Ford 8.8

[90Xjay]

Have any of you seen or heard of the kit that someone has put out to put a Ford 8.8 under a XJ or Wrangler for that matter.
Just heard about the kit. I have known about the good swap on axles for a few years and known a few that done it. But getting the spring perches and shock mounts on right always worried me.
It would be nice to have rear discs brakes and a rear end worth locking up.

 

[OutOfStep]

OK4WD makes swappable 8.8 w/ 4.10, limited slip, and disc brakes for about $1500; though the way to do it now is to get a junkyard gem and put in the superior gears super 8.8, you get extra heavy shafts, it elimiates the C-clip, you get a locker, and it widens the shaft out to the stock Jeep axle width

 

[90Xjay]

, and it widens the shaft out to the stock Jeep axle width

How are people doing that now, with back spaced wheels?

How much difference are we talking about between the two?

 

[OutOfStep]

its like 5/8 of an inch per side, most people are doing it with wheel spacers because they are cheaper than custom backspaced wheels

 

[currupt4130]

It aint worth buying spacers for, and its 3/8 of an inch per side, I ran one.

 

[Sparky-Watts]

It aint worth buying spacers for, and its 3/8 of an inch per side, I ran one.

Can't see that 3/8 of an inch is gonna matter much, is it?

 

[currupt4130]

Nope, like I said. Putting that thing in the back of a leaf sprung vehicle is very easy. You need perches and shock mounts. You set the axle under the vehicle with the perches on it, take measurements from flange to perch on each side to center it, set your pinion angle, and weld the perches. Then you decide where you want your shocks. Do you want them hanging down like stock or up and out of the way? weld those on using an old shock for alignment and then order up new ones. The worst part is getting an e brake. It's hardly worth dropping 1500 for someone to do that little bit of work for you. You already have to pull the old one to put the new one in, so why not just spend an extra half day taking measurements and running a few 4 inch long beads

 

[90Xjay]

The kit that I was refering to was really supposed to be the parts to hook up the emergency brake, new shock mounts and all of the instructions with the measurments all done. The kit us supposed to be under $100 and you're supposed to be able to take it and a donor axle and in less than a day be up and running.

I've got every tool and can fab up what I need. I'm just a little nervous about setting up the geometry so the thing will drive right.

 

[OutOfStep]

I checked again, the 8.8 is 1.25" narrower than the D35 (at least an 8.8 from a 95 or newer ford)- 5/8 inch per side

Though even then it may not matter, just depends on the tire/rim your going with.

Here's a link to Stu's website, he's got a great write-up on the process (as well as most other things worth doing to a Jeep).

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/8.8axle/8.8axle-1.htm

 

[90Xjay]

man thanks for that link. 8)

The TJ and XJ's measurments will be differnet though won't they?

 

[OutOfStep]

Should be quite different, the link was more for the in depth look at the process than the details. You would just go off the measurements on your stock assembly, assuming you don't want to relocate your shock mounts or rotate the assembly up. NAXJA probably has the measurements in their archives somewhere

 

[90Xjay]

Should be quite different, the link was more for the in depth look at the process than the details. You would just go off the measurements on your stock assembly, assuming you don't want to relocate your shock mounts or rotate the assembly up. NAXJA probably has the measurements in their archives somewhere

true dat.
in the mean time, I'm gonna check with some more folks about that swap out kit that someone makes

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I put an 8.8 in my MJ, used ubolt eliminators from TNTcustoms, nice kit that comes with spring perches and shock mounts.

Ebrake cables was easy, used the stock MJ cables and looped 'em around the 8.8 ebrake lever, securing with a cable clamp.

 

[90Xjay]

thats great Bounty, Thanks for that TNT Customs info

I think when I get settled down sometime in late October, I'll start looking for a donor axle. I think I can get one for $150 from a local place if I pull it myself.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Got my 8.8, good shape with 4.10 and discs, for $100. Going back for a few more. Good deals are out there if you do the leg work.

 

[Snitty]

Wow.. If I could find a few 8.8s for 100 bucks, I'm buyin up as many as possible

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

This yard has a pile of 'em.

 

[90Xjay]

I was phone quoted $150 if I pull it myself at my local yard.

Is mileage on the odometer really important when picking one?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

No, but you will want to pull the cover and inspect the gears.