Ranger Axle length

[Starkman]

Anybody know what the axle length is on a stock 95 Ranger 8.8?

Is there a 31 spline axle that would fit?

I need to upgrade the rear axle, locker with 31 spines. I did a search but didn't find the exact info......

[Warrlord]

The only 31 spline 8.8 that will be a direct bolt-in would be from a late model FX4 Ranger. All the rest of the Rangers are 28 spline.

The best swap is from an Explorer, they're ALL 31 spline 8.8's. 91 to 94 have drum brakes, 95 & newer have disc brakes. But they're a SUA. You'll have to weld leaf spring pads on the top of the axle tubes. It's no biggie..........I did that on my buddy's Explorer to obtain the 5" of rear lift while using his stock leaf springs, it's a piece of cake as long as you have access to a welder.

For what it's worth..............I have a 28 spline in mine & ran 38's for years with zero rear axle problems. A couple years ago, I bought Yukon High Strength axles from Randy's Ring & Pinion just for my piece of mind. I can't find the chart anymore but the Yukon 28 spline axles are a tad stronger than the stock Ford 31 spline axles. If you bought the Yukon 31 splines for a 31 spline 8.8, then it'd be really strong.

But, based off my past 7 years of wheeling my truck & never having the rear axles break, even with 38's, I have no real concern about running high strength 28 spline axles especially since I dropped to 36's a little over a year ago.

Now..............the front axles?................That's a different story. The only way to upgrade it is an SAS. D60 preferably, but a D44 with Moser axles would work. Stock D44 axles are only a hair stronger than our D35 axles due to the section that is narrowed-down.

[Digger]

Stock 8.8 axle width should be 58" WMS to WMS

For comparison:

Disc brake EB44 61.5"
Chevy disc brake EB44 62"
Full width 9" 65"

[Starkman]

I guess it all comes down to traction aid availability. You have a 28 spline Detroit Locker and you can't get stronger than that.

Did you ever think about c-clip eliminators? I could see some benifit if you did break a axle.