The 8.8" came in rations all the way from 2.26 to 5.14. I would recommend something like the 3.08 or maybe 3.27 ratio depending on your transmission. Is your 4th gear 1:1 or an overdrive? I would probably recommend that a shop do the gear swap so it is set up correctly.

 

Lots of ring and pinion gearsets available on CL or other sites for not much $$$. Interesting that you got a rearend with 4:10 gears, the last one I pulled out of a Explorer XLT was 3:73. You have a good rearend there and as ranger pat posted, lots of ratios available.

 

 

Or replace your transmission with one that has overdrive. I have the same rear axle with the same ratio but I installed a 4R70W which has a 30% overdrive gear (most OD trans do). The 4.10:1 is very nice around town from a stop. And makes a significant difference in lowering engine RPMs at higher speeds . . . so you get the best of both worlds. I don't know where you are live in PA but you will like the lower 4.10:1 ratio axle when starting out on hills if you live in hilly Central or Western PA.

 

 

Replacing differential gears requires considerable skill and is best left to those with experience. There are plenty of parts kits and YouTube videos that demonstrate the process but I concluded it is not suitable for a one-time job by a novice. 4x4 shops that do a lot of off-road upgrades may be a place you can check for a quote.
I have a Ford 9-inch in my ’56. Besides being one of the best rear axles ever made, it uses a 3rd member that is easily replaced.

Good luck with your project.

 

Can't understand why guys build trucks to trailer them, the fun is in driving them and people like them with the odd road scare too...

 

 

I'm with you John , they have to be driven .
And the best trophies you can get are the stone chips you get driving them .

 

Neither one of mine are rat rods either...lol

 

 

Well 3.73 gears with an AOD you'll be running 1900 rpm doing 60 mph...nonsense enough for you...lol