Help me decide on what to do with the ZJ's rear end.

**SpeedyCat3** · 02-08-2010, 04:46 PM

The 97 ZJ rear end is giving up the ghost.
It is a D35 that the PO probable swapped in... (only a guess as I have no documentation on that)
I have a Full size Ford 9 inch and all the parts to convert it to disk brakes. I want to do the IRO long arms together with swapping rear ends; and I guess the IRO bracket kit for the 8.8 could work for the 9 inch once it is cleaned up.

I realize that it is wider, and that I will need to convert the front to a D44 from a 77 or earlier F100 in order to match track widths.

So, in first scenario, I would run the 9 inch for some time, already with long arms and at 5 inches of height or so, and I can simply buy the most shallow BS soft 8 rims to offset the width; (I mean while I am still running the D30 in front, and looking for the donor D44)

The other scenario is to get a Junkyard 8.8 already with 4.10 (not the ideal ratio I need for my 35's and long arms, but ok for now) and also look for an HPD30 from an XJ as a direct swap. ( If I am as lucky as my cat; I might find a D30 already with 4.10's in it and call it a day)

The second option supposes less investment in fabrication as the D30 is bolt on, and the 8.8 and 9 inch brackets would be almost the same. The 9 inch would need gears anyway.

I am looking to run 35's with long arms, and though I do not wheel hard or do rocks here in South Florida, I'd like it to be dependable.

So... let's hear your opinions and votes.

**SpeedyCat3** · 02-08-2010, 10:47 PM

bump for the night shift.
Any thoughts.?

**StrokedWJ** · 02-08-2010, 10:51 PM

For 35's I would go with the hp44/9 combo.

Wilky93 · 02-08-2010, 11:03 PM

9 inch. get it shortened if width is a problem.

**SpeedyCat3** · 02-08-2010, 11:17 PM

If I do the 9 inch. I will just get the matching front.
Has anybody done a 9 inch swap that will know which bracket kit will be the best?
I also like the 9 inch better, but I tend to think that the cost of a front and rear full width swap will be higher.

BLACKzj52 · 02-08-2010, 11:47 PM

if you dont plan on going any higher id say just stick with an hp30 and 8.8. if you plan on going higher id with the 9" route

**IronMaiden** · 02-09-2010, 07:08 AM

I vote HP30 with 4.10's and an 8.8 with 4.10's and some 1" spacers in the rear. That is the exact setup that I'm putting in my rig right now with 35's.

Cheaper and the 8.8 already has discs and is a very stout axle.

Compete rears go for about $75-$100 with 4.10's already in them. Granted the 4.10's aren't ideal for 35's but you can always re-gear them later.

If you are going with bigger tires down the road: do the narrowed 9" and put a matching narrowed D44 up front now.

I'm not a fan of full width axles in a street driven rig due to tires sticking out past the fenders so much. It's a ticket waiting to happen around here.

**ratmonkey** · 02-09-2010, 08:11 AM

most states have mudflap/fender flare laws. tough to cover up full widths and big tires enough to be legal.

that said, i'd only go full width in a hp60 and 14b and be done with it all. the extra hassle of full widths isn't worth it for half ton/barely 3/4 ton rated axles.

**SpeedyCat3** · 02-09-2010, 10:41 AM

As far as the tires sticking, I was going to do the Iceland Offroad Flares.
I believe that a D60/14 bolt combo would be way too overkill for what I use the jeep for (and much more expensive) and I really do not think that bigger than 35 or 36's will ever be on this ZJ.
I agree that the 8.8 and D30 front is cheaper. I just don't know how the D30 would hold when I throw in the 35 Swamper boggers on it.
Main reason I like the 8.8 is because I can still have working ABS with it.

**IronMaiden** · 02-09-2010, 10:49 AM

The 30 is going to explode with Boggers on it in a matter of minutes.

The 8.8 ABS is not plug and play with the Jeep and would be a waste of time with that big of a tire IMO.

**SpeedyCat3** · 02-09-2010, 10:59 AM

Well, easy enough to make it work with grinding some teeth, and at least retain the ABS.
That is the main problem here though... if I stay with a D30 front, I will have to stay with 33's for a while.
I will look at the funds and see if in the meantime a D44 full size comes around.
What I really wanted to do was make my 9 inch work for the time being, and keep on looking for a matched front. I am afraid that thee 35 will let go any minute, and I will be forced to find another piece of crap 35 at the junkyard just to get it going again.

BLACKzj52 · 02-09-2010, 01:50 PM

hp30s with chromos start snapping when wheeled hard on 37s. i think youd be fine with 35s

View Poll Results: What to do with the ZJ's rear end.
Ford 9 inch ful size already on hand, and with disk brake kit.	8	61.54%
Junkyard Ford 8.8 rear end.	5	38.46%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll