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8.8 - D30 Combo Questions and links

2K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  robs88yj 
#1 ·
Ok...I've researched pretty heavily and I know that some will say just spend $5k + and do some D60's.

My YJ has a 350/700R4 in it but I'm not out rock crawling, the D35 has lived 10 years behind the SBC..that should tell you something. I've owned this less than 2 years and I'm not too hip at busting the 35 out in the middle of nowhere. So... time to upgrade.

Right now I have 3.55 gears as it was originally a 4.0/auto. I have 33/12.5/15 BFG AT's a 2" body lift and a 2" Superlift suspension. I have a PosiLok kit on the D30 to eliminate the vacuum module.

I'm thinking about this:

1. Buy an 8.8 with 3.55 and limited slip, I've been finding complete units for 250-350. Buy the MORE kit, costs about 220 right now with the ebrake kit included. I like the Tom Woods SYE kit, looks like it will set me back about $400 with CV driveshaft. The SYE is a must have as the 8.8 is offset about 2" farther to the passenger side and the driveshaft is short enough as is. So, about $1000 and I'm rolling.

2. I may do this immediately or down the road. Go to 4.10's and lockers front and rear. This will dictate a new carrier up front, might as well do the D30 alloy one piece axles in the D30. Ooops.. just spent another $2-2500.00.

Obviously the 8.8 keeps the same 5x4.5 bolt pattern for my new rock crawler wheels and has been tested to surpass the D44.

I've found some great links for the 8.8 conversion I thought I'd share here as well:

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html

http://members.cox.net/rough-riders/tech_page/ford8.8/ford8_8.html

http://www.madois.com/html/tech/ford88.html

MORE 8.8 Kits: http://www.mountainoffroad.com/catalog/Mounting Hardware-Axle/Mounting Hardware.htm

MORE home: http://www.mountainoffroad.com

Tom Woods: http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html

I've got several other projects I'm working on and I just can't drop $5k on axles right now but I'm going to do something that will eliminate the D35 weak point in my rig.

Thoughts?
 
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#4 ·
I know it has drums and I think 3.55's. My buddy set it up for him as far as the brackets. Also he is throwing in the wheel adapters to make it 5x5.5 if interested. You can call him at (956)245-3359 ask for Cesar.
 
#5 ·
I'm not a jeep guy so the 30 and 35 doesn't mean nothing to me. Just thought I would let you know you can find a 14 ff for about $150-200.00 all day long in most junk yards and have them geared for about another $400 with parts and labor if you can't do it. You can pick up a D60 for about $1300 and put upgraded axles and gears for about another $700-800. Just a fe weeks ago there was someone on here selling d60/14ff combo for I think $2000.00 with 4.11 I beleive. Just trying to give you more info just you don't regret not doing it later. Goodluck with your choice. jamminzz J20m715 has a 14ff/60 with 4.56 and detroit in 14ff for $2000.00 Right now for sale. If interested.
 
#6 ·
honestly the dana 60 and 14bolt is the best bet, but I think that you can do that set up for cheaper than that. 14 bolt runs about 50 to 100 with 4:10 gears, the only one that will cost is the dana 60 which runs about 800 to a grand. set them up with 2 or 2 1/2 spring over set up and even run about 35's or bigger. either way, I know that I wasted alot of money on little axles that didn't perform nowhere near the perfomance of stock 1 tons. muddslinger is right to go with the 1 tons. well worth it!!
 
#8 ·
NO!!!!!!!! We don't have to live with or pay for it.bigok I spent $1000.00's more on my rig doing little mods then finally going to 1 tons and now 2.5tons. Would have saved ALOT of money doing right the first time!!! Just giving you more info for you to make an educated decision. Goodluck with whatever you do.jamminzz
 
#10 ·
There are ALOT of jeep guys you can sell them too.....LOL You probly have to change the location of the spring perches and shock mounts and maybe the u-joints and of course the wheels. Pm Dirty ole man........he had a jeep with 1 tons he just sold. or pm JDKING. Both guys are real nice and helpful. Or guys like RiverRat or any one else here with a jeep. Most of hem have 1 tons.
 
#11 ·
I've got 1 tons too, look thru blue torchfab.com, they got relocation bumpers front and rear. in order to do it right you have to have a little fabrication skills,such as welding, grinding, and alittle knowlegde of how your suspension is going to work. check out that site, you'll like what you see. take notes how they put things together. you will save alot of money if you do it right the first time. like I said before, I also spent alot of money on upgrading little axles, and it was a waste of money. good luck on your build up!
 
#12 ·
one tons are awesome but just incase you want a littil cheaper route to go im selling a d44f and 12blt rear w/4.56 gears detroit ez locker up front and posi in the rear, front also has warn premium hubs! ill take $600. thats the route i would go if your not running 1 tons but if you are going to build anything i agree go with 1 tons. its pass. drop. beer
 
#13 ·
YJ is a driver drop. I'm not too hip on swapping out my 231 as it's attached to a 700R4.

Anyway...right now I'd love to buy an 8.8 LSD 3.55 and just bolt it in and go. That will give me some time to work on some D60's or whatever...

I'm really just wanting to enjoy my Jeep this year. I'm fighting some TPI issues but hope to have that resolved next week. The engine is leaking here an there but still runs ok... yet I have a feeling I'll be removing the front end next winter and pulling the engine for a rebuild. Maybe then I'll drop some cash on axles.
 
#14 ·
The cheapest way to find an 8.8 is to go to www.car-part.com and do a search for a 96 Exploder rear end. Then pick your desired ratio. High-way auto parts in Brownwood seems to have the best price around. I ran an 8.8 in mine for 2.5 years and only sold it cause i worked out a good deal. Now I am putting 1 tons in and when you are up at the ranch give me a holler and yyou can check out what it takes to do the swap. I personally loved the 8.8 had great brakes would stop 36" tires on a dime. Never gave me any problems even though it was lincoln locked and the swap is extremely easy. That being said 1 tons are awesome, extra width, the chance to extend the wheel base during the swap, but it cost a whole lot more to do and do it correctly. I figure when I swapped in the 8.8 I spent ~$600 to do the swap and that was with me and a couple of buddies doing the work. That includes the axle, gears, bracket kit.
 
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