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

 

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.***.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
>
>

 

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.***.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
>
>

 

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.***.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
>
>

 

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.***.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
>
>