So my truck is a 1986 F150 regular cab long bed 2wd with the 302 and 3.55 Non-LS rear end. Now i'm interested in the idea of beefing up my rear end, I'd like to go with a 3/4 rear end with 4.10 gears and getting leaf springs for an f250 to help increase my load capacity. Any thoughts, tips or alternative ideas are welcome,

 

You'd have 8 lug wheels in the rear. The 8.8 is a pretty stout rear, the frame on the 150 is thinner so it's questionable how much extra load you can carry. You can get 4.10 gears to install into the 8.8 if you want.

 

Amen. A slight upgrade that keeps the 5-lug axles would be to go with a 9". But probably not worth it as the 8.8 will stand up to reasonable abuse behind that engine.

 

I would change the ratio in the 8.8 and get some helper springs. You have to consider the front brakes do most of the stopping and they arent rated for that much of a heavy load. The 8.8 open rear ends are pretty stout. The LS variety not as. Maybe you are just ready to step up to a 3/4 ton.

 

How much are you planning to tow? You need to consider that a vehicles payload capacity is determined by many things, not just axle load capacity. Your braking system and spring rates largely dictate how much you can safely haul.

Also, many people may disagree with me on this but IMO the 8.8 is a superior axle in comparison to a factory spec 9".

 

not to mention with stock front end and 3/4 rear end youd have to carry two different spare tires

 

Alright thanks for the advice guys, it seems like the best option is just get helper springs and gears. I'm planning to run 33s in the future so I'm just looking to beef up my rear end. Now what all axles can I pull 4.10s out of and have them be a straight swap into my axle?

 

Only a truck with an 8.8. The cars have a different # of splines on the axle shafts.

 

Ok how rare are 4.10s for the 8.8?
I'm trying to see if it's worth looking around for used ones or just buying new

 

Pretty rare. Just get some new ones. Gears, bearings and install should run about 650 - 700. You can also add a limited slip diff at this point too.

 

Factory 4.10s aren't rare around here. They came in explorers and 1/2 tons from the factory.

 

They are around here.
I was wanting to hear some of the opinions about the 8.8's being superior to the 9" also.

 

Explorers yes, 1/2 tons, not so much.

I can't see taking gears from a junkyard explorer rear to try and save $200. The axle itself isn't a bolt in.

As for the 8.8 vs 9" the higher pinion height makes the 8.8 more efficient.

 

Dunno the spline count, cuz the car parts catalog doesn't say, but...

1979/89 LTD/Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, 1980/83 Continental Mark VI, 1982/89 Town Car 8.5 & 8.8 axleshafts (D9AZ-4234-A) same R/L, are 30 7/8" long.

1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog:

Some 1983/89 F100/150/Bronco 8.8 use the same axleshafts R/L, some use right and left specific axle shafts. Axleshafts are longer than these cars.

8.8 4.10-1 ratio only offered with L/S.

8.8: Rear axle parts list #236 without Limited Slip / Rear axle parts list #238 with L/S

Axleshaft specs not listed in parts lists, get the axleshaft part number from the parts lists, then take it here: Text section 41, pages 18 & 19.

 

ND - Thanks. So, the 8.8 axles don't have a different spline count on trucks as the 9's do? (I know I can look it up, but am too lazy to do so.)