Rear-end ?

SPOA87YJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Location
Charlotte
Searched and didn't really find anything. I'm considering a swap in the not so distant future to get rid of that time bomb under my YJ. I've been sent towards the 8.8 by numerous people which is what I'm thinking about running(never heard bad things b4). How much of a difference is there between the 8.8 and the 9. I guess what I'm saying is what are some of the advantages/disadvantages of each axle? Seems to me if your gonna swap an 8.8 y not go ahead and go 9" while everything is out? Mainly troubleshooting here just looking for some input.
 
I think the main reason is to keep the 5 on4.5 bolt pattern of your wheels.
 
9er's are full width. that may look funny with a stock width D30 front and a 65" rear 9er. 8.8's are a good step about the dana turdy5 but not as good as a 9".
 
Hey! Im putting in the 9 with the D30 front, its not goin to look to funny..it might even look good

maybe
 
yea but can't you cut them down? Ive seen someone running one under a CJ with a D30 up front....


Edit: I know youd have to cut the shafter down and respline and all that jazz but if someone wanted to go through all that its possible right?
 
yea you could chop it down i guess but still a 9" rear and a 30 front aren't really matched strengthwise. Plus IMO the extra width of full size axles is one of the better benefits.
 
I hear ya...not only did I learn a little, but when the time comes I know the 8.8 is what I'll be after.
 
the shafts are similar in strength if you get a 31 spline 9" and a late model 8.8, and after you replace the carrier in the 8.8, it's a pretty strong unit, except for the paper towel roll axle tubes.. :p
 
I'm guessing you've seen fsome first-hand tradgedy or something of that nature? Never heard of them having weak tubes..I guess you learn something new everyday......my reason for being here. Thanks Rich
 
Rob's anti-wrap bar tore his tube, and any axle where you hear of the tubes crushing when you crank down on the u-bolts is weak IMO.

That said, every axle has their ups and downs. The 8.8 is great because it's the right width, right spline count, right bolt pattern, and you can get discs in the rear and have an e-brake too.
 
There is something about a 9 being able to get discs and an Ebrake for the ford axle, possibly on Naxja.org
 
what about a 9" out of an eb??? dont know too much about them, but it seems like it would be close to the right width and have the same bolt pattern? just thinking out loud as im not too familiar w/ swaps for jeeps
 
9" EB is too narrow - about 55" WMS
Wrong bolt pattern - 5x5.5
Not factory disc brake

and I guess you know, but since nobody has said it yet.
Very low pinion. Not the best option for a SWB Jeep.

There are also different housings for the 9" and I can't remember which is which but some of them are a bit weak too.

If I were going to go to the work of MAKING something fit, (Narrowing, moding etc) I would not go with a 9" in a YJ.

To answer the original question.
Yes you can, but WHY, when there are other better options.
 
Dayum.. tubes crushing when cranking down the u-bolts. Thats just no good. However, I think the 8.8 would be a good fit for me esp. bc I'm starting out. You guys put your rigs through things I only hope to do. One day I'll be there though and the 8.8 would just help me get one step closer. I'd be able to lock it and beat my rig even harder. :huggy: Plus I could handle that install myself so thats another plus in my opinion. :D
 
I don't know which years Ford used these thin tubes on the 8.8. I have an 8.8 with the MORE u-bolts with 120ftlbs at least. There must be a few years to stay away from. I have aways liked the high pinion stuff for the Ford 9 (TrueHi9, Currie) but its around $1100-1300 for the 3rd member.
 
Currie's HP9 is not a true 9". It's an 8.8. ;)
 
SPOA87YJ said:
Dayum.. tubes crushing when cranking down the u-bolts. Thats just no good. However, I think the 8.8 would be a good fit for me esp. bc I'm starting out. You guys put your rigs through things I only hope to do. One day I'll be there though and the 8.8 would just help me get one step closer. I'd be able to lock it and beat my rig even harder. :huggy: Plus I could handle that install myself so thats another plus in my opinion. :D

Just don't crank the U bolts down, build a wrap bar that doesn't stress one side only then beat the hell out it.
 
What Gofer said, there are better designs for an anti-wrap bar then what I was using, also you can get some leaf springs from alcan with a torque wrap in them, should eliminate the need for an anti-wrap bar. I saw a set of these on Yager's YJ hillbilly jeep and it worked very well.
 
Rob what kind of design were you using exactly. Was it way far out on the tube and it just placed to much stress on one side like gofer said? Anyone have any pics of their designs?
 
Pretty much, yeah, drivers side, on the tube, about 3-4" from the pumpkin. It should be said that I beat on it for 4 years before it ripped, and the upper part of the weld was porous. (ie bad weld) the lower part was great, that's why there's a chunk out of the tube. But with that design, my pass. side leafs would always get a negative arch. Gofer has a good design on his. Comes off the pumpkin and a truss.
 
well 4 years worth ain't so bad. Did you reweld it or upgrade to a different axle? Yea one of my perches gave way the other day due to some crappy welds, but its since been fixed. Yea I've seen gofer's TJ once or twice back in town, its sick. Is he running his truss off the tubes over the pumpkin, or is it tied into the pumpkin at all?
 
I had my traction link bracket welded as close to the center as I could and still leaving myself room to weld. Welded it inside and out of each piece. Never had a problem with the tubes ripping w/ 37s. But after repeatedly beating on it, I spun the housing, should've welded the tubes. When it spun, the traction link held the drivers tube, everything else went up and it bent the drivers tube where it went into the center. That and the lockrite wore the teeth after about 2 yrs of abuse.
 
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