Just curious, has anyone use a 8.8 rear in a Dakota? They are popular with the jeep crowd. Some of the explorier's have a 31 spline axle, disc brakes, and 3.54 to 4.10 gears. In addition, they have the same bolt pattern as the early Dakota trucks.
Not saying Im doing it, just want some opinions.

 

Not in a dakota, but I have the whole setup to put a mustang 8.8 in my 87 cutlass. I don't see a reason not to run the 8.8 in a dakota, as long as its close to the right width.

 

You can also buy or rebuild a LSD for a 8.8 with carbon fiber clutches, the gear ratios go from 2.73 to 5.something, and parts are almost literally dirt cheap for them.

And there's a crush sleeve replacement (don't need to keep replacing it, you can reuse the replacement sleeve) for the 8.8 .

That MAY be a way to get disc brakes on the back of my 1988 - but only if I can find a rear axle that is 5x4.5 (since it's a 1988).

RwP

 

I have one out of a 2001 explorer. Its a 3.54 gear disc brakes etc. But it is 2.5 in narrow compared to the 87 Dakota rear. So I would have to use spacers.
I got it for a real good deal and had planned to use it in another project, but that didn't happen.
If I could get a u-joint to match up, sometime I may try it. It would only cost me 1 brake hose, 3.25 spring perch set. , shock mounts, and spacers.