Outside of the bolt pattern, did anything else get changed within the 8.8 rear axle in the 96-97 changeover? Are the brakes the same between the older and new axles?

 

I think the brake mounting flanges are different; the wheel bearings; the spring perches; the shock mounts; the overall width... But otherwise, they're identical.

This shows the older flange.

 

How much different is the width?

I've been tossing around the idea of using a 78/79 D44 Ford front to do an SAS on my truck in the future, and I'm not sure of whether I want to use a 5.5/5 verrsion with an 8.8 or 9 rear, or an 8 lug front with a 14 bolt rear (yeah, I know... but it's a damn strong, inexpensive junkyard axle)

 

IDK the width of either - I recently sold my spare '96 8.8", but I know it was a LOT narrower than the 9.75" still hanging outside.



You DON'T want to use a 9", for several reasons (one of which I don't want to get into again! ), but mainly because it has no VSS/ABS sensor. If you want strength, look at the 9.75" or the 10.25".

I've never heard of a $A$ on your style of F150, but I guess it's been done. Have you looked into what it gonna co$t?

 

I'll be doing the SAS myself. It looks relatively straight forward. The frame is shaped fairly nicely for that kind of project (I've done up a couple S-10's before and they were a pain to get everything to fit without being 20 feet tall). If I ever get around to doing a solid axle swap on it, it'll be coils and radius arms. Pretty easy to set up. The panhard is the only thing that will be tough to package. As far as cost on the suspension itself, it shouldn't be too much:
- Coils out of a TTB F150/Bronco - $25 at the JY
- DOM tube for links and steel plate for brackets - $100
- Johnny joints and poly bushings - $200

The rest of the cost will be getting my housing cleaned and painted up, replacing the bearings and seals and doing the brakes.

The sensors seem like the only issue with the 9" as it's an incredibly tough axle (I've had nothing but good luck and heard of other people having good luck with them). I don't care to go with a big Sterling rear, because they're expensive and are limited as far as locker/gear options, which is what is enticing about the 14 bolt full float (mainly the price. I got the 14 bolt in my current project for free), plus they're stronger than a D60 full-float stock.

The VSS is on the axle in a Ford, you say? That kind've makes things interesting. Is the VSS the same between the '96 and '97?

 

Yes. Click my signature link & look in the 8.8" Axle album, then look under your truck.

 

Fark. Maybe I'll swap in a 4bt diesel to get rid of the VSS problem if I go to a new rear axle. Been turning that one over in my head for a while too (not really that seriously, though) :P