Rear Axle/Disc options

[Bonkers]

I was browsing through some of the old tech threads looking for additional information regarding the Ford 8.8 swap. In one of the threads someone mentioned a Zj (Grand Cherokee) full axle swap that was easier than the ford. I'm gather from the thread that finding a donor Zj D35 is the jeep equivilant of finding a hemi, but I thought I'd put the question out - what axles swap into the Mj and which require the least amount of modification?

[Pete M]

Anything that isn't from an MJ will require welding perches on. If you want to keep the Jeep front axle, than your options are quite limited. That's why the 8.8 is as cool as it is. Stronger than a 44, disks, 4.10s or 3.55s, almost a perfect width, available posi and Explorers are as common as anything in the junkyards. Even the older drum braked models are just as strong as the newer ones and have much better brakes than the Dana 35.

 

Here's some good reading on the subject:

 

http://www.geocities.com/yj3qtr_ton/88swap.html

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

http://www.jeepsonly.com/cgi-bin/links/jump.cgi?ID=2022

 

 

And there's nothing great about the Grand's Dana 35 except that it has disk brakes. It's just as weak as your Dana 35.

[pingpong]

The grands d44 has an aluminum center section, so it isn't the best if you are abusive of your rig, and it still requires mods to fit

[husky410ohio]

There is a good artical in 4 wheel off-road mag. this month about the 8.8 upgrade with Superior axles:

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/toc/thismonth/index.html

I looked on the Superior website but did not find it. It is new just coming.

http://www.superioraxle.com/htmlfolder/latestnews.html

The kit will eliminate c-clips and make the axle an inch wider. I think it has new stronger 1 piece axles drilled for both 5 on 4-1/2 and 5 on 5-1/5 patterns. I was thinking about this for my truck in the future for my chevy 350 engine I am putting in. If I had the cash I would go Dana 60 custom made like I did with my CJ from Summers brothers but made I could go with the 8.8 and upgrades in it.

http://hometown.aol.com/husky410ohio/my ... /auto.html

[Bonkers]

If I don't sell it, I think I'm going to build mine to be a water hog like my old one was. Snow, Sleet, Ice, Sand, Water will be about the extent of abuse she'll see. I'm looking into a stroker 4.0, ARB lockers front back, snorkle, take-off rad fan, and drivertrain pressurization kits. Drums are not the most reliable stopping devices in any of these conditions.

[87manche]

ditch the 35, especialy if you're going to stroke the motor.

It's just a pile.

get yourself an xj/mj d44 and do crownvic discs on it, or go 8.8

If you keep the 35 there's no reason to not keep yours, you can put discs on your current axle.

I would never waste the money required for an ARB on a D35, the only reason mine has a detroit is because it was given to me as part of another purchase.