|
|
Post by jpcamb on Dec 8, 2009 16:04:52 GMT -5
So i'm not looking for an argument on dana 44 vs a ford explorer 8.8, I need to eventually upgrade my stock axles and am curious about the cost of doing an 8.8 upgrade. I know the axle itself is in the 100-200 range or so but I've seen on the jeep forum and elsewhere the cost of going to an 8.8 is about 1500 bucks. So where does the cost come in? new perches are not too much $$ is it re-gearing or what? Just curious as Im weighing the options for off season upgrades...
thanks
Jeff
|
|
|
|
Post by mexgrizzly on Dec 8, 2009 16:25:41 GMT -5
What rig is it going into YJ, TJ, XJ? What gear ratio do you want to have in the end?
|
|
|
|
Post by jpcamb on Dec 8, 2009 16:29:32 GMT -5
97 TJ and not sure on gearing. dont see myself going beyond 35" tires, have an i6.... have a 5 speed manual transmission and am open to suggestions dont want it to be a dog on the highway and its not a DD. what would be good gearing for this. I believe I have stock gearing for sport model at the moment but haven't popped the diff to check it out yet. Right now Im running 33" Super swampers and the heep seems a bit fast in 4low for ideling down the trail over rocks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Captian Carnage on Dec 8, 2009 18:01:46 GMT -5
My TJ with buying 1/4 thick brackets welding on the brackets and re gearing + detroit locker my 8.8 had 40 k on it cost me $350 total was $1350 That was having a inexpensive welder+ machanic that was the best up grade I done so far
I have a 4L in mine and it handles 36s with no issues that is with a HPd 30 in front
|
|
|
|
Post by Paul T on Dec 8, 2009 18:04:40 GMT -5
Stock gears, 4.0, 5 speed and a dana 35, you probably have 3.07 gears.
Check hollands Used auto parts in billerica, when i was up there before the all you can carry sale they had a couple 4 cylinder tjs and xjs (4.10 gears) and a ton of Explorers. you could probably find at least matching 3.55s if not 4.10s
|
|
|
|
Post by DOUG® on Dec 9, 2009 7:16:30 GMT -5
I have an 8.8 with 4:10s (open carrier) I'll sell you cheap. The housing has all Ford brackets removed already. $100.00
I also have a matched pair of Dana 44s from a narrow track Waggy. (not sure what gear) Front is a drivers side drop, which is what your TJ has, flat top knuckles too. $200.00 for the pair.
|
|
|
|
Post by ddewar53 on Dec 9, 2009 8:46:34 GMT -5
I went with an 8.8 out of an explorer in my YJ, for a total cost of < $600. Only downside I can think of is that the pumpkin is so big it drags on everything. Other than that, I'm happy with it. It's about the only major component on my jeep that I never worry about breaking.
|
|
|
|
Post by jpcamb on Dec 9, 2009 9:12:38 GMT -5
I have an 8.8 with 4:10s (open carrier) I'll sell you cheap. The housing has all Ford brackets removed already. $100.00 I also have a matched pair of Dana 44s from a narrow track Waggy. (not sure what gear) Front is a drivers side drop, which is what your TJ has, flat top knuckles too. $200.00 for the pair. Would these be bolt in for a TJ or require some welding for the rear perches? I can defiantely live without a 8.8 and thats a great price. |
|
|
|
Post by Jon W on Dec 9, 2009 13:00:03 GMT -5
Jeff -- The main cost will be in setting up the axle perches for a TJ -- the geometry has to be right and they have to be welded on, assuming you don't find a TJ axle. An additional cost would be re-gearing either front or rear as needed to get the axles to match. It is quite possible to source a new axle for the front to match the new rear end, which may (probably will) be a lot cheaper than re-gearing it (assuming you aren't going to do a locker anyway). The cost breakdown will be something like this: Cost of rear axle Cost of rear brackets for TJ (assumes a non-TJ axle) Cost of labor to remove old brackets (this you may be able to do yourself), install new brackets properly Cost of labor to remove / install new axle (probably free, but maybe lunch for the helpers  ) Cost of suspension alignment Before trying to do a junk yard build I'd spend a little time searching around for a set of axles ready to bolt in -- people have them for sale. Check different forums (NEOW's forum is really good -- post in the wanted sections!), craigs list, e-bay, etc... to get a handle on pricing and availability. FWIW - In the latest JP in the tech section there was a question about D35/Super D35/Ford 8.8/D44 axle strength... The tech editor response stated the Ford is weaker than the D44 and less desirable because of C-clip axles...(I expect others will disagree -- I'm just the messenger repeating what I read!) JW |
|
|
|
Post by jpcamb on Dec 9, 2009 14:56:43 GMT -5
Before trying to do a junk yard build I'd spend a little time searching around for a set of axles ready to bolt in -- people have them for sale. Check different forums (NEOW's forum is really good -- post in the wanted sections!), craigs list, e-bay, etc... to get a handle on pricing and availability. FWIW - In the latest JP in the tech section there was a question about D35/Super D35/Ford 8.8/D44 axle strength... The tech editor response stated the Ford is weaker than the D44 and less desirable because of C-clip axles...(I expect others will disagree -- I'm just the messenger repeating what I read!) JW thanks Jon, -yeah I was pretty suprised seeing that in JP, I had read that last january they said the 8.8 was much stronger. Ive been watching Craigslist for a pair of TJ 44s and havent seen any in a while. I saw a posting for an 8.8 that was real reasonable but want an idea of what the addl cost is before jumping on it... also id like to get you your axles back someday..  |
|
|
|
Post by mexgrizzly on Dec 9, 2009 15:52:59 GMT -5
There are a few different routes that you can take:
If you are on a budget or know you will be fine with 4.10's, I would find and 4.10 8.8 and D30 from a junkyard. Have the brackets welded on the 8.8 and wheel it. I suspect you could do this for around $1000 for parts and labor for the 8.8 bracketry only. Add a lunchbox locker now or later. BTW, I am very happy with 4.10's and 33's for highway and wheeling but I have a 4:1 t-case. You can find 4.10 8.8's in junkyards but you the factory never made TJ D44's except for the rubicon. If you know you want to go to 4.56 or something this method is a band-aid and only temporary.
If you know you want selectable (full carrier) lockers or a ratio numerically greater than 4.10 in both axles don't waste time swapping the front D30, just have it regeared and locked as you wish. In this case I might look for a D44 from a TJ so you have factory bracketry. Regear and install locker as desired. I think you will be $4000-5000 for this option assuming you pay someone to do the ring and pinion work.
These are my opinions, others will have other opinions/suggestions. Try to look out a little bit with your build plans but not too far that you don't do anything. To me if you do a mod, run it for a few years, and then upgrade again that is OK as long as the cost is reasonable.
-Andy
|
|
|
|
Post by DOUG® on Dec 9, 2009 18:30:02 GMT -5
I have an 8.8 with 4:10s (open carrier) I'll sell you cheap. The housing has all Ford brackets removed already. $100.00 I also have a matched pair of Dana 44s from a narrow track Waggy. (not sure what gear) Front is a drivers side drop, which is what your TJ has, flat top knuckles too. $200.00 for the pair. Would these be bolt in for a TJ or require some welding for the rear perches? I can defiantely live without a 8.8 and thats a great price. You would need to puchase TJ brackets and have them welded on. |
|
|
|
Post by Captian Carnage on Dec 10, 2009 15:40:09 GMT -5
My brackets were $275 from RE 1/4 in thick in 1 1/2 years I broke off a shock mount I hit a rock hard that Then I moved them even with the axle and 3/16 steel over the bottom of bracket for a skid pad
|
|
|
|
Post by jpcamb on Dec 11, 2009 17:02:13 GMT -5
I have an 8.8 with 4:10s (open carrier) I'll sell you cheap. The housing has all Ford brackets removed already. $100.00 I also have a matched pair of Dana 44s from a narrow track Waggy. (not sure what gear) Front is a drivers side drop, which is what your TJ has, flat top knuckles too. $200.00 for the pair. I think I'll pass for now. dont have the $$ to install at the moment. Thinking late winter early spring for this project. Want to get my ducks in a row before i jump in with both feet and was curious how something that has a ticket price of a few hundred bucks morphs into over a grand now its making sense...  Thanks all! Jeff |
|
dips
Member
Posts: 23
|
Post by dips on Dec 13, 2009 13:37:15 GMT -5
its def worth putting one in if your going to do alot of wheeling
|
|
)
