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MJ 8.8 swap


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Here's a rough estimate of what I put into mine:

 

Axle: $200

Spring Perches: $15

Shock Mounts: $20

U bolts: $40

Pinion flange adaptor: $25

Pinion flange bolts: $7

Driveshoft shortened: $50

Brakelines: $50

Rotors turned: $20

Brake Pads: $25

 

I probably forgot a couple of little things too. I was able to reuse the calipers and rotors that came with the axle and I made my own u-bolt plates. Otherwise those will add to the cost.

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if you want to match the width of your front end, you can run like 1 inch wheel spacers. It wounldnt be much of a problem on the longer wheelbase but on shorter jeeps like a wrangler we center up the diff and run a 2" spacer only on one side. (the 8.8 diff is slightly offcenter).

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I have done this swap :D and have been running it for almost a yr now.

 

Spring perches home made out of 2x3x1/4 tubing. Then drilled it for a center pin.

 

Shock mounts, I would go get some tubing, or make tabs. Save a lil money, but they are available for about 20 bucks.

 

I would definately buy aftermarket u-bolts, as the factory ones leave a lil to be desired, as well as the spring plates. Check Matt out at http://independent4x.com/ He sold me some nice beefy u-bolts and plates, as well as some degree shims.

 

Pinion flange is avaaible just abhout everywhere, but you want a spicer one, not a ford one. Ford ones are not as beefy.

 

The pinion flange bolts are a dealership item. They are a funky metris version of a grade 8, and they are 12 sided

 

I didnt have to shorten my D/S as it was all ready setup for a sye.

 

 

For brake lines I used 2 driver side lines, and made my own mounts. You could possibly re-use the passenger side hard line, but you will need to bend your own drivers side. This will also be a good time to get a new flex line. Matt, at Independent can get custom length DOT approved ones for a reasonable rate.

 

 

 

I used new rotors on mine, and they were 75 bucks for the pair. don't forget about the e-brake. Those shoes were expensive. I have a new set I can sell you. Never hooked up the e-brakes.

 

I all ready had the wheel spacers, but they can be had for 75 bucks last time I checked.

 

You will also need some hi-nickel rod to weld the pumpkin to the tubes. If you don't, you can spin the tubes.

 

When I did my swap I used these writeups as refrences.

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

Patrick

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on shorter jeeps like a wrangler we center up the diff and run a 2" spacer only on one side. (the 8.8 diff is slightly offcenter).

What do you mean 'we'? I've never heard of anybody doing such a thing. The slightly offset diff has never been an issue from what I've seen.

 

Clemson 4wheel Center.

 

the diff is offcenter toward the pass. side. On jeep tj's with large lift kits the rear driveshaft is so short that with the slightly off set rear end, the driveshaft is running at multiple angles and can cause ujoints to wear out sooner.

 

It was just a thought, but would not be a problem in your case since the comanche is a longer wheelbase vehicle.

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I would definately buy aftermarket u-bolts, as the factory ones leave a lil to be desired, as well as the spring plates. Check Matt out at http://independent4x.com/ He sold me some nice beefy u-bolts and plates, as well as some degree shims.

The stock u-bolts on an MJ are 14mm. That's not beefy enough for you? It's much larger than even XJs. The XJ u-bolts are 12mm (just a shade smaller than 1/2").

 

Maybe your truck didn't have the original u-bolts in it when you got it.

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Eagle the tubes on the 8.8 measure 3.25, thus requiring new u-bolts. I went with some 5/8 ones cause that is what he had in stock that fit. I suppose I could have went to the stealership and paid 12 bucks a piece for the stock ones, that flatten out at the bottom, but none of the jeep ones would fit.

 

 

I still have the original spring pads from when I first swapped out to xj pads :D I don't throw that crap away.. never know what you will be building next :twisted:

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