well i need a new rear axel because my truck slid in the rain and hit the rear tire and now the axel is bent there. so what axel is the best? i have heard the 8.8's are a easy fit, but what about a ford 9 inch? anyways im poor and will be buying from a junkyard so any help on what trucks use those axels would be greatly appriciated

 

Well if your poor just go with a 8.8" or do you need the strength of a 9" for some reason?

 

well i dont need the strength but it would be nice to have it just incase but what other trucks used a the 8.8 that would fit in? where any a lsd?

 

9" is a full width axle..it will stick out farther the the front..

 

ok so then i think im rolling a 8.8 then what truck has one with a lsd?

 

You have to look at the tap on the axle to find out what it has.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

 

thanks that site helped alot. one last question how hard is swapping a axel? is something i need a lift for? or something i can take care of with some friends in the driveway?

 

what's actually bent? the housing? the axle shaft? the wheel flange? I vote find out what's wrong first...could be as simple as a inner axle shaft swap.

 

OK, ok, first of all just to clarify, not all 9 inch axles are full width. Early broncos and some mustangs came with them, and they obviously were not full width axles. Secondly, stock vs stock, a 9 inch isn't any stronger than an 8.8. They both have virtually the same size ring and pinion and they have the same size shafts. I know, "but the 9 inch has 3 pinion bearings... blah blah blah" So what? If your axle is in good shape then it doesn't matter. Now, with all that being said, yes a 9 can be built up stronger than an 8.8, but unless there is a big block in front of it with some drag slicks bolted on, it isn't going to matter, and he won't need a bomb proof built up 9 inch. The easiest thing would probably be to just fix yours if its just a bent shaft. If the housing is bent, an 8.8 from a ranger will bolt right in. Another idea is an explorer axle, which has 31 spline axles and disc brakes, and some come with a posi and 4.10 gears. The only down side is that you would have to weld on spring perches and shock mounts.

 

I found an FX4 level 2 axle. Its $449.

Here:
http://www.pamsauto.com/pc-336317-10...wlevel-ii.aspx

(looks like a hell of deal!)

 

$450? umm...no. Wasn't aware Level 2's were avaliable in stepside form.....

 

yeah, but thats a hell of a lot more work to install! welding, cutting, etc: http://therangerstation.com/tech_lib...plorer8_8.html

the FX4 would be a direct bolt on that anyone can do.

 

But what you posted is not a level 2 because no level 2 were stepsides....

What they are selling for $450 is a 8.8 28spline.

If it were a real level 2 axle...yea....really easy install.

 

ok so i finaly got the truck on a lift last night. turns out my rims bent abit and some more things. i dont know what the other parts where called so if anyone has a exploded view of the rear axel assembly that would help but it was the part with the studs for the rim that was also bent. there might be more but i only had enough time for that

 

 

it looks like part 4 with the holes is bent, thats all i know as of now

 

That truck is just a FX4 thats what it says on the back of the bed.

I would be weary of buying that axle look how far back the impact of it is

But according to the axle code
R7 L/S 8.8" 4.10 so it would be a good axle

I think it would only be the 28 spline though and not 31 spline