azjeepfreak Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Looking at upgrading my rear end (on my truck ;) ). Been keeping an eye out for an iron 44, but have seen a bunch of Jeep guys going to the Ford 8.8. Any one know the reason for this? is it stronger, easier to get? How do the compare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rokhound Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 this has been beat to death and you will find some say 8.8 is stronger than the 44 but then it has c-clip but you can get stock 4.10 gear and disk brakes. Then you get the ones that say the 44 you have to add the disc brake and the gearing and plus the price of these are kinda high if you ask me. This is just my thoughts. I mean you can get an 8.8 out of any Explore and be ahead of the D35 just stay away from the ranger it will have 27 splin and the Explore has 31 spline. I am running a welded 8.8 with disc and I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 To me there are a few advantages to the 8.8. One is the strength of the overall package, and the fact that they are everywhere. Also the fac t that they can be had with LSD and 4.10 form the factory. Plus they have discs. The down side is it is a c-clip axle... this can be fixed though... or left as it is. Also the width is an issue.. can be fixed by using spacers. The pumpkin needs to be welded to the tubes as well. The diff cover is thin and weak as well. The d44 is a great axle with awesome aftermarket support. The down sides are.. the price..lack of factory disc brakes. All this being said.. I ran an 8.8 in Pong on 35's and truly abused this axle.. axle is still in use under a Yj on 37's. I am geting ready to put a D44 in the Turd.. SO I will let you know how that turns out shortly :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azjeepfreak Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 Hmmm... so what about gearing? I want to be able to cruise @ 65-75MPH comfortably since it's my DD, but I want to turn 33's offroad without blowing my gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroader461 Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 i run 32 on 4.10's about 80mph on the freeway...I'm upgrading to 33's so my rpm will be a bit lower at that speed...i knew i was going to 33's thats why i decided on 4.10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 They make a 8.8 C-clip eliminater that also makes the axle wider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 They make a 8.8 C-clip eliminater that also makes the axle wider. And adds chromo shafts. Pricey, but it is a viable option for some people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 If I wanted to swap this axle in my 89 2wd mj, what all would I have to look for in the yard? Is it plug and play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html This site should give you an idea of what's required. Welding will be necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.htmlThis site should give you an idea of what's required. Welding will be necessary. Not just a plug 'n' play thang humm.. The only thing I'm worried about is the offset at the pumkin. Is it the same offset on the mj something like 2 3/16', and the shorter width. So if i run stock wheels I'll need 5/8" spacers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've yet to read of anyone that had a problem from the pumpkin offset. And you may not need spacers depending on your rim and tire combo. But for what it's worth, back when I was contemplating using an 8.8 under my 90 the plan was to buy a single 1.5" or 2" wheel spacer (a full spacer, not just a plate with holes in it) and run it on the passenger side, thus simultaneously moving the pinion closer to center and widening the axle. Then I'd burn the perches on in the appropriate places (although technically I don't own a strong enough welder so I would have bolted everything up nice and snug an then slowly driven down the street to a local shop). Would I have needed to do either of those things? Nope. I just thought it was a clever idea and wanted to see if it would work. But I backed out in favor of just running the Dana 44 I already had in the garage and sticking with the 3.55 gears (I've only got 31s on that truck). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 But for what it's worth, back when I was contemplating using an 8.8 under my 90 the plan was to buy a single 1.5" or 2" wheel spacer and run it on the passenger side, thus simultaneously moving the pinion closer to center and widening the axle. I'm too into symetry to be able to let myself do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 But I'm fixing the fact that the pinion isn't symmetrical. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rokhound Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 i am running the 8.8 welded in my trail rig with 1.5 spacer and 34x9.5's the off set of the pumkin is not that much of an issue. The only issue is that these thing is heavy compard to the d35. So leave wheels on it so you can roll it around. That and these 8.8 are cheap you can get gears up to 4.56 maybe lower (is that right or maybe higher :nuts:any way) I vote for the 8.8 unless you can fall in to a deal on a 44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Yeah I think I'll just stick with the 35 for now. Redo the drums and keep a eye out for a 44. I have a isuzu 44 but it has 6 lugs and I like my stock bullet holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rokhound Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 The D35 is great rear end to keep (i guess :nuts:) if you aren't hard on it and if you are o well there is a ton of them out there and most people will almost give them away. Weld it up and go have some fun those 44 are out there good luck with your search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 The D35 is great rear end to keep (i guess :nuts:) if you aren't hard on it and if you are o well there is a ton of them out there and most people will almost give them away. Weld it up and go have some fun those 44 are out there good luck with your search How about swapping the isuzu 44's axles for some with a 5 on 4 1/2 ?? Think it'd work out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroader461 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 no i don't think that the izuzu axle can accept shafts w/ a 5x4.5 pattern...never heard of it done b4...the 8.8 is a good swap when having a welder...an MJ 44 is the best BOLT-IN application out there...an XJ 44 would require welding...and izuzu 44 is a tad narrower and also require welding along w/ the wrong bolt pattern and weird gear ratio's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 You could have shafts made for the isuzu D44 with 5x4.5 pattern, AFAIK. Since it should just take a standard D44 blank. That would cost money however, as custom axle shafts aren't really cheap. The isuzu axles also come in different widths depending on the year, and different gear ratios. 4.30 is common, but you can find 4.56 or 4.10 axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 You could have shafts made for the isuzu D44 with 5x4.5 pattern, AFAIK. Since it should just take a standard D44 blank. That would cost money however, as custom axle shafts aren't really cheap. The isuzu axles also come in different widths depending on the year, and different gear ratios. 4.30 is common, but you can find 4.56 or 4.10 axles. I was just think'n it would be nice to have rear discs :evil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Yeah, but you can't use the isuzu rotors if you go 5x4.5. Which I could have pointed out earlier, but forgot to mention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Yeah, but you can't use the isuzu rotors if you go 5x4.5. Which I could have pointed out earlier, but forgot to mention. True, as Mencia would say,, Duh, De, Duhhhhh.... So many decisions to make so little cash to make them,,,lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Oh, they make 6x5.5 to 5x4.5 adapters/spacers... Kinda pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarence Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 You could have shafts made for the isuzu D44 with 5x4.5 pattern, AFAIK. Since it should just take a standard D44 blank. That would cost money however, as custom axle shafts aren't really cheap. The isuzu axles also come in different widths depending on the year, and different gear ratios. 4.30 is common, but you can find 4.56 or 4.10 axles. I was just think'n it would be nice to have rear discs :evil: Having rear disk are nice. But there not necessary i wouldnt go out of my way just to get them. I run a dana 44 its stronger that the 8.8 and you can find one that will bolt right into your MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOMJ87 Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 I don't know if i would bring the strength argument up on 44 vs 8.8. It could get ugly. Cue EAGLE and PONG :popcorn: J/k But that is a testy topic with alot of people. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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