[bigalow]

I am puting a ford 8.8 in my 54 truck out of a 97 explorer.
Not a posi obviously but the truck will have around 500bs of torque.
Not planning on drag racing with the open rear-end but are the 8.8's pretty tough???
i chose it because its 4 inches narrower than my stock rear end and i like old school deep dish wheels-Welds!!!!

[455olds]

I think they are pretty tough, almost as tough as a 9 inch. That is a LOT of torque though. Someone with more knowledge should chime in soon.

[bigalow]

They are pretty tough is good enough for me.
This truck build will be a daily driver something i can get in and drive easily 400 miles if need be and get some MPG. I just like a little torque down low since its a truck

[Valkyrie5.7]

31 splines open diff should hold up as long as you're not out hooning it or running slicks. C-clip eliminators aren't a bad idea though. The 8.8 is basically the same design as a GM 12 bolt, so the same basic ideas apply.

[Cranky Cripple]

Ford 8.8 rears are pretty tough but 500 is pushing it. Automatics live for a while sticks don't last long. You really need a 9 inch if you get a twitch in your foot. Saw an ' 88 bird with a 429 CJ with a C-6 live for a few years. C. C.

[timothale]

The mustang guys push a lot of power thru them ..I've seen the reinforcemnet girdle bar for them.

[bigalow]

tHANKS-LOOKS LIKE LOTS OF OPTIONS AND UPGRADE POTENTIAL

[matts37chev]

i have done a lot of reading about the 31 spline explorer 8.8 rears

i will be using one in my 37, behind a 496ci with about that same kind of tourqe as you are talking about

i think you will be just fine if you are not going to be running slicks and thrashing on it

i think the explorer 8.8 is about the best rearend that you can "easily find" and "just bolt into a car"
9" rears are getting just to hard to find or too expensive to build

[123pugsy]

You may want to get the upgaded cover.
The one in the link is for the IRS but they make them for all the 8.8's.

LPW

[aisr]

Quicky reply...

The girdle covers are very heavy and usually not necessary. The pinion shaft centerline is much higher in the 8.8 than that of the 9". I find the stock 8.8 caps without a girdle to be good for about 650/700hp to the ground.

The 9" pinion basically "pushes" it's ring gear nearer the bottom which results in more front/back thrust in the pinion bearings and has more force in the rearward direction that places more load on the diff's bearing caps.

The 8.8's pinion is much closer to the ring rear's centerline, resulting in it pushing the ring gear in more of a downward direction. Less front/back thrust on the pinion bearings, less force in the rearward direction on the diff bearings, and less load for the caps to contain.

[aisr]

IMO, unless you are trying to satisfy a rulebook, c-clip eliminators are a waste of money on an Explorer rear equipped with disc brakes, as the axle is retained in the housing by the rotor/caliper in the event of a broken axle.

Although it's probably been done, i've never seen a car break an explorer 31 spline axle.

[123pugsy]

A bit of hi-jack.
How about the IRS 8.8. Do you think that would need the strong cover?

[matt167]

the pumpkins are the same with the exception of some older IRS 8.8" being 28 spline...

Most people put the girdle covers on for looks. a factory aluminum IRS cover will fit a solid axle with slight modification