Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

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Apr 3, 2005 | 12:36 PM

MattM

Thread Starter

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 1

Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

I have an 8.8 axle from a ranger and would like to narrow it for installation on a '32 ford I'm building. It costs several hundred dollars, or.......

Can I pull the axle shaft out, get it shortened. Then line up the empty axle housing carefully in the band saw and cut out a 3" section of the housing out, near the end where it tapers, but not on the taper. Then place the housing end back on (with the bearings and seal still in place) then put the axle shaft back into the axle to hold everything in alignment. Then carefully clamp the pieces together so that the cut piece of the axle housing is flush all around with the housing and then tack it together and then weld it. A little bit at a time so that it doesn't overheat the bearings and seals that are 6" away from it.

Anybody have any reasons why or why I shouldn't do this?

thanks

Apr 3, 2005 | 03:16 PM

luckythirteen13

6th Gear Member

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 9,092

From: las vegas, nv

RE: Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

that sounds like it would be very weak.

Apr 3, 2005 | 05:06 PM

Pacman

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 251

From:

RE: Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

you might aswell use duct tape

Apr 4, 2005 | 02:45 AM

luckythirteen13

6th Gear Member

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 9,092

From: las vegas, nv

RE: Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

i believe the propper way is to cut the axle to length then have new teeth cut into the end. i may be wrong

Apr 4, 2005 | 03:04 AM

fats429

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 381

From: Philly. PA.

RE: Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

Quote:

ORIGINAL: MattM

I have an 8.8 axle from a ranger and would like to narrow it for installation on a '32 ford I'm building. It costs several hundred dollars, or.......

Can I pull the axle shaft out, get it shortened. Then line up the empty axle housing carefully in the band saw and cut out a 3" section of the housing out, near the end where it tapers, but not on the taper. Then place the housing end back on (with the bearings and seal still in place) then put the axle shaft back into the axle to hold everything in alignment. Then carefully clamp the pieces together so that the cut piece of the axle housing is flush all around with the housing and then tack it together and then weld it. A little bit at a time so that it doesn't overheat the bearings and seals that are 6" away from it.

Anybody have any reasons why or why I shouldn't do this?

thanks

HELL YEA YOU CAN

I like this way of thinking this is rat rodding and on a 32 hellyea . keep it dead centerd durring mock up work off a string line . I would cut it in the middle of the axlle tube to make the weld easyer .clamp 4 peices of angle iron to the tube to keep it straight durring the weld up the pipe joint should be back bevled as far as possable with at least 4 root beads get the unit mounted and be shure it is stright before you send the axles out to the mechean shop to get cut and splined . the axles are diffrent leanghts driver side and passnger side so keep that in order to

Apr 4, 2005 | 03:31 PM

ZachW04Stang

5th Gear Member

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 4,343

From: Westminster, MD

RE: Narrowing 8.8 rear axle

Sounds like it will work but like lucky said it will be week. I would get it professionally done. I think there is a place you cann buy narrowed dana rear ends, I can't recall their website though. I'll see if i can find it.