Think this 8.8 is worth the trouble?

I found an 8.8 from a 97 ranger.

Its drum brakes, and is just over 58" wide. Cherokees are 60" or 60.5" normally??? I'm not sure what the width on the explorer 8.8 is, but a wheel spacer should take care of the lack of width. Its also missing a drum.

My concerns are:
1. Wide enough to fit?
2. Same sort of 8.8 as the explorers? no hidden bad stuff?

They are asking $180 for it, and I am sure I could talk it down, its got 3.73's and there is a guy selling OEM 8.8 posi units on craigslist for $40. I am figuring I can do my 4.10's or 4.56's with a posi and this 8.8 until i buy another ECTED

Worth it?

IIRC, they are 28 spline ones as well. Might need wheel spacers.

hrmm, i thought 97 was the year for 31 splines...

if anyone can clarify that, that would also be great. I am okay with wheel spacers, so long as its wide enough to fit over the leaf springs and still get Ubolts on

WheelinJR said:

hrmm, i thought 97 was the year for 31 splines...

if anyone can clarify that, that would also be great. I am okay with wheel spacers, so long as its wide enough to fit over the leaf springs and still get Ubolts on

Click to expand...

Nope...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

theres a pic, so 28 spline it is...

strong enough for a light footed wheeler on 33's, maybe 35's someday? If I do a locker later, I assume I can buy 31 spline shafts and a 31 spline locker and be good to go too? Actually that will probably require disc conversion too...

Axle costs vary depending on geographic location and availability of junk yards.

Here in northern california, a disk brake'd 31 spline 8.8 isn't worth any more than $175.

If it were me, I'd pass on a ranger 8.8. Especially not if you think there is any chance your gonna run it locked with 35's.

-jm

I think I will keep looking for a disc 31spline 8.8 or a 9 inch.

Ive seen disc 8.8's around here $400ish, but I am sure I can beat that.