DirtyComanche Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Cool, a bobbed longbed. I want to do that with mine, but unfortunately I'd have to find a better box (one that a tree didn't fall on) to start with to do it, which just makes no sense at that point. It's going to take some time to stitch that cut they made back together, but certainly it's doable. Would I be correct in guessing the truck has a 5spd? If so, I would highly suspect that front axle has 3.07 gears. I don't think it would be too hard to get that thing safe, but it will cost a few bucks depending how bad things are. If you stick with that much lift you're going to want new aftermarket upper control arms (adjustable would be a good idea) or to go to a long arm kit of some sort, and the steering will suck unless you make some changes there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 On 1/30/2018 at 9:30 PM, FrankTheDog said: Stock 96-01 XJ 8.25’s can be had cheap or get a KJ rear axle or Explorer 8.8 with discs. KJ and Exploder axles can be had with 3.73 or 4.10 gears for better performance, then you would have to find a front or regear the one you have. The 3.55’s will work for now. Just a quick note on this.....early KJ's (2002) have drums in the rear, not discs. I know, I own one <<bleah>> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 54 minutes ago, mjeff87 said: Just a quick note on this.....early KJ's (2002) have drums in the rear, not discs. I know, I own one <<bleah>> Agreed. If you want to just replac the rear axle for one without welds go for an 8.8 or KJ disk 8.25. I'm swapping a disk 8.25 from an 05 KJ. The brake lines and cables are a perfect swap for the MJ. See this for more info: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 33 minutes ago, Sir Sam said: Agreed. If you want to just replac the rear axle for one without welds go for an 8.8 or KJ disk 8.25. I'm swapping a disk 8.25 from an 05 KJ. The brake lines and cables are a perfect swap for the MJ. How do you install either a KJ axle or an 8.8 axle in an MJ without welding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 33 minutes ago, Eagle said: How do you install either a KJ axle or an 8.8 axle in an MJ without welding? *without welded spider gears. I.E. installing a different rear end that hasn't been hacked up inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 8 hours ago, DirtyComanche said: Cool, a bobbed longbed. I want to do that with mine, but unfortunately I'd have to find a better box (one that a tree didn't fall on) to start with to do it, which just makes no sense at that point. It's going to take some time to stitch that cut they made back together, but certainly it's doable. Would I be correct in guessing the truck has a 5spd? If so, I would highly suspect that front axle has 3.07 gears. I don't think it would be too hard to get that thing safe, but it will cost a few bucks depending how bad things are. If you stick with that much lift you're going to want new aftermarket upper control arms (adjustable would be a good idea) or to go to a long arm kit of some sort, and the steering will suck unless you make some changes there too. car used to be auto. pretty sure it is 3.54 up front after talking with previous owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Eagle said: How do you install either a KJ axle or an 8.8 axle in an MJ without welding? yea I was going to say. but as far as options of not modifying an axle am I already past that point? There is someone local selling a complete 3.54 d35 out of a comanche for 100 bucks. Could I swap that on and still retain the SOA setup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 7 minutes ago, motiusclyde said: yea I was going to say. but as far as options of not modifying an axle am I already past that point? There is someone local selling a complete 3.54 d35 out of a comanche for 100 bucks. Could I swap that on and still retain the SOA setup? You could install a Comanche Dana 35, but you would have to relocate the spring perches. Or you could install a Cherokee Dana 35 -- and you would still have to relocate the spring perches. But a Dana 35 is not a good axle. The only reason for using one would be if it's for an MJ, you want to revert to the original SUA setup ... and someone gives you the axle. Bottom line: if you want to stay with spring-over-axle, there is no axle you can use that won't require welding spring perches in the correct location. For the $100 that D35 would cost you, you could probably find an un-welded 8.25 differential and just install that in the axle you have. Just be sure to measure the diameter of your axle shafts, to see if you have an early or late 8.25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 8 minutes ago, Eagle said: You could install a Comanche Dana 35, but you would have to relocate the spring perches. Or you could install a Cherokee Dana 35 -- and you would still have to relocate the spring perches. But a Dana 35 is not a good axle. The only reason for using one would be if it's for an MJ, you want to revert to the original SUA setup ... and someone gives you the axle. Bottom line: if you want to stay with spring-over-axle, there is no axle you can use that won't require welding spring perches in the correct location. For the $100 that D35 would cost you, you could probably find an un-welded 8.25 differential and just install that in the axle you have. Just be sure to measure the diameter of your axle shafts, to see if you have an early or late 8.25. alright good to know. going to pop off the diff cover today and see whats going on in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 yup she's welded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Looks really nice... Is there damage on the ring gear teeth, or is that just that disgusting contaminated gear oil on them? I wouldn't bother doing anything with that axle beyond selling it or throwing it in the metal recycling bin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Scrap that pos. Grab a KJ 8.25, and swap it in like I did, or go with the ford 8.8 with disks. The 8.8 is a little narrower and will need spacers, and the park brake cables will be an issue on it. The 8.8 is a little stronger but the KJ 8.25 is a little better fit for the MJ. Both will require welding new perches on the axle. Here is the first part part of my video showing the axle swap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 teeth look good its just filled with grey sludge. also found a part number on the rear springs, came back as a comanche specific rusty's 4" leaf pack. but it looks like 2 of the leafs are missing from them. so I reckon whover slapped this SOA setup together pulled some of the leaves out to even the lift. ugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertRat1991 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 What did you trade for the Comanche? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 1 minute ago, DesertRat1991 said: What did you trade for the Comanche? subaru forester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 6 hours ago, Sir Sam said: Scrap that pos. Grab a KJ 8.25, and swap it in like I did, or go with the ford 8.8 with disks. The 8.8 is a little narrower and will need spacers, and the park brake cables will be an issue on it. The 8.8 is a little stronger but the KJ 8.25 is a little better fit for the MJ. Both will require welding new perches on the axle. The 8.8 also requires an adapter for the rear u-joint on the drive shaft. The KJ axle is a much easier, more straightforward swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 5 hours ago, motiusclyde said: subaru forester On the upside, even if this MJ is a total disaster you still came out ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 minute ago, Eagle said: The 8.8 also requires an adapter for the rear u-joint on the drive shaft. The KJ axle is a much easier, more straightforward swap. Typically when you go to purchase one you make sure you get the companion flange (and the bolts) at the same time. I made that mistake the first time around. While I have never done a KJ 8.25 swap, the Furd 8.8 swap is quite simple and straightforward. But really, any sort of a swap (except a D35) with the perches actually welded on in the correct place would probably work fine for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 On 1/30/2018 at 5:12 PM, motiusclyde said: Like I said I am a subaru guy, most of which have been low and fast :lo Unlike a Subaru Forester... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 hour ago, HOrnbrod said: Unlike a Subaru Forester... currently swapping a full WRX drivetrain into a 98 forester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 hour ago, DirtyComanche said: On the upside, even if this MJ is a total disaster you still came out ahead. yea haha this comanche was essentially free ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 8 minutes ago, motiusclyde said: currently swapping a full WRX drivetrain into a 98 forester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 hour ago, DirtyComanche said: Typically when you go to purchase one you make sure you get the companion flange (and the bolts) at the same time. I made that mistake the first time around. While I have never done a KJ 8.25 swap, the Furd 8.8 swap is quite simple and straightforward. But really, any sort of a swap (except a D35) with the perches actually welded on in the correct place would probably work fine for him. IIRC even if you get the flange for the 8.8 you still need a 1310 conversion ujoint to adapter to your XJ driveshaft. The KJ 8.25 also needs the flange from the driveshaft, but at least its a 1310 flange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Sir Sam said: IIRC even if you get the flange for the 8.8 you still need a 1310 conversion ujoint to adapter to your XJ driveshaft. Explorer companion flange is 1310. F150 is 1350. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motiusclyde Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 2 hours ago, Sir Sam said: IIRC even if you get the flange for the 8.8 you still need a 1310 conversion ujoint to adapter to your XJ driveshaft. The KJ 8.25 also needs the flange from the driveshaft, but at least its a 1310 flange. no idea what flange or driveshaft I have 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