Topic: Ford 8.8

[schmitty1990]

Anyone do it? Anyone Like it? I was thinking about putting a an 8.8 in my wrangler. any suggestions?

[Shawn_c]

Anyone do it? Anyone Like it? I was thinking about putting a an 8.8 in my wrangler. any suggestions?

The things I don't like about it:

Weak flanges have a tendency to bend.  If not noticed it will eventually lead to premature brake failure/fade.
Weld the tubes to the center section to keep it the center section from spinning.
Off set pumpkin can add to driveline vibes
about 5/8" too narrow on each side

Things I like-

correct bolt pattern
31 spline shafts


I have a love hate thing with the disc brakes.  Easier to maintain, but some people have problems dialing in the correct brake pressure.  Also remember that the tubes are much larger then dana 35 tubes so you'll get more lift when you install it.  IMO the only reason this axle is so popular is it's similiar in width and the correct bolt pattern.  YJ axle swaps are so easy you have lots of choices.  If it were me I'd go down to the PnP and pull out a pair of waggy Dana 44's.  Having a pair like that you can get much deeper  gearing and the dana 44 can be upgraded from stock 30 splines to alloy 30 spline, alloy 33 spline, and the ultimate alloy 35 spline(basically a 35 spline Dana 60 shaft)Heck I see whole wagoneers going for $400-$500.   Buy one use the axles and either junk the carkus or part it out and make a few $$$.

[garydubf]

I haven't done it yet.  It's still in the build phase!  I do know a guy or 2 that have an 8.8 in their TJ's and love them.  Check out Stuoffroad.com

[lanulos89]

cept 8.8's are a lot easier to find, and cheaper.  plus u rrly break front axle so u cld technically runs a 8.8 and a 30 and you'll be set for life.

[schmitty1990]

i was really into the dana 44, but its hard to find one with the same bolt pattern as the dana 35, and im not ready to spend the money on doing both axles.  Im not a hardcore offroader but i want something strong in the back that i can count on.  and i dont plan on going bigger than 33s.  but i have heard good and bad things about the 8.8.  mostly good though

[Shawn_c]

cept 8.8's are a lot easier to find, and cheaper.  plus u rrly break front axle so u cld technically runs a 8.8 and a 30 and you'll be set for life.

LOL not sure what your trying to say there.  Here 8.8's with 3.73's and less go for $250-$350 and 8.8's with 4.10's go for $400.  A few years ago you could get them for $50, but the scrap yards figured out how usefull they were to off roaders and started jacking up the prices.  As far as easier and cheaper to find, maybe in your neck of the woods but out here waggy stuff is all over the place as if or more common then exploder stuff.

The waggy 44 front offers some extra stuff like availibility of high steer, much larger ball joints and inner C's, real selectable hubs, and stock 30 spline shafts.  But the thing that I really like, is the ability to go deeper then 4.88 gears. 

With a 30/8.8 combo the deepest gear set you can run is 4.88's.  Which limits you to 35" tires if you run a 4 banger.  Even with 4.88's I still feel under geared at that.  But to really use 35's you have to signifigantly beef up the 30 and add alloy shafts and high strength u-joints.  With 44's you could run a 37" + tire.

[Shawn_c]

i was really into the dana 44, but its hard to find one with the same bolt pattern as the dana 35, and im not ready to spend the money on doing both axles.  Im not a hardcore offroader but i want something strong in the back that i can count on.  and i dont plan on going bigger than 33s.  but i have heard good and bad things about the 8.8.  mostly good though

Since your in a YJ it makes an axle swap a no brainer.  If you want a locker in the back I'd consider doing a 30 spline super 35 kit.  With a detroit and installed you'd be in it less then $1000.

[Jeffy]

You could do a Isuzu D44 and maybe get the axles and discs drilled for 5 on 4.5"?  You could get a SJ or IH Scout or Ford Bronco D44 and either get axle shafts that are drilled for both patterns or run adapters.  Another option would be a Toyota 8".  Get one from a V6.  These are 6 on 5.5" as well, I believe.  You can swap parts with a I4 8" and to get 5 on 4.5", I think.  Toy 8" are fairly plentiful as well.

Otherwise, go with the Ford 8.8" from a Ranger (no discs but option of 4.56:1) or an Explorer (disc brakes).  Another option would be Ford 9" from a Lincoln Town car, Grand Marquis, or LTD.  They are 28 spline and have disc brakes. You could then grab some axles from a Ford truck F150 and have them cut and use the carrier to upgrade to 30 spline.  It's a bit more work though. 

[schmitty1990]

i dont plan on going over 33s. and i couldn't even tell you the last time i have seen a waggy around here. so im thinking the 8.8 is my best bet.

[Shawn_c]

You could do a Isuzu D44 and maybe get the axles and discs drilled for 5 on 4.5"?  You could get a SJ or IH Scout or Ford Bronco D44 and either get axle shafts that are drilled for both patterns or run adapters.  Another option would be a Toyota 8".  Get one from a V6.  These are 6 on 5.5" as well, I believe.  You can swap parts with a I4 8" and to get 5 on 4.5", I think.  Toy 8" are fairly plentiful as well.

Otherwise, go with the Ford 8.8" from a Ranger (no discs but option of 4.56:1) or an Explorer (disc brakes).  Another option would be Ford 9" from a Lincoln Town car, Grand Marquis, or LTD.  They are 28 spline and have disc brakes. You could then grab some axles from a Ford truck F150 and have them cut and use the carrier to upgrade to 30 spline.  It's a bit more work though. 

I believe Ford Rangers are even narrower then exploders plus they 28 spline.  All the bearings and seals may be different for a 31 spline.

Personally I don't see what the hub bub is about if your only running 33's and haven't broke what ya got, why invest in a whole new axle?  But your in a YJ so  that does simplify things alot.  I beat my crap in the mud and sand and don't have issues (except with spider gears).

[Jeffy]

I believe Ford Rangers are even narrower then exploders plus they 28 spline.  All the bearings and seals may be different for a 31 spline.

Personally I don't see what the hub bub is about if your only running 33's and haven't broke what ya got, why invest in a whole new axle?  But your in a YJ so  that does simplify things alot.  I beat my crap in the mud and sand and don't have issues (except with spider gears).

The earlier Rangers are 7.5" I believe.  The XLT's are 31 spline and geared as low as 4.56 with an eaton LSD.

[Shawn_c]

I believe Ford Rangers are even narrower then exploders plus they 28 spline.  All the bearings and seals may be different for a 31 spline.

Personally I don't see what the hub bub is about if your only running 33's and haven't broke what ya got, why invest in a whole new axle?  But your in a YJ so  that does simplify things alot.  I beat my crap in the mud and sand and don't have issues (except with spider gears).

The earlier Rangers are 7.5" I believe.  The XLT's are 31 spline and geared as low as 4.56 with an eaton LSD.

I'll do some more research on that.  Everything I read has always said 28 spline 8.8. 

[Jeffy]

You can find a lot of info here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.htm

[Shawn_c]

yeah this what I got

Fx4 ford rangers are the only ones that got 31 spline 8.8's.  The rest are 28 spline.  Ranger 8.8's are 1.5" narrower then explorer 8.8's.  That in itself should disqualify it as a swap into a YJ or TJ.  Your tires would get into the body to much at  that point.  Interesting, I wish I would have known about the internet when I had my ranger.  4.56's with a 4.0L would make a pretty peppy combo.

[oldjeep]

Here 8.8's go for $89.  I've got one in my YJ and one in the kids comanche.  Cheap easy swap