Topic: what is the biggest axle that I should put on a 2.5 Liter YJ jeep?

[sharpxmen]

Thats why i decided to go with the ford 8.8s off a ford explorer, I currently looking at a running 4wd ford explorer off of craigslist for $600 w/ no title. I am just curouis as to which motor it has?  I am planning on going with the ford explorer as a donor for my jeep. i am just wanting to know how to modify the ford 8.8 for a jeep with a minimum 31" tires. i am just using these 31" until they wear down ,which is going to be a while since they have under 4,000 miles on them, i plan on upgrading to bigger tires after.

don't buy vehicles with no title - any vehicle should have one even if it cannot be registered for various reasons - if you still want to do it at least ask for the VIN and run it thru DMV to make sure it's not stolen.

[OH-YJ]

Thats why i decided to go with the ford 8.8s off a ford explorer it is closer to just bolt on than any other, I currently looking at a running 4wd ford explorer off of craigslist for $600 w/ no title. I am just curouis as to which motor it has?  I am planning on going with the ford explorer as a donor for my jeep. i am just wanting to know how to modify the ford 8.8 for a jeep with a minimum 31" tires. i am just using these 31" until they wear down ,which is going to be a while since they have under 4,000 miles on them, i plan on upgrading to bigger tires after. i am going to end up changing the axles anyway because I have a locking rear differential which I dislike the way it works, so I figured just as well make upgrades to bigger axles.

This is a good write-up on the 8.8

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

[neale_rs]

The Dana 44 is always a good choice.  I´m very happy with mine with the slightly larger drum brakes (compared to the D35 drums).

[dwtaylorpdx]

Thats what I have as well, But if I had to do it again it would be a 8.8,
I've found the 44 to be hard on axle bearings. I get about 35K out of a set.

Dave

[Jeffy]

Thats what I have as well, But if I had to do it again it would be a 8.8,
I've found the 44 to be hard on axle bearings. I get about 35K out of a set.

Dave

No problems with wheel bearings although if I was going to do it over again I'd probably go with a Toyota 8".  I might got 9" instead of 60's if I go bigger.

[dwtaylorpdx]

I have heard something and if someone could measure it on a new set of gears.

9" gear sets are the same size as 8.8 they use the same billets.

I' had a guy tell me that hes checked it, but wondered if we had a sample here...

Dave

[Bounty Hunter]

9" does not equal 8.8", where did you go to school?   

[FourbangerYJ]

No problems with wheel bearings although if I was going to do it over again I'd probably go with a Toyota 8".  I might got 9" instead of 60's if I go bigger.

If I had to replace my rear axle I think I would go this route.
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Ballistic-9-Complete-Semi-Float-Rear-Axle-_p_1641.html
With a Detroit and brakes it's in the $2700 range. Can't touch a new D60 for that price.

[neale_rs]

Thats what I have as well, But if I had to do it again it would be a 8.8,
I've found the 44 to be hard on axle bearings. I get about 35K out of a set.

Dave

Interesting.  I was reading about bearings a few days ago and it seems they can't take misalignment for very long.  If the axle shaft is not at almost exactly 90 deg to the bearing, they can wear out fast.