Explorer axle

[scrambled]

How hard is it to swap in a Ford 8.8 into a XJ. The axle is out of a 96' Explorer and the XJ is a 93' I think. Thanks for the help guys..

[Don]

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How hard is it to swap in a Ford 8.8 into a XJ. The axle is out of a 96' Explorer and the XJ is a 93' I think. Thanks for the help guys..

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Scrambled... I don't know anything about XJ's. However, there are bracket kits available to mount a Ford 8.8 into TJ's. I suspect that there is probably the same kit available for the XJ's. Basically, you will have to remove all brackets and spring perches (spell?) and weld on new ones. I have not done this mod yet, but it is one my "Wish List" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[scrambled]

YEah that's what I figured. I am asking for my brother because I am trying to get him to not put in the Super 35 in his XJ. That kit is great but he is looking at going to 35's in the future so I think we are going to go with a 44 in the rear. I seem to be doing all the research for him because he is too lazy and all he wants to do is drive it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/furious.gif.

Hey Don by the way where do you live in Louisville? I used to live pretty close to Shelbyville Rd. and Hurstborne Ln. intersection. Have you done any wheelin in Southern In.. There are a couple guys there with some tubed up Sammis' that have some cool little trails about 20 minutes north of New Albany.

[Don]

Scrambled,,, I don't think the Ford 8.8 will be that hard to do.... I say this as a person who hasn't done it yet, so I may change my tune later /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Only wheel-n that I have done in IN is in French Lick. What a Blast. I was there with IFWDA, the Fat Boys, and The Boonie Riders.. what a great bunch!! I have several wheel-n trip in IN on my schedule for this Summer, only Haspin Acres is semi close to home (120 miles). I also want to do the 4xkids day at Camp Riley this Summer. Long road trips could become an issue with gas $$ as high as they are and my 9 MPG tow rig. I am always looking for someone close to home to wheel with, if you have e-mail address for your friends, send a note asking them if I can tag a long sometime. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif I'll be in LBL at the end of April, plus we have two trips to Coal Creek scheduled. Would love to hook up with you at any of these events. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[mawardjr]

The Super 35 will give him stronger axle shafts but then the Ring and Pinion becomes the weak point. I'd rather blow a shaft than my ring gear.

If he's upgrading then I'd go for a stronger axle like your trying to push towards. The pain/cost of doing so will be worth it in the long run, especially if he's wanting to wheel it hard on 35's.

[Marlon_JBT]

Matt has done this. He should be chiming in soon. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[BillM]

The good thing about the 8.8 out of an Explorer is it is a leaf sprung vehicle just like the XJ in the back. You will need to relocate the spring perches and decide if you want to do a SOA or SUA. If you get enough lift for the front then the SOA would be worth it. There are other things also like the shock mount locations. You can go to most local Tractor Supply places and find your spring perches. If the 8.8 has disc brakes I think you will have to change out the parking brake cable. May have to change it either way. But that is the bigger things. Looks as if Matt has done this according to Marlon so he deffinately can give better insite on it.

[mullins87]

Ya'll know more about this than I do, but wouldn't a Chrysler 8.25 out of a late model XJ just bolt right in? How is it's strength when compared to the D44?

[Fred]

The 8.25 is lightly stronger than the D35, but significanly weaker than the D44. It would be a bolt in upgrade, and would in fact be an upgrade, but not a significant one. I wouold recommend this if the 8.25 is free or near free.

[Marlon_JBT]

[ QUOTE ]
The 8.25 is lightly stronger than the D35, but significanly weaker than the D44. It would be a bolt in upgrade, and would in fact be an upgrade, but not a significant one. I wouold recommend this if the 8.25 is free or near free.

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Lightly stronger than a D35? I need to see your sources on that one, Fred, because, from what I've read, that is NOT true at all.

[IndyXJ]

The 8.25 is almost as strong as the 44, just c- clipped.I don't have the chart in front of me, but yes, the 8.25 is up there just barely less than a 44.

[mullins87]

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....just c- clipped....

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So a D44 isn't c-clipped? Hmmm, I learn something everyday.

[Bolognablake]

A 29 spline 8.25 (97-up) is pretty much going to be able to handle anything thing you can trow at it, at least up to 35's. Throw in some chromoly shafts if you're feeling frisky.

[Matt]

There's two reasons to go to the 8.8. The unit is on par or stronger than the 44, and you can go to discs, which is a weak point at least with Xjs, they dont stop very well, especially with big tires.And yes, there is a kit, which includes, the pearches, E-brake cables, and someother things. If you're thinking about a gear change, they come with 4.10, so, just need to change the front diff. Major savings there! Take care

[DPSahara]

Most 8.8 axles have 3.73, everything else is right on.

There's two reasons to go to the 8.8. The unit is on par or stronger than the 44, and you can go to discs, which is a weak point at least with Xjs, they dont stop very well, especially with big tires.And yes, there is a kit, which includes, the pearches, E-brake cables, and someother things. If you're thinking about a gear change, they come with 4.10, so, just need to change the front diff. Major savings there! Take care

[Don]

Most 8.8 axles have 3.73, everything else is right on.

I have been thinking about going to an 8.8 as a replacement for my D35. Since, I want to keep the coil springs, add gears, and a locker, this isn't going to be cheap. I estimate it will cost approximately $2,000 for the conversion including labor (not including the gears in the Dana 30). :eek:

[Dave Taylor]

here's two reasons to go to the 8.8. The unit is on par or stronger than the 44
A little under-conservative on the 8.8 to 44 comparison.
All test comparions that have been done show the 8.8 being closer in strength to a Dana 60 than a Dana 44.

http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=1189

Bigger spline count,
Bigger axle width,
Bigger ring gear,
Alot bigger housing and tubes,
disc brakes,
upgradeable to 35 splines,
and huge production numbers to salvage spares from.

[DPSahara]

It can be done much cheaper than that.

I have been thinking about going to an 8.8 as a replacement for my D35. Since, I want to keep the coil springs, add gears, and a locker, this isn't going to be cheap. I estimate it will cost approximately $2,000 for the conversion including labor (not including the gears in the Dana 30). :eek: