So I'm at the junkyard looking for a 7.5 4.10 LS and the guy says that I can put a 8.8 4.10 Locked and just get a new drive shaft to axle connection thing and its no biggy, he said 700 after having it shipped to him. I don't plan on getting one from him but could find one around for good price prob.

Also, I am sketchy about a locker, I don't want the rear tires wearing out mad fast, this is my daily driver, would a locker do this?

Has anyone gone from a 7.5 to a 8.8? Is no sweat like I am told? Just looking for someone to shed a lil light on this area, any help is much appreciated. Thanks, Nik.

 

easy as hell. His price is expensive, UNLESS it comes witha locker in it, wwhich is worth it i believe.

Also, no new driveshaft is needed, all the rearends are the same length.

 

What about the locker and tire wear, I would love a locker for offroading but unfortunately I don't do it enough and can't afford new tires all the time. Thanks again for the help.

 

Hes talking about the axel flange. The flange sizes are different. I have a locker in my 7.5 and have nothing but good things to say about it. And no it doesnt wear your tires out any faster.

 

I decided to go with a LS, I found a 8.8 4.10 LS for 550, just about as high as I can go, but it will work. Are the arms on the axle the same width with 7.5's and 8.8's? I want to use the same U bolt set up. Thanks again for the help.

 

yah im sure they are

 

Im pretty sure your gonna need wider U-bolts cause the axel tubes are bigger...well at least on the X-ploder 8.8's they are. But everything else for a ranger 8.8 is plug and play after the flange is swaped.

 

Nope, tubes, shafts, and associated bearings are the same from a 7.5 to a 28 spline 8.8. Only thing stronger on a 28 spline 8.8 vs. 7.5 is the ring and pinion and their bearings and of course the housing itself.

If it's the drive flange from a 28 spline 8.8 Ranger you need I got one. Pay shipping and it's yours....

 

If I can find a explorer 8.8 with disk brakes, is there anything special to do when installing since I am going from drum to disk?

 

you would need to weld on new spring perches and shock tabs... the reason being that explorers run the leaves under the axle with the shocks mounted to the spring plate... you would also need to the get the brake lines from the explorer, as well... not to mention some new, wider u-bolts and spring plates (the 31-spline 8.8 has wider tubes)... after all was said and done, mine cost $800 with everything listed... but I paid to much because I had a shop do the work... I just put the axle on myself...

Joey

 

if i had a 7.5 I would put a 31-spline 8.8 in it unless i found a 28 spline 8.8 really cheap.