MWinland Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I want to replace the D35 under my 89 MJ with somthing stronger. I've looked around for an XJ or MJ Dana 44...but people want a mint for them. So...I'm probably going to go with a 29 spline 8.25 or a ford 8.8. The 8.25 is easier, but the 8.8 is stronger. I'm probably going to run 33"s. Does anyone have any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I'm swapping to an 8.25 out of a 98 XJ. I just need to find out more about the leaf perches width and location differences between an XJ and MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88swampedmj Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 well for 33s a 8.25 should be fine and ive swapped xj axles onto my mj.. the xj is spring over and a little bit narrower than a manches ...youd have to get new perches and move them out about 2" or so.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Either axle is a good choice. Although most all of the 8.25s you'll see will be 3.55 and al are drums. 4.10s and 3.73s are common in the Explorers and 95+ will have disks. If you go 8.8, be sure to get the calipers with the axle. The core charge on them is $30-40 per side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I'm swapping to an 8.25 out of a 98 XJ. I just need to find out more about the leaf perches width and location differences between an XJ and MJ. An XJ is 43.5" centre-centre, give or take a bit (they're metric.) And they are SOA. A MJ is 42" centre-centre and SUA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 didnt the dakota's come with disc brake's all the way around. :hmm: I'm suspecting that they did but could be wrong also. And at lease there are a bunch out there to choose from Between chrysler & ford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Is there any 8.25's out there with discs on them to upgrade in the future? I'd like to go with discs, but drums will do the job for a while... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroader461 Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 no dakota have always been drum brakes except the R/T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Is there any 8.25's out there with discs on them to upgrade in the future?I'd like to go with discs, but drums will do the job for a while... AFAIK, yes, but all are the 5x5 bolt pattern. A guy could try using crown vic brake parts. They're easy to get and seem to bolt up to random things most of the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 8.8 swap is not difficult, you just need the mopar spring perches and the spicer flange adapter for the pinion. brakes are awesome, I can lock up all 4 when I please. 8.8 get's my vote, simply because of the disc brakes. some 1" wheel spacers takes care of the width issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 no dakota have always been drum brakes except the R/T :cheers: in 03 this option was available for all models not just the R/T model here is the link http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2003-dodge-dakota.htm just for future references. just wondering now if any one has done this swap :dunno:. a good play by play :wrench: would cool and keeping it in the family :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Yeah, I've got some big ol' drums on the back of my '00 Dak R/T. Plus there's that funky 6 on 4.5" bolt pattern to deal with. :nuts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Is there any 8.25's out there with discs on them to upgrade in the future?I'd like to go with discs, but drums will do the job for a while... AFAIK, yes, but all are the 5x5 bolt pattern. A guy could try using crown vic brake parts. They're easy to get and seem to bolt up to random things most of the time... I have a ton of crown vic's to my avail. I think my buddy has some parts laying around too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Good catch Pete i forgot about the bolt pattern on them things :oops: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 didnt the dakota's come with disc brake's all the way around. :hmm: I'm suspecting that they did but could be wrong also. And at lease there are a bunch out there to choose from Between chrysler & ford. Dakotas don't use a 5 on 4-1/2" lug bolt battern, though. Not a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 didnt the dakota's come with disc brake's all the way around. :hmm: I'm suspecting that they did but could be wrong also. And at lease there are a bunch out there to choose from Between chrysler & ford. Dakotas don't use a 5 on 4-1/2" lug bolt battern, though. Not a good choice. Well, wouldn't you still use the stock shafts if at all possible?Also, I am willing to bet that you could do the caliper bracket, and caliper, and then do so research and find rotors that would be the correct fitment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Orrrr you could just go buy an Explorer rear axle and have disks and strength and the right bolt pattern and without any hunting around for matching parts. :dunno: :teehee: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Pete, your little laugh there is pretty ghey... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Would you feel safer in your sexuality if it wasn't pink in color? :roll: I didn't make the dang thing. Get someone to change the color and I'll upload it, just for you. :teehee: :cheers: But back to the topic at hand, the Exploder axles are all over the place. Just go find one. Or email me and I'll sell you one and ship it to your door. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockhardzj Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Would you feel safer in your sexuality if it wasn't pink in color? :roll: I didn't make the dang thing. Get someone to change the color and I'll upload it, just for you. :teehee: :cheers: But back to the topic at hand, the Exploder axles are all over the place. Just go find one. Or email me and I'll sell you one and ship it to your door. :thumbsup: It ain't the pink thing, its the ghey hand thing. No guy covers his mouth when he laughs, not that I know of at least, but I'm not from Michigan. Oh, and I got lot's of sploder's at the JY. Just get the keys for the front end loader, toss the forks under it, lift it, cut mounts, and toss on the trailer, put sploder back on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhorocks Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 8.8s are a dime a dozen down here. I can get one from the local pick a part for 75 dollars. that is a steal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
possum Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Old Chrysler 8.75- Correct width, correct bolt pattern, and can carry up to a 502 gear ratio. I like mine. Oh yeah a drop out third member also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 Old Chrysler 8.75- Correct width, correct bolt pattern, and can carry up to a 502 gear ratio. I like mine. Oh yeah a drop out third member also. good luck finding one of those. the muscle car guys have stripped them all in my area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhorocks Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 what do you pull those from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 what do you pull those from? mid 60's to early 70's mopar stuff is the most likely thing to have them a bodies b bodies d bodies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now