8.8 Swap

Macdaddy4738

Macdaddy4738

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
In to a 98 4 Banger TJ...

How much would I need to set aside to tackle a project like this? What about having a shop do the various modifications necessary to get the axle under my jeep..how much do you think that'd run?

What size tire can I safely run on the D30/8.8 combo?

Thanks!
 
Most likely the front axle will be the limiting factor. If you wheel it hard core 33" tires are a good limit. If you wheel like you have a little sense 35" tires are OK. That's just my opinion YMMV. I have a friend that runs 35" Krawlers on that axle combo and the 4 popper. It has held up well so far. Its no fun to drive on the highway but does OK off road.

<><Fish
 
I wheel like a retard on that setup on 36"SXs. Only the front shafts break and only when the front end comes off the ground and you don't come off the gas. Figure about a cool 1K to get the axle under the jeep if you need to regear at the same time. That's not including the SYE/CV that you will need with the 8.8. Oh yeah, don't to forget to include some adjustable UCAs. If you can read and weld, you can save yourself a ton of money over having someone else do it. I payed for my first 8.8. After realizing it isn't rocket surgery and saw the mistakes made on it, I've done one/assisted on several more that are still going fine.
 
I built a rear bumper and tire carrier for my jeep and in my opinion the rear end swap was easier. And it has lasted longer. haha
 
Macdaddy4738 said:
In to a 98 4 Banger TJ...
How much would I need to set aside to tackle a project like this? What about having a shop do the various modifications necessary to get the axle under my jeep..how much do you think that'd run?
What size tire can I safely run on the D30/8.8 combo?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Mine was right around $1000, and the welding was done by a friend. I run 36" swampers and alloy shafts in the dana 30.
8.8 $175
Aussie $259
New rotors & pads $100.31
Brackets $329.98
ZJ E-brake cables from dealer about $50
 
35s are a good limit for the 30. 8.8 is supposed to be stronger than a 44 so i think 35's are good. im doin a 8.8 swap right now. i didnt wanna mess with the coils anymore so im putting xj rears springs. should be more cost effective.if you plan on re-gearing do it when its out. i learned the hard way
 
Go here and read this, It will give you an Idea of what is needed to do this, It is not that bad to do your self, I did mine for right at $600, Got the 8.8 for $200, Paid $150 to have brackets and and tubes welded, and the rest was getting brakes and and so on. I run 35's on my 30/8.8 combo, But I carry extra D30 shafts
http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/8.8axle/8.8axle-1.htm
 

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Macdaddy4738 said:
How much would I need to set aside to tackle a project like this? What about having a shop do the various modifications necessary to get the axle under my jeep..how much do you think that'd run?
Click to expand...

I'm getting an 8.8 this week. They are running $350-400 in the yards up here. I would say in the $500 range to shop work but I'm doing my own :)

Macdaddy4738 said:
What size tire can I safely run on the D30/8.8 combo?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I ran 35"s on a D30/8.8 combo for quite awhile several years ago. Held up to all the stuff at URE, Tellico, Windrock, Callalantee but I really don't bang my rig too much. I did finally pop a ujoint at Jellico but that's the only issue I had in 2 years with that combo.
 
I assume you are locking it?

Axle: $250 to $400
Gears: $100
Install kit: $70
Locker: $800 (ARB or Ox)
Locker/Gear install: $350 (unless you have a hookup)
TJ Brackets for 8.8: $250
Welding labor for brackets: $200 (unless you have a hookup)
Axle swap labor: $250 to $350 I would imagine

Total: $2270 to $2520

That is assuming you do zero work yourself and you go with a selectable locker.

If you have a friend who can weld, another who can do a gear swap, and you do the actual axle swap you could do it for $1470 to $1620.

You could always throw in a detroit and save another $300 or so instead of having a selectable locker.
 
REDLYNER said:
I assume you are locking it?
Axle: $250 to $400
Gears: $100
Install kit: $70
Locker: $800 (ARB or Ox)
Locker/Gear install: $350 (unless you have a hookup)
TJ Brackets for 8.8: $250
Welding labor for brackets: $200 (unless you have a hookup)
Axle swap labor: $250 to $350 I would imagine
Total: $2270 to $2520
That is assuming you do zero work yourself and you go with a selectable locker.
If you have a friend who can weld, another who can do a gear swap, and you do the actual axle swap you could do it for $1470 to $1620.
You could always throw in a detroit and save another $300 or so instead of having a selectable locker.
Click to expand...
damm dude sounds like u are getting a good deal on parts but bent over on labor.
 
I didn't buy it. Just did a lot of research when I was looking to upgrade and those were the ballpark prices I was being quoted.

I ended up with a Super 35 kit, 4.10's, and an Ox locker for dirt cheap. I wheel on 35"s almost every other weekend, but am not crazy with the throttle so the axles have held up fine.

Also- those were shop labor costs. I had my gears set by a friend for $75 and my axle swapped for a six pack of Coors Original.
 
93 YJ with 99 8.8

I put a 8.8 from a 99 exploder.
Got the complete kit from MORE or mounting, yoke, e-brake adapters.
$450 for the axle less calipers and rotor which I had to get.
Labor cost was a case of Guinness and a bottle of wine.
Probably $1000. Less than what it would cost just to replace the diff and gears in my blown up D35.
Later, when the clutch in the factor LS weakened too much I popped in a Power-Trax locker.
And if you really want to go balls out, Superior makes the "Super88" kit that widens the F88 to the same width as the D35 and converts to a semi-float and removes c-clips.

You can beef up the front D30 with a chromo 4350 axle shaft kit from several sources. I got a set for $450 after the vacuum seal rusted through rather than paying $225 for a cable actuator kit.
 
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