From the sounds of it, you're gonna end up doing it anyway! If not now, at least buy all the parts and wait until you wear out the current meats.

I had to answer this one after there were 45 hits and no replys /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

John
95.5 YJ with "stuff"
94 GMC Z71 without "stuff"
http://SonsofThunder4x4.com

 

the ford 8.8 is a good swap but for that money why not find a 80's wagoneer with front and rear dana 44's? these wagoneers are plentiful and you can find the whole thing for less than $800. they came with the front pumkin on the drivers side which will match up to your yj and if you are spring under i believe it is a direct bolt in. you will have to move the spring pads in the rear though.

 

And if not the 44's as he says, at least a 44 front and 9" rear... much cheaper than an 8.8

A club member did it, and you can read how: http://www.tennessee4x4.com/trailrunners/tech-info.htm

 

Where can I find a ford 9"? Will I have to shorten it? Will it have the same bolt pattern ---5 on 41/2?
Isn't the ford 8.8 stronger than the dana 44? What wheel pattern does the d44 from the wagonneer have?
HOW MUCH can I expect to pay for one of the wagonner D44's and where do I find them? How much for a ford 9"??


John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

'79 Wagoneer here is $200 for front or rear. Might be able to get them for less. They are six lug

Can you fix it?
I got a welder and a grinder. Heck yeah I can fix it./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

 

Where can I find a ford 9"?

Almost any parts yard, your local dismantler, pick-n-pull, for sale ads, truck trader.... you name it, they are cheap and easy to find /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Will I have to shorten it?

That depends on how wide you want, and what vehicle you get it from...

Will it have the same bolt pattern ---5 on 41/2?

Most likely - no. The common pattern is 5 on 5.5", but can be re-drilled to your pattern...

Isn't the ford 8.8 stronger than the dana 44?

I don't think so... 44's are a pretty stout axle, especially the rear...

What wheel pattern does the d44 from the wagonneer have?

Most are 6 lug (Chevy, Toyota) pattern, but you can swap outer parts with Ford 5 on 5.5" rotors/hubs or re-drill the 6 lug parts...

HOW MUCH can I expect to pay for one of the wagonner D44's and where do I find them? How much for a ford 9"??

How much? that really depends on how bad you want it and what kind of deal you come across. You could pay literally pennies for either a rear 44 or a 9", or you could pay close to $700 or more for one with gears, locker, disc brakes, etc.

 

What do you recommend about the lug pattern? I don't want to buy new wheels.? Can you cheaply modify the axle to accept my lug pattern?

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

rims are rims. what is more important "your rims" or a set of strong axles? besides you can sell your rims and buy a set of rims just like your current ones to match the lug pattern of whichever axles you get.

 

I am with high5 on this one - rims are expendable /wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif

Get good axles and then worry about the rims... You can always find someone else to buy them, and get you some more.

That's kind of like saying since I have an old Pinto gas cap out back, I have to go buy a pinto to go with it /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

 

I did some looking at the local junk yard. No D44's from a wagoneer. they had some axles laying out there but I'm not familiar enough to just look at them and tell what they are. But they did have a ford 8.8 from an explorer. He wanted $750 for the axle--31 spline, 3.73 gears, posi, and disc brakes. He'd give me $350 for mine. So I'd have to pay $400, but I would have the correct bolt pattern, the correct width axle, I'd just have to put in 4.11 gears. Maybe the stock posi would work with those gears, if not-- in goes a locker-probably the powertrax no slip.
Thanks for all your suggestions--but I'd better stick with what seems easiest. Because I'm not familiar with how to redrill the D44 to fit my bolt pattern, or how to cut down an axle. I asked the local machine shop--they do not cut down axles, but they would re drill the holes. The closest 4x4 shop was in Memphis Tn, about 2 hours away. He had some D44's but wanted more than the junkyard 8.8. And his were not complete. They would need brakes and everything. He did run D44's in his CJ with a 350. So I guess they are plenty strong. Thanks again.

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

Man that sure sounds like a lot for an axle....
And I may not be correct about this, but check and make sure that 3.73 pisi carrier will work with 4.10 gears... Otherwise you will need a new carier & spiders (or a Detroit) which again adds to the cost...

Also, I can't believe I am saying this - but have you considered the Super 35 kit for your rear axle? That may just be the easiest way for you to get something that should hold up to your engine with least amount of hassle...

Good luck no matter which way you go /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

 

I can't believe you said that either, what were you thinking?

I'd check into the compatability as DRM mentioned, but I don't think $400 is a lot for an axle, especially one that will hold up.

I like the idea of running larger tires, I run the 33's now, but after the 350 swap I want to run 38's. For the wheeling I do and airing down, I don't think it'll be that much of a problem, but I'll borrow a set first to make sure it's what I want. I can't believe you haven't ruined the stock axles running a 350.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7"Lift/33"TSL's/IHC D44's 4.10's Lock'd

 

I forgot about the super 35 upgrade with the detroit. I was really wanting to try the new no-slip by powertrax though. From what I've read it seems to be a lot quieter than the detroit. How much does the super 35 upgrade cost? Has anyone done it?
I'm very surprised that it sounds like a lot of money for an axle? $400 with my swap? I thought that was pretty cheap. But I've not messed with axles before. Other than just seeing the high prices in mag's for currie, dynatrac, etc. If I buy the upgrade I'm sure it is around $1000 plus labor. If I buy the 8.8 for $400, I'll still need a locker and gears. That will be another $500-$600 probably plus labor. So I don't know which way would be better?????


John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

I really don't know all that much about the Super 35 kit, but I am getting the idea that if your 35 has held up behind your 350 so far, it may just work for you /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

Did you read the linked article I posted about a friend putting a rear 9" in his YJ? He paid $100 for the axle, and you already said the local shop would re-drill the flanges... Add gears and a Detroit and you are STILL under $1000.

 

Where did he get the 9"?

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

Now that I'm worried about the stock rear -- what about my D30 up front? Will it hold up? The other day I was climbing a sandy hill--- the front tire starting digging a deep rut and the front tires started shaking back and forth and I wasn't turning the wheel. So I know a lot of force was going on up there. I have an ez locker in the front. I let off of it shortly after seeing that side to side motion. But has anyone had problems with the d30 ?

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

A local Junkyard... Manchester TN I think...

 

Who did you talk to in Memphis? If you talked to John Walls you might want to try Adventure 4x4. I have talked to many people who say John Walls is a crook, one was a cop. Gary at Adventure 4x4 is a great guy and he might have a better deal.

Ed

I live, I breath, I Jeep

 

I've heard that about John Walls, but I've had nothing but good luck with John Walls. He has always gave me great service --decent price. He put on my lift, shackle reversal, welded up a broken spring perch, rewelded them to correct my driveline angles, and replaced a pin in my spring pack. He can be a smart@#$ at times, but that's just how he is. I think you have to be knowledgeable of what you want and what it should cost before you go in. I've often compared his prices with Adventure 4x4 and he has always beat them. That's why I've let him do so much of the work.

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

What article are you talking about with the 9"???

John
89YJ-350V8,etc.

 

See here: http://www.tennessee4x4.com/trailrunners/tech-info.htm /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif