What are the odds of me being able to find a 31 spline Lvl II axle anywhere? Where should I look other than a local junkyard? Also, are there any other axles that are stronger that I could bolt into my truck without having to cut any axle shafts or axle tubes? How much would I expect to pay for this? Thanks a ton for your help guys!

 

There were some '02 31 spline axles floating around on ebay not too long ago, some even w/ the torsen in them. Fair warning though, '02 was the first year of the FX4 (later LII) package. They had some sort of problem w/ the torsens that year. Ford's solution was to pull and replace the entire rear axle on all '02 FX4's equipped w/ the manual trans. My theory is that some dealers/techs nabbed the used axles and were selling them. The torsen could be questionable in said axles. Ford did not replace the axles in the autos.. so they might not be that bad.

If you're going the John Griggs route and replacing the diff anyhow, then it is of no concern. But I like to remind people looking at used 31 spline axles..

Also I believe the Explorer had the 31 spline available as well. Could pull one from an X. Although you would have to rework the perches..

 

I got one of those axles, complete sans Torsen, for $80 from a Jeeper who had bought it for a project, but then went with an F-150 axle instead.

You can also get Explorer axles, and cut off and reweld the spring perches. Explorers are "spring under" axle, and Rangers are "spring over" axle. Pay attention to pinion angle. An advantage of the Explorer route is that you can get disc brakes on the deal. [Homer Simpson voice] mmmmmmm....disc brakes....

The housing is pretty strong on the 31 spline, with axle tubes as thick as a Ford 9 inch. You can buy aftermarket axles to put in there to make it even stronger.

Frequent the Jeep boards. Mine showed up on the Paragon board and Carl called my attention to it (THANKS CARL!) and I jumped on it.

 

Are you breaking axles? Why the need for 31 spline your stock 27 spline should be good even with 33's. Just depends how hard you wheel and if you have a locker.

IMO, break the 27 spline 1st than bulid bigger and stronger, just my 2 pennys.

 

28 spline.

 

Personally I'd rather start with strong and not get stuck offroad with a broken axle..which is why I'm installing a 31 spline Explorer ASAP.

 

Come, come, now: what is a spline or two between friends....

 

28 my bad.

To each his own, I just give my 2 pennys. I've only heard of 2 people breaking a 8.8 28 spline. Carl who has a locker and was hammering down when he was stuck, and D who was on the bottle and he needed at least a Ford 9 inch to keep this together with the way he drives.

 

I did mine because of the locker, 4.56 and the 35's. All my mighty 3.0's engine torque goes through the rear axle and I just didn't want to find out the "hard way", lol.

 

im prolly gonna go ected this summer, if theres money left over, and have it wired up right. think the 28 spline with 33s should be able to handle it? i dont go too rough off road.

 

I hesitate to say yes, but I think so. People have run 33's on 28 splines with no problems, but stronger is better, of course.

 

if anything id just spend the cash on some 28 spline mosers or dutchmans. ive been waiting to blow the 28 splines in the torino (9 inch) so i could upgrade to 31s or 35s, but they havent broken yet, if they do ill end up getting mosers probably

 

Ok thanks for the advice guys! I was just doing the "stronger is better" thought process, and I know down the line I'll probably be doing alot harder wheeling than I am now. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, right? Would the differential from my 8.8" 28 spline work in a 31 spline? My first inclination is to say no, but there's always some hope!

 

probably not unless the receiver (female) portion of it was stepped with the thicker 31 spline on the outside and the thinner 28 spline located behind that

 

Kyle--

Find a 75-77 bronco SAS with Dana44 in the front and 9 inch in the rear youll be good to go.