I found a low mileage disc brake 8.8" from a 99 Explorer with 3.73 gears and LSD for $125. My original intention was to swap it in under my Grand Cherokee, but I started thinking it could be a viable replacement for my 10 bolt in the future.

The fab work isn't a concern for me. I just need to know the overall length of a stock 7.5" 10 bolt, and if the offset pumpkin of the Explorer 8.8 is going to give me problems. Also, does anyone know if my early disc E brake cables will work with the Ford disc brakes?

 

 

In the ford comutatie they call the 8.8 the 8.8 grenade.

 

I don't feel like taking my wheels off to get a measurement when I'm sure they can be found on the internet. I don't have the 8.8 in my possession yet to measure clearances with the off set pumpkin and driveshaft.

The 31 spline 8.8 from Explorers are stronger than a D44 and almost as strong as a GM 12 bolt. I see them swapped all the time on Jeep boards and rarely do I see a problem. It should hold up fine to my 375hp. A 12 bolt and 9" would be overkill seeing as how my 7.5" 10 bolt is still alive, not to mention I'm getting the 8.8 complete disc to disc for $125.

 

if you end up going through with this, please take pics and keep up updated. I read a couple threads about the 8.8 and it definitely sounds like an interesting route to go with.

 

Oh I definitely will do a full write up if I go this route. As of now there's nothing wrong with my 10 bolt. It has disc brakes, LSD, and 3.42 gears so it's a pretty good rear end and I'm happy with it. If it starts to give me problems (which I foresee it doing), then it will be swapped. Not sure if I'm going to do a 4 link setup, mini ladder bar system, or just make an adapter for the torque arm.

I'm pretty sure the second D35 under my Jeep is starting to make a little noise around 50mph. I think right now I'm gonna sit back and see which one grenades first

 

if thats a pic of YOUR engine, then you do NOT have Vortec heads...... and are making nowhere near 375hp.... your rear sholduld hold up just fine...
also you just need to put the 10 bolt axle tubes in the 8.8 center section and re-use factory brakes...

 

That's a picture from last fall with the stock heads. Before I made about 300 at the crank. Right now the engine is out being built. 375 is a conservative number at the crank, from what I've seen with my combo I might actually be over the 400 mark.

Why would I want to use the small 10 bolt tubes and small disc brakes when I could use the Explorer brakes? Makes no sense to me. Don't see how that would work seeing as how the 8.8 tubes are almost a full inch larger in OD than the 10 bolt tubes.

 

The offset of the Explorer pinion could be a big problem if you stay with the torque arm suspension. If you eliminate the torque arm then it might not be bad, except that the drive shaft will probably miss the tunnel in the floor.

 

No idea where you heard that but whoever said it didn't know enough to actually be talking about it. Even Jeep owners love the 8.8 because it's so durable. I've never broken an 8.8 and i have had several.

 

-85 disc brake 10 bolt,156cm flange to flange.

 

I have a ford 4x4 Ive Had it for a long time Ive gone on trails like the Rubicon you wont see a real 4x4 or heap that has torque or horsepower running the 8.8 they run 12 bolts Dana 70/60 you should go to the ford dealer and ask them what rear end they work on the most its the 8.8
Now if your going to ride around on fire trails in your stock heap then a 8.8 will work really good for you

 

Among the Jeep crowed, a 31 spline 8.8 will handle 35's locked without a problem. Many run 37's on a stock 8.8. Obviously it's not a heavy duty axle, but not everyone wants to go to one tons under their rig for several reasons.

Ford mostly works on the 8.8 because they're so damn common, they came in everything RWD Ford including Mustangs, Crown Vics, Explorers, trucks, etc.

 

Don't listen to the haters, 8.8s have the right stuff. All the bearings supposedly interchange with the GM car 12-bolt, the ring gear is only 0.075" smaller, 33 spline axles and diffs are readily available, it's all good.