Complete SLG Ford 8.8 Differential

Fully Rebuilt Ford 8.8 Explorer IRS Differential
 
Make your Ford 8.8 swap easy with a professionally rebuilt, ready-to-install differential built to your exact setup. If there is a ratio that you want that we dont have listed, please send us an email. 
 
We keep OEM Explorer 8.8 aluminum housings in stock and ready to build, allowing you to choose the gear ratio, limited-slip differential, bushings, and pinion spacer that best match your application.
Each housing is completely disassembled and inspected before being rebuilt with new Ford Performance gears, bearings, seals, and your selected LSD.
 
Every differential is professionally assembled and set for correct backlash, bearing preload, and gear contact pattern—giving you a complete, dialed-in solution without the risk or hassle of sourcing and rebuilding a salvage-yard differential yourself.
 
Build Includes
Complete disassembly and inspection
New ring-and-pinion gears
New bearings, races, seals, and crush sleeve
Professional gear setup and assembly
Choice of differential bushings
Free shipping within the continental USA
 
These differentials are rebuilt to order. Lead time may vary depending on the selected gear ratio, LSD option, and component availability. Lead time is usually 7-10 days. Because these differentials use original Ford housings, cosmetic marks, staining, or casting imperfections will always remain. Every housing is inspected for damage before rebuilding.
 
History of the Ford 8.8
Ford introduced the 8.8-inch differential in 1983 as a modern replacement for many applications that previously used the Ford 9-inch axle.
 
The independent rear-suspension version first appeared in the 1989 Ford Thunderbird. Ford later adapted the aluminum IRS differential for vehicles including the third-generation Explorer and second-generation Expedition. The Ford Mustang also received an 8.8 IRS differential in the 1999–2004 SVT Cobra.
 
Decades later, the Ford 8.8 remains one of the most widely supported and commonly swapped differentials in the performance industry.
 
Why We Use the Ford 8.8
The Ford 8.8 offers an excellent combination of strength, weight, availability, and aftermarket support.
 
The 2006–2010 Explorer-style differential uses a lightweight aluminum housing with two forward mounting points and integrated rear-cover mounting provisions. This makes it especially well suited for custom independent rear-suspension conversions.
 
Compared with many factory BMW M differentials, the aluminum Ford 8.8 is lighter while offering excellent power-handling capability.
 
Additional advantages include:
Wide selection of available gear ratios
Multiple limited-slip differential options
Strong aftermarket support
Readily available bearings, seals, gears, and service parts
Proven performance in street, drag, drift, and road-race applications
Easier long-term servicing than many specialty differentials
 
Bushing Options
Original Rubber Bushings - The original Ford rubber bushings remain installed. 
Standard Aluminum Bushings - Our standard aluminum bushings are installed to replicate the original Ford mounting height while providing a solid differential mounting point.
Slim Aluminum Bushings - Our slim aluminum bushings reduce the mounting height as much as possible for use with most of our chassis-specific Ford 8.8 conversion kits.
 
Pinion Spacer Options
Standard Crush Sleeve - OEM-style setup used to establish pinion-bearing preload. Reliable and cost-effective for most street and performance applications.
Solid Pinion Spacer - Uses a rigid spacer and shims instead of a crush sleeve, helping maintain more consistent pinion preload under heavy loads. Recommended for high-power, drag, drift, and competition use.
 
Limited-Slip Differential Options
Ford Performance Carbon-Clutch Trac-Lok - The Ford Performance carbon-clutch Trac-Lok is our standard limited-slip option and provides an exceptional balance of performance, durability, street manners, and value. Its clutch-type posi design delivers strong and predictable lockup while remaining quiet and smooth during normal street driving. It does not exhibit the excessive chatter or harsh low-speed behavior associated with some aggressive racing differentials. We have used this differential extensively in our own Ford 8.8-swapped race cars, including our time-attack BMW E46. It has proven itself on tracks across the country and has contributed to numerous podium finishes.
 
This is the LSD supplied in our standard Ford 8.8 conversion packages and is an excellent choice for:
High-performance street cars
Drag racing
Autocross
Track days
Time attack
Road racing
Most drift applications
 
OS Giken Super Lock LSD
The OS Giken Super Lock is the premium motorsport option.
Manufactured in Japan, the OS Giken uses a sophisticated multi-plate clutch design that provides smooth, progressive, and extremely consistent locking performance. Its large number of friction plates allows it to achieve strong lockup without requiring the harsh initial engagement found in many conventional clutch-type differentials.
 
The differential can be tuned through its plate arrangement, ramp characteristics, and preload to suit the vehicle and intended use.
 
The OS Giken is an excellent choice for:
Professional-level road racing
Time attack
Competitive drifting
High-power track cars
Drivers requiring a highly tunable differential
Applications where consistency under extreme heat and load is critical
 
This is the option for customers looking for maximum tuning flexibility and motorsport performance.
 
Wavetrac ATB Differential
The Wavetrac is a premium helical-gear Torsen, torque-biasing limited-slip differential designed to provide smooth and consistent operation without any of the downsides associated with traditional Torsens via its Wavetrac technology. 
 
The Wavetrac does not require routine clutch-pack servicing or friction-modifier. Its torque-biasing operation provides seamless power transfer during normal driving and progressively directs torque toward the tire with greater available traction.
 
Wavetrac’s internal design also helps maintain differential action when one wheel becomes lightly loaded or temporarily loses contact with the road, a big issue with traditional Torsen differentials. These get all the benefits of the Torsen, but act a lot like a clutch type. 
 
The Wavetrac is an excellent choice for:
Premium street builds
Canyon and back-road driving
Autocross
Track-day cars
Vehicles where quiet, smooth operation is a priority
Customers seeking a low-maintenance performance LSD
 
For a street-focused build that still sees aggressive driving and occasional track use, the Wavetrac is an outstanding option.