8.8" - 9"
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
8.8" - 9"
The 8.8 is actually stronger then a gm 10 bolt. Look at the ring gears side by side..the 8.8 is much thicker. I belive the axle shafts are a bit thicker too...
Also...don't weld the tubes to the center section. Its cast iron, and most of us don't have the proper equipment to weld cast iron. What your going to do by welding it is weaken it, and make it sucseptable to cracking. If you realy want to make a stronger axle...the rear cover is a good start..they do make full floater kits to convert your 8.8 if you want to...also the c clip eliminator is a little cheaper place to start. i'm building a wrap around axle truss that will attach to both axle tubes, this will transfer at least part of any uneven load to the other tube...
Anyone who doesn't think the 8.8's can stand alot of abuse....i'll send you video of my truck four wheeling...and you'll belive me...i've got video of the truck with the driver side hanging off the ground...truck bouncing on the rear axle...all kinds of fun stuff...
anyhow...i'd rebuild a 8.8 over a nine...but i plan on going to a 10.5 sooner or later.
RYan
Also...don't weld the tubes to the center section. Its cast iron, and most of us don't have the proper equipment to weld cast iron. What your going to do by welding it is weaken it, and make it sucseptable to cracking. If you realy want to make a stronger axle...the rear cover is a good start..they do make full floater kits to convert your 8.8 if you want to...also the c clip eliminator is a little cheaper place to start. i'm building a wrap around axle truss that will attach to both axle tubes, this will transfer at least part of any uneven load to the other tube...
Anyone who doesn't think the 8.8's can stand alot of abuse....i'll send you video of my truck four wheeling...and you'll belive me...i've got video of the truck with the driver side hanging off the ground...truck bouncing on the rear axle...all kinds of fun stuff...
anyhow...i'd rebuild a 8.8 over a nine...but i plan on going to a 10.5 sooner or later.
RYan
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 2
From: Copley, OH
8.8" - 9"
>he decieded to go with the 9" swap...hes running 35"s and
>doesnt wanna break it again. o well i tried to talk him
>outta it.
He's crazy.
He won't have a speedometer or an odometer, if he has an automatic transmission it will not shift out of 1st, he won't have anti-lock brakes and he will have enough error codes getting fed to his PCM that the truck never will run right unless he solves the exciter ring/vehicle speed sensor problem. Any attempt to fit a 9" must first address that issue. By virtue of the fact that he's even asking the question, I can safely assume he hasn't got the ability or resources to do that himself. He needs to contact Currie, Mosher or Strange about the possibility and cost of fitting these parts to a 9" vs. the cost of building a bulletproof 8.8" I'll bet the 8.8 comes out a lot cheaper.
>doesnt wanna break it again. o well i tried to talk him
>outta it.
He's crazy.
He won't have a speedometer or an odometer, if he has an automatic transmission it will not shift out of 1st, he won't have anti-lock brakes and he will have enough error codes getting fed to his PCM that the truck never will run right unless he solves the exciter ring/vehicle speed sensor problem. Any attempt to fit a 9" must first address that issue. By virtue of the fact that he's even asking the question, I can safely assume he hasn't got the ability or resources to do that himself. He needs to contact Currie, Mosher or Strange about the possibility and cost of fitting these parts to a 9" vs. the cost of building a bulletproof 8.8" I'll bet the 8.8 comes out a lot cheaper.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
8.8" - 9"
8.8 is the way to go. Print this out and send it to him dude.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: college station usa
8.8" - 9"
well im the guy he's talking about, and i re-thought the idea of the 9" and damn that's was alot of work, so yester day i bought a 8.8 out of a wrecked 94 eddie bauer, had 3.55' and limited slip, exactly what was in it b4 so i installed it today in 4 hours and thatnx for all ur posts guys u changed my mind, thanx for all the info, i apprecate it,
and hope this rear end last a little longer,
here is where u can find a pic of my truck,
james,~can u feel the thunder?~
and hope this rear end last a little longer,
here is where u can find a pic of my truck,
james,~can u feel the thunder?~
