3.55 VS 4.10 Carrier
 

My 04 Ranger has an 8.8 4.10 open rear. I am looking at a 8.8 carrier, but it has a 3.55 on it now. Can someone tell me for sure if my 4.10 gears will fit on the 3.55 carrier and work? I know there is a split in the carrier designs somewhere, but I don't know where. Thanks.

You can slap those on no probem.No case break on the 8.8 make sure both carriers have the same spline count there is a 28 and 31 spline

A case break is where the carrier is made differently to accept "X" ratio and down VS another carrier to accept above "X" ratio. I don't know that much about the 8.8 as I have not dealt with meny, but if there is no case break, that would be a first. I've been at it a long time.....still doesn't mean much though. Thanks. At least I know I can use it now.

As far as I know with the 8.8 you can run from a 3.00 to a 6.14 on the same carrier you just have to run a notched cross pin with in order to get the c-clips on and off

Yes, the carrier I am looking at comes with a cross pin. I looked on the Summit site and all of the 8.8 limited slip carrier applications say "all ratios", so this is a first for me. Thanks for the help.

The only differences in the 8.8 diff is traction lock and conventional. Other than that I couldn't find any differences or changes.If someone could chime in with other information maybe a difference in castings or something. The gear ratio doesn't make a difference as far as not working is concerned. Just go ahead and swap the ring gear over to the new carrier if that's what you're asking.

I don't know what you know. i am assuming you're not a mechanic because of the question.

Before you remove your carrier record the backlash and when you reinstall the carrier set the backlash to the same as what it was from before it was removed. ( very important! )

Do you have the set up procedure and specs? if you need them pm me. Read the procedures before you touch anything and follow them to the T.

No, I've been a mechanic since 1974. I am simply not familiar enough with the 8.8 to know whether it had a case break similar to that of other makes. GM does, Mopar does. Even a lot of the imports do. That's why I asked the question I did, because most every other make has one carrier for low gearsets and one carrier for high gearsets. The difference being the ring gear flange location. This is to facilitate gear contact, as the pinion gear decreases in diameter with the lower gearsets. Evidently with the 8.8, thicker ring gears are simply made to make up the difference. As far as backlash, yes, it is important, but if I had to choose between which is most important, it would be pinion gear depth. Unless it is grossly out of spec, backlash does not effect how the gear pattern wears, while only a fer thousandths out of spec, the pinion gear depth can cause failure. We used to routinely set backlash up at "zero" on the race cars back in the early 80s and let it wear in backlash. Never had a failure. Once you've set up a hundred or more ring and pinions, you can feel what .008" - .012" is supposed to feel like and that range will take care of over 90% of what's out there. Drivetrain work is not something I am unfamiliar with by a long shot. The 8.8 on the other hand, is.

I was just trying to be helpful that is why I said "I don't know what you know". Apparently you got things under control. If you needed the help I would have helped you out with whatever steps you needed to be successful with your repair.

...and I appreciate every BIT of your help. That's why I posted the question.....because I am unfamiliar with the 8.8. I may need some more pointers so stand by.