question on axles and gears......again

[Lenard]

ok i got a Dana 35 with 3.55 gears that's about to blow up on me, if possible i wanna put in a D44, but if not the Ford 8.8 are plentiful around the JY here in Kansas City. but when i do get a new rear-end i want to go to 4.10 gearing, so my questions are,

1. What are the chance's of finding a 8.8 with 4.10?

2. Would it be cheaper to get the rear-end, and then re-gear my front axle?

3. Or get both axles and re-do all the steering/whatever up front?

4. Would it be smarter/stronger/better to get the front ford axle under my mj?

5. Other than the spring perches, what other modification would i have to do to fit a 8.8 under my truck?

 

Sorry guys, i'm sure these question have been answered before, but my skills on using the search on here suck.

[mvusse]

If you get an 8.8 with disc brakes, you need a way to get more brake pressure to the rear wheels, either by fiddling with the load sensing valve, or getting a proportioning valve off a vehicle with rear discs (like the same Exploder).

 

The 8.8 is a bit narrower than the D35, so you might want to get some wheel spacers, or run rims with more backspacing on the rear wheels.

[sdsoon]

Alot of 8.8s had 4.10 gears. Find a 4 cylinder MJ or XJ and grab the front end, most had 4.10s, nice and easy. A Exploder with a 8.8 will have a IFS type front end.

[Lenard]

If you get an 8.8 with disc brakes, you need a way to get more brake pressure to the rear wheels, either by fiddling with the load sensing valve, or getting a proportioning valve off a vehicle with rear discs (like the same Exploder).

 

The 8.8 is a bit narrower than the D35, so you might want to get some wheel spacers, or run rims with more backspacing on the rear wheels.

if i don't get the disc brake axle, what size are the drum's on the 8.8?

 

 

the wheels i have are off of a Wrangler, i have no idea what year, does anybody know if these type of rims have enough backspacing?

 

 

A Exploder with a 8.8 will have a IFS type front end.

:ack:

[CWLONGSHOT]

ok i got a Dana 35 with 3.55 gears that's about to blow up on me, if possible i wanna put in a D44, but if not the Ford 8.8 are plentiful around the JY here in Kansas City. but when i do get a new rear-end i want to go to 4.10 gearing, so my questions are,

1. What are the chance's of finding a 8.8 with 4.10?

2. Would it be cheaper to get the rear-end, and then re-gear my front axle?

3. Or get both axles and re-do all the steering/whatever up front?

4. Would it be smarter/stronger/better to get the front ford axle under my mj?

5. Other than the spring perches, what other modification would i have to do to fit a 8.8 under my truck?

 

Sorry guys, i'm sure these question have been answered before, but my skills on using the search on here suck.

 

1) as already written. 8.8's with 4:10 are common, but look for that axle from an exploder. it will get you discs and 31spl axles. if you get one form a ranger or pass car, it will have the less desirable 28spl axles and drum brakes.

 

2) Get the 8.8 and look for a XJ/MJ with 4:10's and swap it in. (As sdsoon already mentioned) MUCH cheaper then a re-gear.

 

3) Steering is not an issue with the axle swap. if it works not the axle swap will not effect it in the least.

 

4) Only if your intending on running bigger then 35" tires i the rocks OR dropping in a V8 and mudding it.

 

5) As mentioned, the 8.8 is narrower and its pumpkin is offset a bit. NOT an issue esp with the long MJ drive shaft. BUT some have installed it off center. Then running a spacer on one side to "re-center" the axle. Personally I wouldn't do this. I would just center the axle and buy a set of 4" BS rims and forget all the issues.

 

CW

[CWLONGSHOT]

If you get an 8.8 with disc brakes, you need a way to get more brake pressure to the rear wheels, either by fiddling with the load sensing valve, or getting a proportioning valve off a vehicle with rear discs (like the same Exploder).

 

I agree, The brake MC and booster is marginal for the factory brakes. If you get the disc rears, It would be a good idea to upgrade to the newer XJ Booster/Master cylinder or better yet, the WJ set-up. (Complete with prop valves) Then completely omit the troublesome rear prop valve entirely.

I know its not an accurate comparison, but I have the 8.8 in my TJ and no changes have been made the the fact braking system. Everything works better then stock.

 

CW

[Lenard]

what about the 8.25? would i need to get rims with BS on that axle?

[Pete M]

personally I'd get a pair of 1.75" spacers for the Exp 8.8. It'll fix the rear without causing problems up front (rubbing on the flares). Plus, it'll help balance the MJ out visually. the Bed of an MJ is wider than the front fenders (which is why the rear tires always look tucked in). So if you add 3.5" of extra spacing to an axle 1.5" narrower than a Dana 35, it'll push the tires out just a bit further than they are now and finally make the truck look more "normal". :D

[pingpong]

ON the brakes sides of things, I would swap in a Xj prop valve as well as you a zj spinr in the front of prop valve. I did this when I swapped disc brakes on MY d44.

 

On the left you will see a zj prop spring with disc brakes. ON the right is the xj drum brakes