hey im wondering what the 8.8" axle will withstand power wise in the open diff and spooled with 3.55's ?

thanks
Crash

 

Atleast 500 horsepower, but I suggest getting a new diff cover with the studs that put preload on the bearing caps. The stock diff cover is too weak. You can also get C-clip eliminators which arnt a bad idea. It's a pretty strong axle.

 

Yea the 8.8 is almost as strong as a 9". It's an excellent light duty diff once you eliminate the c-clips.

 

It's kind of hard to compair it to a 9", a lot of people argue back and forth. In my opinion they both have their pros/cons and are equal.

 

seems ive stumbled across a great thread here, just what i was looking for...

yes i find the 8.8 is a strong axel, being my friend overloaded his 150 until the front end came off the ground and it only let go of a tube 6 months down the road after heavy off road and burnout abuse. I speculate the 8.8 replaced the 9 in production because it is cheaper to manufacture that design over a removable carrier/banjo housing. I am aware to the 9" excellent strengths and some of its weaknesses. My question lies in weight and efficiency:
A) what are the weight differences between the two?

B) Which one has less horsepower loss from the pinion to the wheels?

One cheap and dirty test for this would be the 80s f150 with a rear in good condition (Came with either axel depending on year) Place it on a dyno, check results. Swap in other axel making sure it has the same differential, gears and wheel size. Run again and examine results. Granted in higher horsepower applications friction differences can be a factor, but im sure this will show something. Anyone ever try something like this?

oh and dont forget a few other factors while testing: remove rear brakes, to ensure there is no dragging, also check the weight of the drums(possibly remove) and axel shafts to be somewhat equal for both.

 

I don't think you'd find enough of a difference to make it a factor.

 

Agreed... C-clip issues aside you won't find an appreciable difference.