wicked diff carnage... I summon expert opinions

[CJ]

31 spline explorer diff is just the diff... I'm assuming you're also planning on using the expy axle housing?

Yes, discs and all.

[YALE]

Why are some people so scared of C-clips?

[kingjason]

I have done 4 8.8's and for the money they are hard to beat. You can't even do a disc conversion on a 44 for what the whole thing will cost you. Call cj's in Rockwell, he did my last one and was cheap as heck vs the other guys. What gears are in there now heck you might not even have to do gears and the factory ls is pretty decent also. 8.8's are the only way to go and you won't even notice the half in on each side.

[greenbullitt]

ouch CJ! let me know what you decide

[Lason]

Do a 8.8 and put 9" ends on it so the C clip argument is moot. If you do 9" ends then you can lengthen it out at the same time and avoid spacers. Of course it will require custom axles though so now your getting into more money but if your gonna do it, then do it right, right?

[Lason]

Why are some people so scared of C-clips?

Break an axles on a non-c clip housing and you can still get home, one wheel free wheeling. Break an axle on a c clip axle and the wheel/axle comes out. Disk brakes help with that but I wouldnt trust a rotor to handle those forces.

[Dan03mach]

Well if you want a real diff to put in there I have a detroit locker that is barley used in my car that I an thinking about taking out to put a spool in. It is for 31 spline axles. The diff might have 500 miles on it if that.

[CJ]

Well if you want a real diff to put in there I have a detroit locker that is barley used in my car that I an thinking about taking out to put a spool in. It is for 31 spline axles. The diff might have 500 miles on it if that.

500 miles, that's like what, 2,000 passes? I think that would go good with the diff I'm buying.

[Dan03mach]

500 miles, that's like what, 2,000 passes? I think that would go good with the diff I'm buying.

actually I only taken the car to the track once with this diff and only made 2 pass with it.

[CJ]

How exactly do C clip eliminators work? Would they be beneficial on an offroad application? Do you need new axles for this?

[strokin]

They get preased onto the axle itself and bolt to the housing instead of using the c clips.. If ur wondering they get pressed almost to the hub.. They are basically the axle bearing.. Greay investment on any 8.8..

[Dan03mach]

How exactly do C clip eliminators work? Would they be beneficial on an offroad application? Do you need new axles for this?

They would help in off roading if you ever broke an axle you can roll out with out the axle trying to come out. As for axles go I'm not sure. You might be able to use Cclip axles and just press on the eliminator. So yes they can help in off roading if you break and axle but other then that, not really.

[Grape]

a dana 44 is basically a GM 8.5" 10 bolt, or vice versa

[Z06killinsbf]

I've got a bare 8.8 Expy housing ready for rework. I already cut the perches off but have some CE ones to go on it. Let me know if you're interested.

Specs:

Ford 8.8 assembly specs:
Cover bolt 28-38 ft.lbs.
Pinion bearing preload 16-29 in.lbs.
Pinion bearing preload 8-14 in.lbs (used)
Ring gear backlash .008-.015
Ring gear bolt to case 70-85 ft.lbs
Side bearing caps 70-85 ft.lbs.

Explorer 8.8 Measurements:
Weight (complete assembly w/ brakes etc.): 174 lb.
O.D. of tubes: 3.250".
Tube thickness: .250" (some are .188”!)
Ring gear diameter: 8.800".
Ring gear bolts: 7/16" dia. (qty. 10).
Pinion diameter/splines: 1.625 / 30.
Axle shaft/splines: 1.320 / 31.
Rotor thickness (where it mounts to axle is .250").
Overall width 59.625" (the F8.8 is .950" narrower then a TJ Dana 35).
(The F-150 8.8 is drum brake and width WMS to WMS is 65.5”.)
Hole diameter for ABS sensor in top of housing: .811".
Bolt size (U-joint flange to yoke) is: 12 x 1.75 x 30 mm
Centerline of housing to C/L of pinion difference is 3.875" toward the P/S.
Pinion offset: P/S to C/L of Pinion, 27-3/4" (no rotor on axle), D/S to C/L of Pinion, 31-5/8" (no rotor on axle). (this measurement is 2.5" more offset to the P/S then a TJ Dana 35).

Specs:
Code Capacity Ratio
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73
L - Limited Slip Differential
C - Conventional Differential

How many splines are the axle shafts?
drivers side is 31 spline for 97 & up Mountaineer, 95 & up Explorer, 30-1/2 inch length - 5 X 4.5 inch lug pattern.

passenger side is 31 spline for 97 & up Mountaineer, 95 & up Explorer, 27-5/8 inch length - 5 X 4.5 inch lug pattern

Can I get 35 spline shafts?
Yes, with a little searching I found 28 and 33 splines too. Remeber 8.8 axles are used on many different Ford rigs. Mustangs, Rangers, F150s, Aerostar etc... different axle lengths than the Explorer so if you are looking for aftermarket products make sure you are not looking at something for a Mustang that might not fit an Explorer.

The axle shaft strength tested by Warn Ind:
F8.8= 6,500 (lb. ft.)
D44= 4,600-5,000 (lb. ft.)
D35C= 4,000-4,300 (lb. ft.)

[thesource]

I ditch that crap and put something heavier duty under it. An 8.8 is pretty tuff but if you plan on 4 wheeling hard, weld up the tubes and put some braces on it. A diff girdle is a good investment too.