Axle Upgrade

Down&Dirty · 07-09-2004, 01:25 PM

So my rear axle is shot. Sounds like a great time to upgrade so it is time to figure out what I am going to replace them with. I have read a bunch on the Ford 8.8 rear, but to be honest this doesn't seem like much of an upgrade for the amount of work involved. I am thinking dana 44 or a Ford 9 inch but figured I would put it out there for everyone to throw in their 2 cents and help me in building a dream jeep. Shot, maybe even a 14 bolt rear. I want this to be indestructible---or atleast it should take a ton of effort to break it. I am only planning on running a 35 inch tire, nothing bigger since this is a daily driver. Opps was a daily driver.

JSBlu974X4 · 07-09-2004, 01:27 PM

quadratec and sams sell superior dana 44 rears with brackets brakes, shafts, gears, and lockers, bolt up ready, or you can go dana 60 or 14 bolt. but you might look some clearance due to size

**Wheelin98TJ** · 07-09-2004, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down&Dirty

I have read a bunch on the Ford 8.8 rear, but to be honest this doesn't seem like much of an upgrade for the amount of work involved. I am thinking dana 44 or a Ford 9 inch but figured I would put it out there for everyone to throw in their 2 cents and help me in building a dream jeep.

The 8.8 is stronger than a d44 if both axles are in stock form. The 9 inch weighs more than both and actually has a ring gear diameter of 8.8 (sound familiar?). Don't get me wrong, the 9 inch is a good axle, but I think the 8.8 holds its ground pretty good against it. Really, all I have heard is stronger with the 9 is the housing, and thats only in some cases. If you are junkyard shopping for one, be sure to get the right one.

Do some more research - the 8.8 is quite a tough axle. A friend of mine runs 39.5 boggers turned by a healthy 351 with a lincoln locked 8.8. No problems at all in the last 3 years. Plus, I see all kinds of Mustangs beating the crap out of these axles with no problems either (except with the factory limited slip).

Oh, and I may be a little biased since we are talking about what I chose for a rear axle. This is just my opinion.

Jeepin_Jeffster · 07-09-2004, 04:03 PM

I'm running an 8.8 rear, detroit softlocker & 35's on my DD. Couldn't be happier. I also beat it up pretty good offroad & haven't had any problems so far. If you're not wanting to go larger than 35's, the 8.8 is a great choice for an upgraded axle. As mentioned above, it's beefier and stronger than the D44's.

-Jeff

Here's a couple links I checked out before my swap:

http://members.cox.net/quanno/ford88.html
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/axle/Ford8.8/97.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~jetmanjay/id6.html
http://www.stu-offroad.com/otherwriteups/8.8axle/8.8axle-1.htm

dirtgrip · 07-09-2004, 06:19 PM

The big question is how much $$$ are you willing to part with?8.8,s can be gotten pretty cheaply,D44 are probably twice as much all set up to bolt in, & D60 is about $4500 or so ready to bolt in & go up from there for high pinion,custom housings, etc.Any of these will handle 35,s & D60 has no size limit you,ll ever reach on a TJ.

**igofshn** · 07-09-2004, 06:56 PM

The 8.8 is a very good axle. The only problems are the pumkin is offset a little and it still has c clips. The 9 has no c clips. i'd get the 9. 9's can be had fro pretty good prices. If you want one all ready, you can get one from currie for about 3k and that includes choice of gears, locker and disc brakes.

Down&Dirty · 07-09-2004, 08:07 PM

Well now there isn't much of a choice. I HAVE TO UPGRADE. After talking with the mechanics that checked out a noise I picked up this weekend while wheeling in Uwharrie they said, and I will go ahead and do it, I will quote them. "Your jeep looks great. The front driveshaft is where the noise is coming from. It is an aftermarket on that was made a couple inches short so you should replace it right away, but other than that enjoy. Also your back is locked---like I didn't know already -- and it is a little loose. You will want to upgrade soon to a D44 or Ford 9 inch." Well with that I said, man this was a pretty rough week. I am off to try out a new local trail I just heard of. Neadless to say. Two hours after grabbing the jeep from the shop that checked it out I was on the trail staring down a huge steep hill with rocks and roots all over. Man I have been looking for this hill for a long time. So 4wheel low and I was off. Before I knew it my front wheels were slipping and then it began to hop. Hopped twice to be precise. On the first hop there was a loud bang. Then the second hop and once again BANG! So I creaped back down trying not to role it and then finally got to the bottom. Only to find out I busted both c clips and my wheelbase had become about 2 feet wider than normal. So here I sit dreaming of a $4000 axle while my wallet says patch it up and try again. I think the Ford 9 inch is what I want but that is going to cost a bunch once I change the gears and relock it. Not to mention that I have to get all the mounts welded on there. My welding isn't good enough for something my life depends on. I trust it with my beer, just not my life. Any suggestions for a downhearted wheeler?

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-09-2004, 08:09 PM

Buy a used rear Dana 44 out of a TJ. Mine cost me around $1200.

aroberts · 07-09-2004, 08:54 PM

I have a Tera CRD 60. Wouldn't trade it. Am running 36" IROK tires. Don't have to worry about axle breakage this way. Better to overbuild than to go cheap and have to fix it all the time.

crazyTJ · 07-09-2004, 09:12 PM

I am running a custom 9" rear that cost me around $2000 installed with 4:88's, Detroit, and Moser shafts. www.ok4wd.com .They are selling 8.8 axles for $800 I believe. Check out there site. Good luck.
Crazy

Darkstar · 07-09-2004, 09:28 PM

If your going to put on bigger meats in the future (i.e. 35's), I'd say do an 8.8 swap now (you can get them with 4.10's and disc brakes for under $500). Not only will it be cheaper (or about the same cost) then going with a Super XX kit and rebuilding your current axle (and regearing the front D30), but it will also provide strength for when you get bigger tires. I plan on doing the exact same thing pretty soon...

Scafone · 07-09-2004, 10:24 PM

One more vote here for the 8.8

BTW, I finished my swap for ~$400

Twig · 07-09-2004, 11:24 PM

I chose the 8.8 also, got it for $150 at a salvage yard with 4.10 gears in it and complete disk brakes.

**ErikJordan** · 07-09-2004, 11:58 PM

imo the 8.8 is a great axle.. i have one in my jeep. HOWEVER, i have a yj, which is basicly a bolt on for the 8.8. if i had a tj, and had to do all the work needed to get an axle under ther... it would be a 60 or a 9 inch

98tjmudslinger · 07-10-2004, 01:16 AM

i faced the same decision after i blew out my stock 35. i looked around at junkyards and could find nothing that seemed cheap enough to be from a junkyard. after a few weeks i went up to the dealer looking for dana 44 prices. $1200 for a brand spankin new 44 and all i needed to do was buy the shafts and some new brakes and i was ready to go. instalation wasnt bad and in the end it only cost me about $1500 which seems rather low from what i hear everyone else paying. just a suggestion tho it all depends on what your lookin for

07-09-2004, 04:03 PM	#4
Jeepin_Jeffster Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 514 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I'm running an 8.8 rear, detroit softlocker & 35's on my DD. Couldn't be happier. I also beat it up pretty good offroad & haven't had any problems so far. If you're not wanting to go larger than 35's, the 8.8 is a great choice for an upgraded axle. As mentioned above, it's beefier and stronger than the D44's. -Jeff Here's a couple links I checked out before my swap: http://members.cox.net/quanno/ford88.html http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/axle/Ford8.8/97.html http://home.earthlink.net/~jetmanjay/id6.html http://www.stu-offroad.com/otherwriteups/8.8axle/8.8axle-1.htm __________________ '01 TJ with mods... :) [COLOR=white][B]White[/B][/COLOR] Jeep Club Member #22

07-09-2004, 06:56 PM	#6
igofshn Locked @ both ends Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Lemoore, CA Posts: 8,032 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	The 8.8 is a very good axle. The only problems are the pumkin is offset a little and it still has c clips. The 9 has no c clips. i'd get the 9. 9's can be had fro pretty good prices. If you want one all ready, you can get one from currie for about 3k and that includes choice of gears, locker and disc brakes. __________________ 2007, 4 door, powered by a minivan engine, locked and riding on 35's. [Jeep Pics

07-09-2004, 08:07 PM	#7
Down&Dirty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 408 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well now there isn't much of a choice. I HAVE TO UPGRADE. After talking with the mechanics that checked out a noise I picked up this weekend while wheeling in Uwharrie they said, and I will go ahead and do it, I will quote them. "Your jeep looks great. The front driveshaft is where the noise is coming from. It is an aftermarket on that was made a couple inches short so you should replace it right away, but other than that enjoy. Also your back is locked---like I didn't know already -- and it is a little loose. You will want to upgrade soon to a D44 or Ford 9 inch." Well with that I said, man this was a pretty rough week. I am off to try out a new local trail I just heard of. Neadless to say. Two hours after grabbing the jeep from the shop that checked it out I was on the trail staring down a huge steep hill with rocks and roots all over. Man I have been looking for this hill for a long time. So 4wheel low and I was off. Before I knew it my front wheels were slipping and then it began to hop. Hopped twice to be precise. On the first hop there was a loud bang. Then the second hop and once again BANG! So I creaped back down trying not to role it and then finally got to the bottom. Only to find out I busted both c clips and my wheelbase had become about 2 feet wider than normal. So here I sit dreaming of a $4000 axle while my wallet says patch it up and try again. I think the Ford 9 inch is what I want but that is going to cost a bunch once I change the gears and relock it. Not to mention that I have to get all the mounts welded on there. My welding isn't good enough for something my life depends on. I trust it with my beer, just not my life. Any suggestions for a downhearted wheeler? __________________ 53 willys wagon with less of rust and no more bugs. Now sporting a 1988 wagoneer frame, amc 360, dana 44's. '80 CJ-5, full width, 3 link front, 1/4 elliptical rear, 38's, and propane.

07-09-2004, 09:12 PM	#10
crazyTJ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 358 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I am running a custom 9" rear that cost me around $2000 installed with 4:88's, Detroit, and Moser shafts. www.ok4wd.com .They are selling 8.8 axles for $800 I believe. Check out there site. Good luck. Crazy __________________ 97 TJ 4 cyl/5 speed/4:88's,6+"of lift,37 Parnelli Jones on DC-1's,9"rear/Moser alloys,Dana30/Evolution alloys,lockers,cage, winch,4 to1 ,lots of other stuff!!! Wife that hates my Jeep Last edited by crazyTJ; 07-09-2004 at 09:14 PM..

07-09-2004, 09:28 PM	#11
Darkstar Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 72 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If your going to put on bigger meats in the future (i.e. 35's), I'd say do an 8.8 swap now (you can get them with 4.10's and disc brakes for under $500). Not only will it be cheaper (or about the same cost) then going with a Super XX kit and rebuilding your current axle (and regearing the front D30), but it will also provide strength for when you get bigger tires. I plan on doing the exact same thing pretty soon... __________________ '99 TJ Sport, 5 speed, black/black, hard top, 31x10.50 BFG AT's on Canyon's.

07-09-2004, 08:54 PM	#9
aroberts Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City, Ok Posts: 200 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have a Tera CRD 60. Wouldn't trade it. Am running 36" IROK tires. Don't have to worry about axle breakage this way. Better to overbuild than to go cheap and have to fix it all the time.

07-09-2004, 11:24 PM	#13
Twig Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Platteville, WI Posts: 295 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I chose the 8.8 also, got it for $150 at a salvage yard with 4.10 gears in it and complete disk brakes.

07-10-2004, 01:16 AM	#15
98tjmudslinger Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 25 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i faced the same decision after i blew out my stock 35. i looked around at junkyards and could find nothing that seemed cheap enough to be from a junkyard. after a few weeks i went up to the dealer looking for dana 44 prices. $1200 for a brand spankin new 44 and all i needed to do was buy the shafts and some new brakes and i was ready to go. instalation wasnt bad and in the end it only cost me about $1500 which seems rather low from what i hear everyone else paying. just a suggestion tho it all depends on what your lookin for