28 vs 31 splines

[dadunc205x]

I am in the process up setting up my 9" and was wondering if it is worth it to upgrade my 28 spline axles to 31 spline. what would i need to do this besides a spool(was going to get a 28 spline full spool anyways)? Cost is a major factor right now, i just want to get the project rolling. the axle is going into a ranger with a 2.9 with 5.43 gears and 35's. It seems like the 28 spline axles would be more than enough, but i would hate to have the rear end be a weak point. also, its not going to to any street driving, just desert.

should i just keep it with 28 splines and a spool, and just upgrade to some 31, or 35 splines once i get everything else worked out?

[WannaB-class5]

We just went to a 31 spline but we got it cheap...our 28 spline NEVER gave us problems. We ran it in a 3.0 Ranger. The housing strength and the width were all we were looking for. You should have no problems. We had similar gears and a full spool also!

[curt]

We've also been runing 28 spline in our Toyota first a Toy 8" now a Ford 9" with about 200hp and never had an axle problem that the spline count/axle size was responsible for. If you decide to upgrade, skip the 31 and go straight to 35 spline. It costs about the same and you will be done with it through 400+ hp. If you haven't bough tthe spool then consider the upgrade now since the spool charge should be about the same either way just add the costs of axles...Curt

[matt_helton]

my 4 cyl yota twisted 28 spline axles, right before the mini spool exploded. build the rear end once, not twice like i did. :(

[singlehanded]

I would go 35 just to be safe. I got a 35 spline floater, remember that offroad use only is hard on axles exspecially when landing from the air without a floater. Plus the cost between building a 31 vs a 35 is about the same. I would just go with a currie thru summit to save some cash.

[ntsqd]

I won't wade into the relative merits of 31 vs. 35 vs. 40 splines, but DO NOT spend money on a 28 spline. Cheap it together if you need it to limp while you're saving for the upgrades, but don't put any real money in it.

[Marshall]

We pulled off the trailer and went 200 feet and broke the 28 with a spool. A spool is hard on axles. Zero give. If its spooled I wouldn't do it with 28. Then again thats just my experiance. If its an open diff or LS you should be ok ( driving within reason, off the gas on landings)

[hoeker]

DO NOT spend money on a 28 spline. Cheap it together if you need it to limp while you're saving for the upgrades, but don't put any real money in it.

amen. if you can't afford to upgrade the axles just weld the open diff and save the money you would have spent on the spool as well.

[dadunc205x]

ok, it looks like i'll just keep it stock for now, and then most likely go with some 35 spline axles and spool once everything else is up and running. im not sure if i have on open diff or limited slip though. can anyone tell me how to distinguish between the two visually? the tag reads WEV AK 8MC 2 75 9 732A. all i can tell is it has a 9" ring gear with 2.75's. and i cant seem to find the rest of the code.

[WannaB-class5]

FYI, ebay is a 9" friend. We got a complete third with 5.13 spooled for $189 with two flanges and a case. Also bought a spool for about $70 and hears for like $100. I know you are a bit far but if you make it to the inland empire (Pomona...) A great friend sets up ford gears for $100 with new bearings at a ford dealership.

[dadunc205x]

here is a shot of it