I am looking at Yukon Gear and want to step up to the 31 Spline, but I do not know what Length of axle shafts I need for my 95 4X4 in the 8.8 I have. I will be upgrading to 4.56 gears and adding ARB lockers (hopefully, money permiting).

What I was wondering since I am totally clueless as to Differentials:

Besides the afore mentioned parts, what else will I need parts wise from Yukon gear. I am not going to worry about the front axle for now as I will be doing a SAS and Suspension upgrade with it.

 

I think I may have found the right axles. Can some one confirm these part numbers please?

YA F880014 [21196]
YA F880015 [21197]

Both are from Yukon, and they are for the 95 and newer Explorers.

 

Do you have 31 spline axle shafts now? If not I do not believe you can use 31 spline axles in a 28 spline housing. The shafts are larger in diameter.

 

id just get explorer axle..

gain 31 spline
gain disc brakes..

 

I will get the Explorer housing..... I want the stronger 31 splines and will do anything to get them.

 

this is going to be one of those mods that happens when I get the SAS HP Dana 30 and Rubicon Express 5.5 lift. I will get both axles built right the first time and both air locker'd. I am looking to do this right the first time around.

 

full floater 9" 35spline shafts.... DO IT... it would only cost a couple grand

 

Hahahaha!!!!!!!!

 

I have a 31 spline rear from an FX4 LII and I've beat the crap out of it 2WD offroading. I really thrashed it since it does all the work and I have to hit things hard. It's held up pretty well. It's a good mod.

 

you shouldn't need to get an explorer housing. the 31 spline shafts should fit in the 8.8 i have on my 95, or so I have read. Can some one confirm this for sure?

 

just call up yukon and tell them what you got they know the lengths and will give you the right parts..

 

they will not fit. different tube sizes and bearing sizes.

28 spline 8.8 has 2.75" diameter axle tube
31 spline 8.8 has 3.25" diameter axle tube

YOUR AXLE will NOT hold 31 spline axles.

 

the only thing you can do to your axle i think is bolt on discs if its the right flange but i dnt remember if it is..

better off getting complete explorer adn just upgrading the shafts

 

You can't bolt the disc brakes on a 28 spline.

You were told correctly above: the 28 spline axle bearings are different. The 31 spline are larger and stronger. The differential bearings however are the same for both.

The axle end seals are different also.

With the Explorer or FX4 31 spline axle housing you can bolt on disc brakes easily.

 

thats it..i knew it could be with 28 spline 8.8 but didnt know which 8.8 it was..i knew bill did but also a level II axle..

ive got an explorer axle under my truck and the brakes own..havent tested out the higher spline but also gained LS..

ran me bout 500 bucks..for axles, LS, gears, bearings, seals the whole deal..and well worth it..

if your not going to FW id stick with built 8.8 or even just stock explorer axle..if your going FW id go with 9" or 14 bolt

 

x3. You can't stick 31 spline axle shafts in a 28 spline housing.

When John says differential bearings, I think he's saying carrier bearings. So you can use the same "master install kit" for ring and pinion gears for either a 28 spline or 31 spline axle shafts.

Evan, he mentioned solid-swapping a dana 30 in for the front, so it looks like he's trying to stay about stock width, not full-width.

 

Yea. I want to stay stock width right now. The thought has crossed my mind to do Dana 44 and cut the tubes and shafts, but I don't want to. Now that I have a platform worth doing this to, I am trying to do it right the first time and that way It is as solid as I can make it without going back to the drawing board. I will stay with 35x12.50 Mickey Thompson MTZ's for now. I may, MAY, upgrade at a later date to 37's, but that is way down the road if it happens, so 4.56's are going to be good for me since she will be a daily driver.

Zach, thanks for the clarification bro. I am going to use your front end as my "model" to go by. My only think is, How the hell can I get those XJ leafs from Rubicon to do a Leaf Under Axle mount on the Ranger, and line up the shackle mounts?

Like I said, all of this is new to me, and I am trying to do the best research I can, but somethings just don't seem to answer themselves. :)

 

I think a 31 spline 8.8 is stronger than a dana 44.

 

It's generally regarded as such.

 

that is what i have heard, but you have no clue how many times it has been recommended to me. I just know how strong that 31 spline 8.8 is and i want to keep that in the rear. on a side note, Can anyone tell me how good an Aussie Locker up front would be over an ARB air locker?

 

There are a bunch of people on here with aussie lockers and i have only heard good things of them. An arb is nice because of the selectability. If i was building a set of axles i would have detroits in both but thats just me. Less stuff to go wrong. I like my stuff bulletproof.

 

You're going to really be pushing the limits of a D30 if you want 35s or 37s. With a locker in the front, I'd give your axle two trips max before something gives. Save yourself the trouble and find a wagoneer front D44 for the front of your truck.

As far as an aussie locker vs. an ARB... the ARB will be stronger because it's a carrier replacement, but Aussie lockers I think are a great buy for their price. I think I've heard of maybe one aussie locker breaking. Detroit lockers are great also.

Also, remember that you can unlock your front hubs and you won't have to worry about the effects of the locker on the road.

 

On a D30 you cannot, big thing i forgot about when i did mine. another reason for running a D44.

 

I think you are confused. I am running XJ Coils. Not Leafs. I have Leafs in the rear but those are chevy springs mounted like the ranger ones.

The front D30 was setup for coils I bought XJ coils to mount in there.

 

Don't you have lockouts on your axle?