Ford 8.8 Swap
 

As I've posted before, I'm looking to do an axle swap, so when I upgrade my
tires to 33s and regear, I do it right the first time. I found out today I
can get an 8.8, drum to drum, with LSD, for $200 + shipping (I've been told
that'll be about $200...). So, $400 for a "new" axle. I don't weld (don't
have the equipment or know anyone that knows how), so I'd have to pay
someone to weld on the perches for me. I was told that would be about $40
(cheap!). The kits are about $200, I believe (for new spring cups, shock
mounts, etc).

By the time I sand it down, and put all new bearings in it -- I guess I'm
looking at about $800+ anyway. I could get a super 35 kit for that much and
have a detroit locker! Or, just save up a couple hundred more and get a
brand new Dana 44 (minus gears, which I have to get new no matter what way I
go -- unless someone has an axle with 4.88's or 4.56's sitting in there...).

Thoughts?

Eric
99 TJ SE

Re: Ford 8.8 Swap
 

IMO one of the reasons for doing the 8.8 is for the disc brakes. If you
aren't going to get a disc brake version, you are probably correct about
just upgrading your current axle or getting a D44.

Here is my write up on the 8.8 if it helps, since you don't weld:
http://www.dpgoffroad.com/tech/8.8.htm
This might help too. It is a bit more involved & confussing to read, but it
gives a parts list break down for costs.
http://members.cox.net/rockntj/Works/in_the_works.htm

Make sure you get the correct axle with the bigger shafts if you are going
to do it.

Good luck,
--James


"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:OXkIc.24043$mY2.10706@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> As I've posted before, I'm looking to do an axle swap, so when I upgrade
my
> tires to 33s and regear, I do it right the first time. I found out today
I
> can get an 8.8, drum to drum, with LSD, for $200 + shipping (I've been
told
> that'll be about $200...). So, $400 for a "new" axle. I don't weld
(don't
> have the equipment or know anyone that knows how), so I'd have to pay
> someone to weld on the perches for me. I was told that would be about $40
> (cheap!). The kits are about $200, I believe (for new spring cups, shock
> mounts, etc).
>
> By the time I sand it down, and put all new bearings in it -- I guess I'm
> looking at about $800+ anyway. I could get a super 35 kit for that much
and
> have a detroit locker! Or, just save up a couple hundred more and get a
> brand new Dana 44 (minus gears, which I have to get new no matter what way
I
> go -- unless someone has an axle with 4.88's or 4.56's sitting in
there...).
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Eric
> 99 TJ SE
>
>

Re: Ford 8.8 Swap
 

IMO one of the reasons for doing the 8.8 is for the disc brakes. If you
aren't going to get a disc brake version, you are probably correct about
just upgrading your current axle or getting a D44.

Here is my write up on the 8.8 if it helps, since you don't weld:
http://www.dpgoffroad.com/tech/8.8.htm
This might help too. It is a bit more involved & confussing to read, but it
gives a parts list break down for costs.
http://members.cox.net/rockntj/Works/in_the_works.htm

Make sure you get the correct axle with the bigger shafts if you are going
to do it.

Good luck,
--James


"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:OXkIc.24043$mY2.10706@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> As I've posted before, I'm looking to do an axle swap, so when I upgrade
my
> tires to 33s and regear, I do it right the first time. I found out today
I
> can get an 8.8, drum to drum, with LSD, for $200 + shipping (I've been
told
> that'll be about $200...). So, $400 for a "new" axle. I don't weld
(don't
> have the equipment or know anyone that knows how), so I'd have to pay
> someone to weld on the perches for me. I was told that would be about $40
> (cheap!). The kits are about $200, I believe (for new spring cups, shock
> mounts, etc).
>
> By the time I sand it down, and put all new bearings in it -- I guess I'm
> looking at about $800+ anyway. I could get a super 35 kit for that much
and
> have a detroit locker! Or, just save up a couple hundred more and get a
> brand new Dana 44 (minus gears, which I have to get new no matter what way
I
> go -- unless someone has an axle with 4.88's or 4.56's sitting in
there...).
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Eric
> 99 TJ SE
>
>

Re: Ford 8.8 Swap
 

IMO one of the reasons for doing the 8.8 is for the disc brakes. If you
aren't going to get a disc brake version, you are probably correct about
just upgrading your current axle or getting a D44.

Here is my write up on the 8.8 if it helps, since you don't weld:
http://www.dpgoffroad.com/tech/8.8.htm
This might help too. It is a bit more involved & confussing to read, but it
gives a parts list break down for costs.
http://members.cox.net/rockntj/Works/in_the_works.htm

Make sure you get the correct axle with the bigger shafts if you are going
to do it.

Good luck,
--James


"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:OXkIc.24043$mY2.10706@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> As I've posted before, I'm looking to do an axle swap, so when I upgrade
my
> tires to 33s and regear, I do it right the first time. I found out today
I
> can get an 8.8, drum to drum, with LSD, for $200 + shipping (I've been
told
> that'll be about $200...). So, $400 for a "new" axle. I don't weld
(don't
> have the equipment or know anyone that knows how), so I'd have to pay
> someone to weld on the perches for me. I was told that would be about $40
> (cheap!). The kits are about $200, I believe (for new spring cups, shock
> mounts, etc).
>
> By the time I sand it down, and put all new bearings in it -- I guess I'm
> looking at about $800+ anyway. I could get a super 35 kit for that much
and
> have a detroit locker! Or, just save up a couple hundred more and get a
> brand new Dana 44 (minus gears, which I have to get new no matter what way
I
> go -- unless someone has an axle with 4.88's or 4.56's sitting in
there...).
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Eric
> 99 TJ SE
>
>

Re: Ford 8.8 Swap
 

IMO one of the reasons for doing the 8.8 is for the disc brakes. If you
aren't going to get a disc brake version, you are probably correct about
just upgrading your current axle or getting a D44.

Here is my write up on the 8.8 if it helps, since you don't weld:
http://www.dpgoffroad.com/tech/8.8.htm
This might help too. It is a bit more involved & confussing to read, but it
gives a parts list break down for costs.
http://members.cox.net/rockntj/Works/in_the_works.htm

Make sure you get the correct axle with the bigger shafts if you are going
to do it.

Good luck,
--James


"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:OXkIc.24043$mY2.10706@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> As I've posted before, I'm looking to do an axle swap, so when I upgrade
my
> tires to 33s and regear, I do it right the first time. I found out today
I
> can get an 8.8, drum to drum, with LSD, for $200 + shipping (I've been
told
> that'll be about $200...). So, $400 for a "new" axle. I don't weld
(don't
> have the equipment or know anyone that knows how), so I'd have to pay
> someone to weld on the perches for me. I was told that would be about $40
> (cheap!). The kits are about $200, I believe (for new spring cups, shock
> mounts, etc).
>
> By the time I sand it down, and put all new bearings in it -- I guess I'm
> looking at about $800+ anyway. I could get a super 35 kit for that much
and
> have a detroit locker! Or, just save up a couple hundred more and get a
> brand new Dana 44 (minus gears, which I have to get new no matter what way
I
> go -- unless someone has an axle with 4.88's or 4.56's sitting in
there...).
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Eric
> 99 TJ SE
>
>