My new to me 89 Bronco rear is a 8.8 with some type of traction diff, and anti lock brakes. Its all ground up in the spider gears and the gear that I believe has somthing to due with the anti lock brakes. The ring and pinion is still good as far as I can tell. The local parts house said that there are no replacment spider gears for this type of limited slip. And they are asking 400$ for a junkyard special. Any ideas here? Also if I can upgrade to a 9 inch from a early 80s type due I have to usethe anti lock braeks or modify my drive shafts?

 

I too have an 89 that I Purchased 6 months ago with an 8.8 rear that I just pulled out. I'm getting ready to take it to a shop to be rebuilt. Mainly for that reason. The spider gears are the worst thing for 4x4's, I think. The parts place is correct, as far as I know, there are no replacement spider gears. Don't go junkyard specials if you could help it, unless the axle housing is totally trashed, then rebuid it. I am getting ready to replace the lousy spider gears with a detroit locker pro series, I'll get more details next week on it. I'm also putting in 4.1 gear ratio to replace the 3.55 gears. I am also trying to replace the drums with rotors, also more details next week, may have to cut axle housing(?).

The 8.8 rear could be just as good as a 9", especially if you go with a full floating axle system, so I've heard. The main problem with the 9" is that it's not compatible the the ABS (anti-lock brake system). As far as I know the 9" rear is not made with ABS capabilities. The ring you had mentioned is mounted behind(driver's side) the ring gear, is the tone ring for the ABS. If you look on top of the axle housing you will see a sensor that is held in by 1 bolt, which senses the teeth on the tone ring inside the housing.

 

I too have an 89 that I Purchased 6 months ago with an 8.8 rear that I just pulled out. I'm getting ready to take it to a shop to be rebuilt. Mainly for that reason. The spider gears are the worst thing for 4x4's, I think. The parts place is correct, as far as I know, there are no replacement spider gears. Don't go junkyard specials if you could help it, unless the axle housing is totally trashed, then rebuid it. I am getting ready to replace the lousy spider gears with a detroit locker pro series, I'll get more details next week on it. I'm also putting in 4.1 gear ratio to replace the 3.55 gears. I am also trying to replace the drums with rotors, also more details next week, may have to cut axle housing(?).

The 8.8 rear could be just as good as a 9", especially if you go with a full floating axle system, so I've heard. The main problem with the 9" is that it's not compatible the the ABS (anti-lock brake system). As far as I know the 9" rear is not made with ABS capabilities. The ring you had mentioned is mounted behind(driver's side) the ring gear, is the tone ring for the ABS. If you look on top of the axle housing you will see a sensor that is held in by 1 bolt, which senses the teeth on the tone ring inside the housing.

I hope this helps let me know.
Kimball

1989 Bronco XLT
Coming soon: 4" superlift superunner series lift, New brake system

 

I think the anti lock brakes on those years ('89) would be anti lock on the front brakes only.

 

I decided to go the rebuild it like a safe route. I bought a Auburn gear pro 31 limited slip, Moser engineering axles, and Strange gears 4.56 ratio. And a trick flow rear bearing support. I cost a touch over 1000.00$ But I think its strong enough for my use. The limited slip performance makes the stock ls look like a chop! This thing goes! I have yet to try it four wheeling because I am still saving the money for the frontend rebuild. I am not sure how well this rear set-up will work in the winter on ice though. Because it likes to sqwak a tire around tight corners or in paeking lots. From the research I have done the 8.8 rears weak link is the rear bearing caps really deflect. Thats why I sprung for that speacial cover.

 

First of all SORRY for the double posting

To roadrage2
just a little info on the ABS systems(anti-lock Brakes); On the Bronco's 92 and early Ford did not put ABS on the front. it is what they call RABS1 (Rear Anti-Lock Brake System). In 93 Ford decided to upgrade the ABS systems on all Trucks with their new RABS2 System. And the Broncos got the full four wheel ABS system from 93 to 96. I wish I did have the anti-lock brakes in the front. I have been trying to see about converting my RABS1 system to the full four wheel ABS.

 

I have a '95 Bronco and was told the antilock was only front. Was that F-series or was I just misinformed?

 

In 93 the 4 wheel ABS became standard on the Bronco. More often then not if the vehicle has RABS, it is for the rear not front. If it has ABS, it has 4 wheel ABS. I don't think I ever heard of just a front ABS sytem without the rear being setup as ABS also. There is a big Bronco history page at http://www.off-road.com/ford/bigbroncos/faq.html

I hope this helps

 

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Hey rayzor
Just wanted to say that I just droped my 8.8 rear-end off at the shop today for complete rebuild. I'm also putting in Auburn gear pro 31 limited slip, 4.1 gear ratio, and a master install kit. I'm also, changing from drums to rotors. The cost just over $2,000. The rotor conversion consists of Dutchman motorsport axles 31 spline Flange mount axle, disc brake kit, Calipers. Basically Building the 8.8 to be just as reliable as a 9". I've thought about the rear bearing support, but with the change over with the rotor converstion I didn't think it was necessary, neither did the shop.

 

I had heard that the rear bearing caps had deflection problems. I will be going to 35 inch tires and a big block is in the plan also. So I figured it was cheap insurance. Besides that the cover is ultra beefy and looks real neat. A far cry better then the plastic cover that was on it. By the way I was having problems with my limited slip being real chattery around corners. So I changed the oil and used the Auburn limited slip additive instead of the Valvoline, and it smoothed out completly. Ray