Will the drum brakes from a 1996 8.8 axle fit a 2003 8.8 31 spline axle? The axles tube on the 96 is 2.75" and the 03 is 3.25. I don't have access to both of them right now.

 

The backing plates are different....different bolt pattern on the flange. they won't work.
But the actual drum itself, i don't see why not.

 

Thanks Grant I was kind of figuring that was the case.

 

No problem. Alternatively, you can get the expo brake parts and swap them onto your LII rear.
You'd have disc (if you got them from a 95-01), or drum (91-94).
I think that is what Shane is doing...swapping over expo disc brakes onto his LII rear.