swapping rear axle guts instead of whole axle??

Hey, New here, but not to machinery or cars.

I have a '96 2dr, 2wd, 4cyl, 5spd, 4.10's BUT it's a 27 spline.
I found a 29 spline axle in a pull it but it's 3.07.

I thought if it was possible to just swap out the axles themsleves and the spider gears to the 29 spline and call it a day.

Has anyone tried this.?
It would be cheaper and easier for me at this moment.

Thanks E

IIRC, the openings on the sides of the 27-spline carrier are not large enough to run the 29-spline shafts.
If it was THAT easy, I am sure more people would do it.

Alot easier to just swap out housings

I KNOW.. I know. It's just a time thing, and then trying to balance a whole axle on a questionable wheel barrel isn't fun (is it wheel-barrow or wheeled-barrel?) Plus it seems like the car that I WANT parts from is ALWAYS in the furthest corner from the office and/or is parked too close to the next car etc..

Another thing, they just happen to be clearing out the chrysler/jeep area only 2 isles away. (they NEVER seem to crush the fords..) so by the time I get to go back it might be gone.
In addition, if you don't mind me ranting.. WHO THE HECK CAME OUT WITH 15MM and 18MM nuts and bolts? Nobody has those tools! (lousy Socialist bastards) That's another reason why I didn't get the whole axle. Only had a stubby 18mm wrench that fit.
I was kinda in the mindset that if I pulled all the parts from it, that they might give me a break on the shell if it (the guts swap) worked out (and if it's still there)
(price went up to 135.00 for solid axle with drums, and I think she said 150.00 with discs!!)

E

If that is the case, find an exploder with an 8.8? Will have discs and all. Some even have 4.10s!

It's just me but can't put anything ford on a vehicle that I own.
Never had good results except one 9n tractor when I was a wee whipper
I've been operating machinery since i was 7 and had all sorts of machinery and vehicles.

My 96 has 4.10's but it's a 27 spline.

I have a D44 from a J-10 truck with 3.54 gears in addition to a posi carrier and two other gear sets. I'd rather install discs on that.
But the J-10 diff is offset.. Don't think it would matter that much in a lowered street driven application though.

A 31 spline 4.10 limited slip 8.8 with discs is a fairly common axle and easily located using door codes. Its already the correct bolt pattern. It would be a great rear end to suit your needs, but if you're more comfortable using a cobbled together awkward rear end report back and share the results.

It is a lot easier to swap the housing. I have done it. Maybe you can remove some basic parts like the axle shafts to deter others from taking that housing while you line some help up to help you get it home.

You need the carrier, spider and side gears, and shafts.

And since you're going from one housing to another, you'll probably need to adjust pinion depth. And definitely carrier backlash. The carrier bearing caps should be marked before removal from the axle and put back the same way.

DansGreyMj said:

A 31 spline 4.10 limited slip 8.8 with discs is a fairly common axle and easily located using door codes. Its already the correct bolt pattern. It would be a great rear end to suit your needs, but if you're more comfortable using a cobbled together awkward rear end report back and share the results.

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this is the best advice. Take it.

You can't swap shafts into your housing, and any carrier swap will involve setting up the gears again, which will cost money for a rebuild kit, and then you'll want new gears, because setting up used gears sucks and they will be noisy.

So just get you a 4.10 8.8, and maybe some wheel spacers depending on your wheels and backspacing. 8.8 is slightly narrow.
Burn some $10 mopar perches on it and swap it.
done, and you won't have any downtime because you can refurbish the 8.8 while you drive your 8.25.

I know, it is a Ford part. But it is a damn good axle.