axle upgrade ?

MONSTERMUDDER · 01-30-2007, 04:30 PM

i have a 91 yj with a 4.0 manual tranny. im looking to upgrade my axles but i would like to see what everyones opinion is on the subject. i plan on running either 35s if i dont go all out, or 38s or 39s if i go all the way. ive read a lot on the 8.8s dana 44s and 60s. also to throw into the mix, im trying to keep from cutting down the axle housing. i have a lot of knowledge in mechanics but dont have the money to send them out to be sized to the jeep. which also says that i would like to keep it to something that is almost ready to bolt in without moving much. my intent is to have a respectable daily driver with the offroad performance to mud and rockclimb. well i think that about covers most of my question. cant wait to hear your responses.

**notmyj** · 01-30-2007, 04:38 PM

This guy just did a bolt in 8.8 in his TJ. I'm sure they can do them for a YJ aswell.

http://jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365948&highlight=ford+axle

93YJfalcon · 01-30-2007, 05:10 PM

One thing to consider:

Look ahead and decide where you are going with this thing before you invest.

I have the 8.8 right now and love it, but It has seriously narrowed my front axle upgrade options. I am stuck with trying to find a Waggy front d-44 (no easy task around here) or going chromo shafts in the D-30 (but It's still D-30 axle tubes). Anything other than that would require redrilling the rear axle bolt pattern and getting new rims.

crb577 · 01-30-2007, 06:38 PM

I have a waggy D44 and mine is 6 on 5.5 and the 8.8 is 5x4.5 unless you can change the D44 easily.

93YJfalcon · 01-30-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb577

I have a waggy D44 and mine is 6 on 5.5 and the 8.8 is 5x4.5 unless you can change the D44 easily.

I thought I remembered hearing that there were some Grand wagoneers with 5 on 4.5 pattern. It could be false info though. In that case - options are even fewer for me.

**notmyj** · 01-30-2007, 07:23 PM

IF you go with an 8.8 and upgrade teh axle shafts, you can get them in any bolt pattern you want for a couple bucks more. I have Yukon 8.8 shafts on my shelf that are drilled for both, 5x4.5 and 5x5.5.

not reall y abig problem if your going to upgrading things any way.

crb577 · 01-31-2007, 10:45 AM

yeah the only g-wag axles I've seen are the 6x5.5" bolt pattern so you need either a toyota 8" LP rear end (the HP break all the time very easily) or a rear 44 out of a waggy. Those are my two options I've been looking at recently. Trying to build my first set of axles. but anyway that's my .02

Tulsachokehold · 01-31-2007, 11:44 AM

You can get wheel spacers/addapters for 5 on 4.5 to 5 on 5.5" lug patterns. that might be a idea for you.

BudmanV6 · 01-31-2007, 12:55 PM

The 8.8 has a rediculously strong housing, which makes it good for upgrading. Drag race guys will throw well over 1000 hp into them. I had never heard it before, but if you do a search, I saw someone talking about a shop they knew of that even made 35 spline axle shafts for these and could somehow get arbs anddetroits for them. Just make sure you weld the housing to the pumpkin. Other than that, I paid $300 for mine out of a 97 explorer with 60,000 miles, disk brakes, and 4.10 gears...I love it, probally one of the best mods I have ever done.

Swampwalker3 · 01-31-2007, 03:37 PM

You could always go with a 9" in the front..

01-31-2007, 12:55 PM	#9
BudmanV6 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lewisville, Texas Posts: 454 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	The 8.8 has a rediculously strong housing, which makes it good for upgrading. Drag race guys will throw well over 1000 hp into them. I had never heard it before, but if you do a search, I saw someone talking about a shop they knew of that even made 35 spline axle shafts for these and could somehow get arbs anddetroits for them. Just make sure you weld the housing to the pumpkin. Other than that, I paid $300 for mine out of a 97 explorer with 60,000 miles, disk brakes, and 4.10 gears...I love it, probally one of the best mods I have ever done. __________________ 1992 Wrangler Sahara, 4.0L, 5spd, RE 4.5 XD lift, Fox remote reservoir shox, 33x12.5-15 BFGoodrich All-Terrains, 15x8 black rock crawlers, JK rubicon pneumatic swaybar, JKS quick disconnect track bar, Teraflex HD SYE, Tom Woods driveshaft, Ford 8.8 w/ 4.10 gears and arb locker, D30 w/ 4.11 gears and arb locker, York 210R OBA w/ Kilby mount, Dynomax Ultra Flow SS muffler, Alterstart 165A alternator, TJ flares, and Poison Spyder rocker knockers.