Narrowed rear end info...

[shortbed70]

Ok I’m swapping to an 8.8 rear from a 98 explorer and running moser axles with 31 splines. I’m taking 2-15/16” off the long tube and running equal length axles and will center the pumpkin. My question is how wide of a wheel are y’all getting with factory trailing arms and frames? I’m thinking about a 11-12” wheel but unsure if they will fit with trailin arms. Only going with a 17” wheel as of now.

[Captainfab]

I do know that a 12" wheel will fit, but I believe you can go up to a 14" wide wheel. Of course the tire width needs to be considered as well.

[vin63]

Here is an old pic of my rear with 16x12 wheels and 31x16.5 tires. A 14" wide wheel would not be a problem with attention to backspacing.

[shortbed70]

Originally Posted by vin63

Here is an old pic of my rear with 16x12 wheels and 31x16.5 tires. A 14" wide wheel would not be a problem with attention to backspacing.

Oh I really like the idea of that..... I need to find some wheels I guess that I can mock up to because the ones I will be running will have to be made to fit.

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by vin63

Here is an old pic of my rear with 16x12 wheels and 31x16.5 tires. A 14" wide wheel would not be a problem with attention to backspacing.

How much did you narrow the rear?

[BR3W CITY]

I fit a 15x12 on a stock width 12 bolt without an issue. I did decide to go down to an 11" wide wheel on my next set of wheels after changing my setup around.

[vin63]

I set up the housing to be 51" wide from housing end to housing end.

Originally Posted by raidmagic

How much did you narrow the rear?

[raidmagic]

Originally Posted by vin63

I set up the housing to be 51" wide from housing end to housing end.

Thanks.

[shortbed70]

Ok so after doing some figuring the 8.8 will be around 56” flange to flange as opposed 60-61 on my stock 12 bolt. So I know 5.5” backspacing on a 15x10 will fit a 295/50/15 but will rub a touch. So I think we’re going to put 9” big bearing ends on my 8.8 and probably bolt in axles of equal length. Wish I could get my truck in the garage and get the old rearend pulled out and on the ground to start fitting the new. I think I’m going to do a 8.8 build later once the pictures are taken and done. I need to find some wheels to work with maybe just have a set of steel rally’s built for now!

[Captainfab]

The correct way to go about this is to purchase your wheels and tires first. Then with them at your desired outside width to fit inside the bedsides, measure the WMS to WMS width of the wheels. Then build your differential to that dimension.