So here is the scoop..

Ive got a 9" and D44 now out of a late 70s ford, not sure the year, dont have pics yet or numbers on the axles.

I also have a 8.8 31 spline with drums(with a disc brake kit on the way) and might have a 8.8 31 spline with discs with 1000 miles on it.

So

9"
8.8 with drums (possible disc brake kit on the way)
8.8 with discs (looking to get this in the next week or two if it dont sell)

I have a 8.8 28 spline on the truck now.

What should i do? get the 31 spline under there? or forget the 8.8s and get the 9" narrowed and under the truck?

i thought about just saving the 9" for when i setup my 4 link in the rear but i might as well run it until then ?

opinions? other options? speak up guys...

 

4 link 8.8 disc... with narrowed d44 with custom 5x4.5 bolt pattern lol

 

i think if you can, run the 9" if that is your future plan......but it definately needs to be narrowed and have custom axles made.....with Moser being not too far from you, that shouldnt be a problem.........the 9" should need about 2.75" taken off each side to make it Ranger width.....

 

couldn't work because the 4.5" bolt circle is too small for the Dana 44 hubs to go through........if anything the 8.8 could have custom axles made to have a 5x5.5 bolt pattern...

 

also i like the width of my D30 so im going a bit wider than a ranger.

and i want new wheels. 5on4.5 wont stay, going 5on5.5

 

ah gotcha

 

I vote either the Disk 8.8 or drum 8.8, which ever one you want to put in. For your application the 9" isnt needed. You also need to check if your year truck uses the Tone ring in the rear axle for anything other then ABS. Some years use them for the auto tranny and speedo also.

 

i still say go with the 9" since you are getting new wheels......it would take a lot of work to make a 5x5.5 brakes on the 8.8's......

 

the speedo gear is in the t-case isn't it

what would an auto tranny use the tone ring for? it shifts on engine rpm, not diff speed.....

 

Yea Zach you answered your own question with getting the new wheels. Go with the 9 inch.

 

your truck is differnt then the 98+ trucks. Certain years use the tone ring for speedo and shifting as well as the ABS.

 

I'm pretty sure it does not use the tone ring for speed.

 

thats a new 1 by me.........

 

what makes you say that? just the way i use the truck? I know it will seem odd with a 9" and a d30 but that is just temporary..

9" overkill for 35s i would assume?

I know i dont want the 5on4.5 i figure cost wont be much different for getting the 8.8 for 5on5.5 compared to running the 9"

 

he is right. but i think in 01-02 they stopped using it. 98-00 im pretty sure they used it.

 

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I would go unplug your sensor and drive around, then you can be sure that it wont affect anything. And if it doenst then go with the 9", but if it does you might have to rethink the 9" idea.

 

I think you are right about the years, but I would test it to be sure, would suck to have a 9" all built just to find out your speedo wont work and tranny wont shift.

 

hmmmmm

 

i think that you could fix with a different PCM......one out of a truck that doesn't have the tone ring doing those functions...

 

the explorer 8.8 is a pretty strong axle. and you arent pushing the limits of it with 35's, specially with the amount of wheeling you plan on doing it will be more then fine. Just look at Jey's truck, his 44 was what went when he had the 42's on his 8.8 had no problems. Would I run 42's on the 8.8 all the time? no. But he beefed it up about as much as he could with the welded tubes, full carrier locker and alloy shafts. A stock 8.8 or a 8.8 with alloy shafts for 5x5.5 would work well for you.

 

My truck is one of those years, but I bought a 1354M out of an explorer that has the speedo input on the tcase, im going to try and tie my speedo into that.

 

ya thats what i would do just unplug it and find out simple enough.. its not you are really running abs anymore on the front

 

oh defiantly. I will test it out and see how it works. if it does not work then i wont use the 9"

 

wouldn't you need a PCM that read the speed from the t-case to do that?

i agree that a 8.8 is a good choice, but spending the money on converting or aquiring a 8.8 with disc brakes and still having to have it chopped down for Ranger (or close to it) width, the 9" would be my choice. if you are going to do all that work, might as well do it 1 time and not worry about it.......the 9" has a better aftermarket following also....there are plenty of accessories like axle trusses and so forth....

 

oh yeah i agree, i just got the 9" for a trade and figured if its worth it ill use it. i know the gears are cheap for it compared to the 8.8...

guess ill just have to wait it out and see what works out