1988 rear end
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
1988 rear end
From what I hear, pretty hard. The mechanical aspect should be easy, but isn't your speed sensor on the top of the 8.8"? Your speedometer, then by default your computer, wouldn't have any signal if you didn't have a place to put the sensor. At least that is the way it is with the 1993's.
Best,
Best,
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver WA
1988 rear end
I think the '88's still used the transmission mounted speedo cable (according to Chilton's anyway), but there is the RABS sensor on the diff. ( I know that's what's used for the speedo on the newer trucks as well as the ABS.) The speedo would still work but the RABS wouldn't.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
1988 rear end
i read u can swap a 9er in but will need to tap it for the speedo cable and if the truck has ABS u'll need that sensor as well...why not just beef up the 8.8? wont cost much more then beefin up the 9er, just those darn C-clips
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Thunder Bay,ON Canada
1988 rear end
As mustang said, the 8.8 will serve you better than the 9" in most aspects, it is just as strong. You can swap the 9" in with ease. You will lose your antilock, but the old system never worked that good anyway. The speedo is cable driven on an 88. The only problem I do see is the spring pads, if I remember correctly the the leaf springs are closer together on the pre 80 models of F series. If C clips are your only concern just buy the eliminator kit for the 8.8, then you have the easy axle change of the 9.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
1988 rear end
The 8.8 is a strong axle, stock it can easily handle 37's and some serious horsepower (mustangs use them). You can also easily modify them, get rid of the C-clips, put a new diff cover on that supports the bearing caps, and if you want they do make a full floater conversion kit, but I havn't seen it around in awhile.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
1988 rear end
More & more people are realizing that the 8.8" is every bit as strong as the 9" (if not stronger) and has MUCH more parts available; not only in aftermarket, but also used/reman. The 9" can't be made to work with the ABS (according to Currie), so stick with an 8.8". If you don't mind redrilling your front hubs/rotors, you can swap in a late-model 8.8" with disks and change to the '97-current F-150 16" rims. That's what I'm doing as soon as my 15" tires wear out.
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