Heres the story of the 8.8 build i did on my tj last winter
started off with a 2000 explorer 8.8 with tow package so that means it came with 4:10 gears and a factory 31 spline posi(perfect match to my dana 30 that already had 4:10)
i installed this with the artec truss kit, and moser hybrid axle housing ends- these ends give you a ford 9in style houseing end (so a c clip eliminator but the right way) and the use of 2005-2010 ford mustang brakes with the emergency brake built into the calipers. the reason i chose to use the mustang brakes instead of the explorer ones are for the integrated emergency brake instead of having the drum style e brakes inside of the rotor that can get packed with mud from wheeling
and of course with this i had a set of custom made axles from moser
i also welded the axle tubes to the center section of the diff and unlike other 8.8 swaps i extended the axle on one side with a spacer i made on a lathe that way the pinion/driveshaft would remain in the center of the vehicle the same location as with the dana 35
also i worked the pinion angle into the brackets so im starting off with 16 degrees of pinion angle that way i dont need to adjust as much with the control arms and can keep the springs and trac bar in a happy place geometry wise
here are the pics!
started off with a 2000 explorer 8.8 with tow package so that means it came with 4:10 gears and a factory 31 spline posi(perfect match to my dana 30 that already had 4:10)
i installed this with the artec truss kit, and moser hybrid axle housing ends- these ends give you a ford 9in style houseing end (so a c clip eliminator but the right way) and the use of 2005-2010 ford mustang brakes with the emergency brake built into the calipers. the reason i chose to use the mustang brakes instead of the explorer ones are for the integrated emergency brake instead of having the drum style e brakes inside of the rotor that can get packed with mud from wheeling
and of course with this i had a set of custom made axles from moser
i also welded the axle tubes to the center section of the diff and unlike other 8.8 swaps i extended the axle on one side with a spacer i made on a lathe that way the pinion/driveshaft would remain in the center of the vehicle the same location as with the dana 35
also i worked the pinion angle into the brackets so im starting off with 16 degrees of pinion angle that way i dont need to adjust as much with the control arms and can keep the springs and trac bar in a happy place geometry wise
here are the pics!