Hey guys, I've got a question for yall. I've searched and searched, but still couldn't get a good answer. First off, I do mostly 80% offroad (mostly mud) and 20% onroad driving, and I'm looking for some help on what to get for the rear axle of my 92 Ford Bronco. It's got 7"s of lift, and 35"s. It's got an open 8.8inch rear, and I need a suggestion on what to get, a mini-spool, a spool, or a LS.
I don't want to spend more than 400 bucks (I'm cheap, I can't help it), but the cheaper the better (but I don't want to weld the gears). I need something that can handle both the 35s and my heavy right foot (which I know is a hard task for the 8.8 but I don't have the cash to switch the axle out for something better). I was thinking about getting a LS, but I wasn't sure if one would be able to reliably handle the 35s) And I was concerned if the 8.8 could handle either of the spools and the 35s without breaking an axle every time I take it out to play. I'm leaning towards one of the spools, for the traction, but I'm not sure how my poor 8.8 would handle it. Any advice you guys could give

 

if you go to www.broncograveyard.com they have quite a few diffs to choose from. For my truck, which is about 50/50 on and off road, I'm going with a Detroit Locker for $565. They say that you don't want one in icy conditions, but... Also, the Dana Power Lock LSD is said to have about 95% lockup, and its $265 on BGY. Or you could get an ARB air locker for $732 and have the best of both worlds, open or fully locked, at the flip of a switch.

 

Maybe I posted on worng thread. Is the bolt pattern of F-450 8 lug 2 speed rear end the same as that of F-250?

 

Go with a Lockrite. It'll break around the same time as your 8.8.

Seriously though, that is what I'd buy. Either a lockright or aussie locker.

 

You couple probably find a similarly geared 9" for relatively cheap and minispool or full spool it for the cost of locking the 8.8. Then you'd have an axle that you could even put money into if need be, rather then the dead end that the 8.8 is.

 

why not weld them? you say mini or full spool but its the same as welding, just a thought. for 400 bucks you could weld up a 9 inch and be way better for the get go.

 

I agree wtih Chrono, weld the gears an forget about it till you snap it, then upgrade to something worthwhile.

If you aren't competent enuf to weld it yourself, pay someone to weld it an pocked the rest of the money, no need to blow it on a locker for a lost cause axle.

 

have you ever priced 9" stuff, you can buy a mini spool for under $20 so why would you bother taking the time and effort to weld one up, heck you can buy a full billet steel spool for the 9" for around $100 brand new or a cheaper version for around $70.

 

Ok, well thanks for the replies guys, I decided to just weld the 8.8, as I found a guy that would do it for $50 (which is a fine price to me as I don't have a welder, and he's done the same to both his Rangers and his Bronco 2 and he's really good at it) so it works for me. Beats the prices of a LS or either of the spools. I see what you mean Crono and ramboss, no sence in wasting money, just weld it, and once it snaps invest in a 9inch. Thats an excuse to finally replace that crappy 8.8 with something better. There is no better reason to replace something, than from having it self destruct from the abuse I'm sure it'll see. Agian, thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

Start looking now. Your 8.8 probably won't like being welded solid if you flog her alot.

Are you planning on going bigger? You might start looking at 1ton axles too, if you're gonna go to bigger tires or more power.

 

35's are going to be as big of a tire as I go, I don't plan on putting any more lift on my Bronco, either. I might buy the axles out of a 3/4ton or a 1ton to put in the Bronco after I destroy my 8.8, and the D44. I don't plan on putting in any more power in this Bronco either, the most I would do it replace a blown engine with another stock 351. I don't have the funds to build the engine or the tranny. But I do have some connections at the local junkyards (plus I have a frequent customer discount , lol) So I can replace whatever I break. I don't feel like going through all the trouble to put a 4 speed in my Bronco to replace the E4OD, so the motor is going to stay mostly stock, as I hate an automatic, and I'm not going to build a nice motor and have the power put to the pavement through a stinkin automatic tranny . But if I find another Bronco that has a 4-speed (but not that junk Mazda 5-speed) already in it, I will happily put a built motor into that, but thats a different story.
So long story short, tires and engine stay just the way they are. I might invest in a 3/4ton axle once the 8.8 dies, it depends on the price difference between one of those, and a 9inch. Truthfully I'm hell bent on destroying that perfectly good 8.8 (well an 8.8 is far from perfect, but you get the idea) before spring is over so I can have a stout setup ready to use during the summer. So me and all my buds can go out and go muddin without having to worry too much about the crappy 8.8 dieing on me.