgrade is nessasary... Im guna be rough on it... I chose that locker for the price and the fact that it has limited slip while dissengaged. What lockers are best for price, NO AUTO, i just dont like the idea... I heard 95 and up explorer is best...I can get an Explorer 8.8 31 spline for a junk yard for $300, they will pull it. Does that price sound high? __________________ My 1991 Ranger XLT 4x4 Prerunner / Woods Runner Build... Last edited by nooch450; 04-11-2012 at 03:12 PM.
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04-11-2012, 03:23 PM	#7
escort_gts 02/2012 04/2013 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: Dana 30 SAS Used For: Daily Driver Posts: 2,952 Rep Power: 19 iTrader: (6)	I can pull one here for $100. I'd be leery of someone else putting it in though. Especially from a junk yard. But yes, 95+ expo axle. They come with disc brakes. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 89 ranger 2.3L RIP 93 Ranger 4.0L 2wd turned D30 4wd SAS Brothers Project 85 Yota getbentkustoms.com
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04-11-2012, 03:25 PM	#8
escort_gts 02/2012 04/2013 OTOTM Winner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: Dana 30 SAS Used For: Daily Driver Posts: 2,952 Rep Power: 19 iTrader: (6)	I suggest an ARB air locker. Price is kinda high but well worth it. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 89 ranger 2.3L RIP 93 Ranger 4.0L 2wd turned D30 4wd SAS Brothers Project 85 Yota getbentkustoms.com
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04-11-2012, 05:45 PM	#10
RangerSVT Oct 09 OTOTM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TRS since 2002 - NW TN Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger SC 4x4 Engine: GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC Class: 4x4 EXTREME DD Used For: Anger Management Posts: 5,983 Rep Power: 26 iTrader: (29)	I can probably ship you an ex 8.8 for less than 300, that includes the price if the axle...where you located? SVT __________________ *Member of the Turkey Bay Crew* *SVT Build Thread (96 V8 Ranger)* ST Build Thread (02 V8 Sport Trac) *V8 swap Club/Info*
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04-11-2012, 08:30 PM	#11
Vexy Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wolcott, CT Year: 1996 Make: Mazda Model: B4000 Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: Daily Driver, Money Pit, Off Roading Posts: 410 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (1)	I bought a 31 spline 8.8 from a 1996 explorer for $200. It has stronger axle shafts and disk brakes. If you find a good deal on one I would go for it. This way you can set up the gears while still keeping your truck on the road. Good luck man! __________________ 1996 Mazda B4000 4x4: - 7" Lift, 33's, 1 piece driveshaft, F250 Shock Towers w/ Rancho 999012's, Explorer 8.8 Swap L/S, 4.56's w/ Lock-Right in front.
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04-12-2012, 05:42 AM	#12
nooch450 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Jersey Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 4.0 OHV Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Spending money on that I dont have... Posts: 314 Rep Power: 7 iTrader: (0)	Im in new jersey... Thanks for the help guys, the yards around here give $300-$400 for a scrap car / truck. Than the J/O wana sell me just the rear for $300! __________________ My 1991 Ranger XLT 4x4 Prerunner / Woods Runner Build...
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