Topic: 8.8 rear end brackets tj

[cmc1]

  I just found out i can get a limited slip 8.8 rear end with the disc brakes and all for 275.00 at a local junk yard.If i had a way to properly install the control arm and trackbar brackets and spring mounts i think i would do it.Has anyone been able to pull this off at home with no jig to set it up?I know buying the brackets is another large expense to consider also.Or converting rear end to leaf springs?I do drive 90 percent on road so the control arms set up would be better for me but finacially mabe rear spring swap would be easier.Any ideas?

[Bounty Hunter]

Do't be afraid to set it up yourself as long as it's welded by a competent welder.  Just measure everything two or three times before tacking in place.  Hardest part may be setting the pinion angle unless you're setting the axle up same as stock.

[cmc1]

   I do have access to a very good welder.(not me).  and i do want the brackets to be in stock location.I had to buy adjustable upper arms for the rear when i did the sye kit to set the pinion angle.Hell i think i might give it a shot.I guess i can set them up on jack stands side by side and give it my best shot. I think i will go ahead and try to figure best place to purchase brackets at.(or cheapest place.lol) I think currie,teraflex and dynatrac sell them.Ok thanks for the input.probably my best bet instead of messing with the d35.

[95 Lowbuck]

Would it be better to try to find a D44 that came out of a TJ?
Besides drive shaft mods, (Same Goes For The 8., I would
think it would be a direct bolt in deal.
May not have the disc brakes or the gears you want,
but it would be a standard Jeep axle thats easy and cheap
to get parts for and modify.

[Jeffy]

Would it be better to try to find a D44 that came out of a TJ?
Besides drive shaft mods, (Same Goes For The 8., I would
think it would be a direct bolt in deal.
May not have the disc brakes or the gears you want,
but it would be a standard Jeep axle thats easy and cheap
to get parts for and modify.

The only downside to that is the axle tubes are undersized compared to a standard D44.  The internals are all the same though.  You'd also have to have it regeared to even work with a manual 4 banger with stock gears unless it was from a Rubicon.  In which caseit would have disc brakes as well.

It really depends on the local market and how much you want to pay.  Finding one prebuilt could save you some cash if you don't have the fabrication skills required.

[aw12345]

D44 out of a unlimited has factory discbrakes as well is not a bad swap if you use 3.73 gears also comes with a lsd

[cmc1]

yea i looked somewhat for d44 out of a tj but people think they are worth a whole lot more than i do.Im thinking i can do the 8.8 swap including the brackets for about 700.oo.  That will get me where im at now.stock 410 gears.I do have 488s and rebuild kits for the d30 and d35 tho.I may just try to get rid of all the d35 stuff to get 8.8 gears and bearings.The 8.8 rear allready has a ls diff.in it.For the type of 4wheeling i do it will probably be good enough.I live on the coast in north carolina so its flat land and sand on the beach.(lol)I havent had any trouble getting stuck with open diffs really.Nothing i couldnt air the tires down and get out of.Thanks for the replys.I think i may just give the 8.8 a shot.

[jagular7]

   I do have access to a very good welder.(not me).  and i do want the brackets to be in stock location.I had to buy adjustable upper arms for the rear when i did the sye kit to set the pinion angle.Hell i think i might give it a shot.I guess i can set them up on jack stands side by side and give it my best shot. I think i will go ahead and try to figure best place to purchase brackets at.(or cheapest place.lol) I think currie,teraflex and dynatrac sell them.Ok thanks for the input.probably my best bet instead of messing with the d35.

That's exactly what I had done to weld the brackets onto the 8.8. It mirrored the D35 that was on one set of stands and the 8.8 on the other. I didn't reset the pinion angle or the track bar mount as I had all adjustable links. I used MAD4X4 brackets....pricey at $300 IIRC. In reivew, I think I would have liked to have tried the leaf setup. I had an XJ for 10 yrs 4" lifted and locked. I don't recall 'crabbing' when turning as much as I notice it with the TJ. To add, I don't notice just the crab effect, but I also can feel the axle walk underneath with the front up on an obstacle. I've been hi-centered on the receiver point several different times. I think the leaf setup would be different and to my use a better choice. I only have a 3" lift using Jeep Rubicon springs and 2" poly spacer.


For a commuter, I'd probably stick with the coil/link setup.

For the swap, I used my stock TJ rear ds and only added the ds flange to mate to the pinion. The pinion will be offset. But nothing to be concerned about.

[cmc1]

jaguar thanks for the info and pics.your jeep looks awesome. I have read an artical about a guy who switched to rear leaves and said for his use it was much betterfeeling and stable rockcrawling.I hope mine comes out as good as yours did.thanks again for the info.