I found a detroit ez-locker for the 8.8 but the application says it only works on 87-96 8.8 rear ends. I have a 86 with the 8.8, what's the difference? will this locker work on my rear end? it is a detroit ez locker model 813A024

 

I don't know the difference, but maybe you can find a source online for some parts, and plug in both years and see if there is a difference.

1st pretend you are buying gears, and see if both 86 and 87 are the same.

2nd, see if you can find bearings and seals and see if they are the same.

or, you could call the people who make the locker and ask them.

 

maybe the 86 is a non reverse cut gears..

 

The 87-96 8.8 had that stupid Rear Anti Lock Brakes (RABS) witch never works anyways.

The pre 86 ones didn't have that.

The 87+ axles have a speed sensor in the axle that works on Hall Affect and has a thin ring gear bolted to the drive ring gear.