Topic: 4cyl and 8.8

[AGUHR]

Can a 4cyl engine handle the 8.8? I currently have a stock D35, looking to upgrade and I know I can finish an 8.8 for under $700 bolted in. Any opinions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[neale_rs]

No problem, many have done this.

[Mozman68]

It coulsd handle Rockwells...it's the larger wheel/tire combos that usually come along with the bigger axles that usually causes power issues.

[WranglerCOdy]

yeah took me and angler(tbaja) bout 8 hours to do the whole thing in my jeep.

[DodgeMudder]

unless your going bigger than 35's the 8.8 is a pig, stay with the 35 get alloy shafts if your breaking the stock ones.

[melbill]

 
Why would you want to keep the D35?

Bill

[Jeffy]

Why would you want to keep the D35?

Bill

Because it's free with the purchase of the vehicle!   

[DodgeMudder]

Why would you want to keep the D35?

Bill

The d35 is a lot better axle than most guys give them credit for.  they are smaller so they don't dig into the ground and work like an anchor slowing you down, there cheap to buy replacement parts for, to rebuild and to run.  Go look around the net on non-jeep sites, at what wheelers of s-10s and rangers/bIIs are swapping into their rigs, they love the bad press Jeepers give the 35 and they snag them up.  If I would have realized how much of a boat anchor my 8.8 would turn out to be I would have never got rid of my 35.

[oldjeep]

The d35 is a lot better axle than most guys give them credit for.  they are smaller so they don't dig into the ground and work like an anchor slowing you down, there cheap to buy replacement parts for, to rebuild and to run.  Go look around the net on non-jeep sites, at what wheelers of s-10s and rangers/bIIs are swapping into their rigs, they love the bad press Jeepers give the 35 and they snag them up.  If I would have realized how much of a boat anchor my 8.8 would turn out to be I would have never got rid of my 35.

If it works for you then keep it.  I've personally seen dozens of D35s break, either because the weak tubes bent or because they spit the shafts out.   As for the 8.8 being a boat anchor, what size tires are you running?

[dwtaylorpdx]

Cheaper makes it NO more fun to replace parts in....

My 35 failed twice on the street....

They were intended for a low power 2wd mini truck .....

They are not worth the gas to cut them up to fit in the scrap bin!

I'd NEVER go back.

Dave

[DodgeMudder]

If it works for you then keep it.  I've personally seen dozens of D35s break, either because the weak tubes bent or because they spit the shafts out.   As for the 8.8 being a boat anchor, what size tires are you running?

I run 34" LTBs in the rocks, and 36" TSLs when I'm running mud, and my 8.8 plows the whole time I'm on a trail, and w/ the large flange working like a stop instead of a smooth bottom housing the would slide, it's a boat anchor.

[neale_rs]

I always recommend getting a D44 rear axle, it has worked out well for me.