Mustang2s are a good place to look for a 'posi' 8" chunk. Don't use the whole rear, just drop out your chunk and drop the other in. A Stang2 rear will bolt in, but it is 4 lug, and not even the same 4 lug as a 4 lug Maverick. So it is a step backward to use the entire rear. Less work to just swap the chunk as well.
Oh well, didn't hurt to ask. It would have been nice to be able to snag some out of a junkyard for cheap.
I don't know that the factory 8.8 axles are compatible to use with 8" style bearings. This isn't a problem with aftermarket axles. If the factory axles would work with 8" bearings and were the correct length, then yes, you could convert an 8" to 31 spline.
The 8.8 style axles will not fit the 8" axles at all. Aftermarket stock or whatever, the 8.8 are c-clip axles and that have that nub in the middle to put the c-clip over, also the 8" axle is flanged for press on bearings to hold the axles into the housing.
Then how did I adapt my 8.8 to the style used in 8 & 9" rearends ? No C clips retaining my axles in the 8.8 in my Ranger. And it has the smaller 8.8 (Mustang) sized bearing housings too.
you put the 8"/9" axles into your 8.8 by puting the 8"/9" housing ends on to your 8.8. the question that was asked is if you could put 8.8 axles into a 8". that is not possible due to the 8.8 axles needing c-clips to retain them into the housing. the 8" can not use c-clips.
