im thinking of buying a 8.8 rear end with 456 gears and limited slip drums...for around 400 bucks
or just buy a 7,5 with 410's and limited slip ....for 175..
is the 8.8 really worth the extra money?
Its for my daily driver and im planning on pushing 33's or 32's

 

yes espically if it is already setup with 4.56 gears and limited slip.......the gears, install kit, and limited slip would run $500+........not to mention the extra strength of the 8.8 over the 7.5

 

get it mark you will be happier.

 

yeah im seriously thinking about it..But the guy who i met up with today seemed kinda sketchy,...i really cant tell if it really has 456 gears in it or limited slip... or if its even a 8.8....and i kinda want to build up my front end a little better b4 i buy the rear end..i just want a opinion if its really worth the price difference between the 2..either my prices or someone elses

 

8.8 stock **** , and I love it. Makes me feel all warm inside knowing I have something beafy down there.

 

get the 8.8 and just save the money for the front end.

 

In a CarCraft article...

8.8 28spline = lil weaker than a GM 12bolt
8.8 31spline = GM 12bolt, maybe even better than the 12bolt.
8.8 = alot lighter than a 9".

 

haha to bad thats the only thing beefy down there ...lol j/k jared...

 

Lol right after I posted that I figured that was comming.

 

the standard 8.8 found in rangers is barely stronger then the 7.5 just to let you know.. the strong 8.8 are from an explorer or the lvl 2 rangers.

 

if it isn't a 31 spline, then it probably isn't worth it.

 

I know mine is an 8.8 limited slip from the factory but is there a way to tell if its a 31 spline w/out tearing it apart or did Ford even offer a 31 spline option with the 8.8?

 

look on your drive side door sticker, there should be an "axle code".
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

i had my factory 7.5 and when we put the 295s on we blew it to peices in first hour, bought on out of a 94 expo and it lasted for quite a while until she dried up (dont ask), so i went and bought a 31 spline 8.8 LS out of an 04 lvl 2 with 4:10s and i love it, it has taken some pretty good abuse and shows no problems so far, i love it, just gotta find a locker.

 

if its out of a lvl2 it has one of the best limited slips(torsion) you can get.

 

That would be correct. The torsen is one of the best. I think that the Detroit True Trac has it beat though. Just my .02

 

Wow that helped a lot, thanks bro

 

i agree... save your money and get the good stuff