Jump to content

8.8 swap questions


Recommended Posts

I just bought an 86 MJ (my 1st MJ) with a broken D35 in the back, and since no local junkyards have an MJ d35 with the correct ratio, it seems that installing a explorer 8.8 would not be a whole lot more work than making a non MJ D35 fit and then i wouldn't need to worry about a broken rear end again for a while.

 

first off on this site they are able to use the flange adaptor from the explorer to mate to the jeep driveshaft. it says "Cherokees with 8.25 rear ends (and '94+ YJs) used 1330 rear u-joints, just like the Explorers." but my thought is if they were able to use the D35 with that u joint could a stock MJ driveshaft also be made to work?

 

second question. i plan on going SOA eventually but i don't have the budget to do it at the moment, so would it be possible to weld spring perches to the top and bottom of the axle and then later cut off the bottom ones when i go SOA?

 

that's all i got for now, but i'm sure to think of more later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well to swap in an 8.8 you are going to need a 1310 companion flange... yes some explorers came with the 1330.. you just need to worry about the 1310.

 

Also you can weld as manay perches as you want on your axle.. after all it is your axle. Jeff and I just did a SOA on his rig, and his was a MJ d44, so we welded perched parrallel to those and called it good.

 

Jeff and I realized this when we did his soa.. that with stock tires your rims are real close to the frame in the rear, and with an 8.8 would be even closer, so wheel spacers would almost be a must.

 

Just remember to ser your pinion at the same angle as your t-case pinion (without sye) and with SYE point it towards it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

so if i take the one from the explorer driveshaft i'm ok? it will fit the driveshaft of my 86 mj 4x4 with an ax-4 and d35?

 

The explorer would have a flange adapter that fits a 1330 U-joint. Your Jeep uses a 1310 U-joint, so no the Explorer one won't work. I think either an Areostar adapter or a Ranger adapter is the right size Make sure the Ford you're looking at has an 8.8 and not the smaller 7.5 (or whatever the number is). Ford used the 8.8 differential on all sorts of vehicles (but only the Explorer axle will fit your Jeep).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not necessarily... you could swap to a conventional yoke OR just be sure to take it when you get the axle from the donor exploder!!!

 

CW

 

YUP, You could just swap in a conventional yoke as well... I heard that somewhere before.... :brows: :shake:

 

 

Pete,

Unless my TJ is different, the factory FORD flange worked perfectly with the factory DS When I swapped in the 8.8. It also works with Tom Woods thats under it now.

 

CW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

got my 8.8 today, it's from a 93 explorer so unfortunately it's got drums, but the pick n pull yard didn't have any 95+ and the price was right at $89. It has an LSD too which since i plan to make the truck a daily driver should make it a lot better on snowy roads and in the wet.

 

i looked at the part #s for the u-joints of various ford vehicles and i found a 4.0L ranger or aerostar have the same u joint as the MJ. so i plan to go back and get one of those, didn't have time today.

 

i have the explorer adapton as well right now so i'll see how it fits, maybe it'll work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Pete,

Unless my TJ is different, the factory FORD flange worked perfectly with the factory DS When I swapped in the 8.8. It also works with Tom Woods thats under it now.

 

CW

 

As I understand it, I believe your TJ would have the 1330 U-joints. I could be wrong. I don't own an Explorer or a TJ to go measure. :dunno:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

wanted to follow up on this topic. Can anyone confirm if you can use a yoke off a ranger or such to connect an 8.8 to a stock MJ driveshaft? I just picked up my 8.8 and wanna get her under the jeep soon!! jamminz.gifjamminz.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just installed a 8.8 in my MJ this week, the rear end I had gotten had the pinion flange adapter on it, (they torched off the shaft). I removed the old 1330 joint and bought a 1330/1310 conversion joint at a auto parts store. (if you need a part # just google 1310 to 1330 conversion joint

) and my stock driveshaft worked great. The flange yoke does need to be off of a 8.8 to work off an Explorer or Ranger from what I was told

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No matter what you have to put to perches on so do the SOA now. Trust me you'll thank me later. Do the rear now and throw some 3in coils up front for now and run it like that then build the front up, or wait on the axle swap untill you can do the front as well.

 

http://www.mountainoffroad.com/more.htm

 

 

companion flange adapter (Spicer number 2-2-1379)

http://members.cox.net/quanno/ford88.html

 

 

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... p-186.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yup, SOA for the rear and I have some RE 4.5in coils for up front. also have some 2in spacers for the front if I need them, new trackbar, JKS Discos, Adj Lowers, New SS brake lines, Wheel spacers for front and rear, got the 1310 flange yoke w/ new ujoint, spring perches, shock brackets..... think that is it. What can I use for spring plates?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had my buddy Dune Coon fab up a set using the shock mounts from the old with a 1/4" steel plate for the springs. Worked great. Then you can just cut off later when you get shock mounts. But if have some then just use some steel and make one yourself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...