i know where to get an 8.8 rear end from and have found several just wnated to know besides relocating the shock mounts if there is anything else i have to do to get it to fit? i am getting one with drums so i don't have to worry about break lines or upgrading the brake booster

 

leaf spring mounts, and ubolts, you need a yoke adapter to fit the drive line also.

if you had one with disc's you dont have to worry about brake lines or brake booster. it still works the same. tell me you got a 31 spline 8.8, right?

 

I thought the 8.8s with drums were all 28 spline I could be wrong though.

 

try finding one with disk brakes, 4.10s, limited slip, and 31 splines. you'll be getting the best bang for you buck. but like what was already said, you'll need to weld on spring perches and shock mounts, and get a flange adapter to fit your drive shaft. while you're at it you'll want to weld the axle tubes too.

 

i haven't purchased the axle yet just found a few localy. so the ones with disc brakes are better and where can i get this flang adapter for the drive line?

 

disc brakes are much better then drum. drums fill with mud and stopping is hard once that happens. i do know disc 8.8 are 31 splines. pretty sure some drum 8.8 are 31splines also. could be wrong though. i bought my adapter at napa

 

so is this a relativly easy swap or am i getting in over my head?

 

what gears are in your front axle? front and rear gears need to match. do you know how to weld?

 

my axels are stock so i think they are 4.10 in the front and i know a few buddies that know how to weld

 

if you have an auto you have 3.55's if you have a manual you have 3.07's in your axles now.

Grab the 8.8 with disks and the ratio that you want, put it on jack stands clean it up real good, weld on the parts you need and paint it while you wait to get a matching gear set for the front. Then once you have the matching gear set throw it in!

 

Well, depending on how nice your friends are you should be ok.

To get the 8.8 under your jeep, you will need to cut off the old shock mounts/spring perches off of the 8.8. You then need to grind the tubes smooth; be careful not to cut through them. You can use the old spring tabs from your 8.25 or D35 if you can cut them off cleanly. For the spring perches, you can go to your local Mopar dealer and order a set of 3'' spring perches for less than $20. These will need to be opened up a hair for the 3.25'' axle. A Campbell's soup can is a good tool to measure with here.

You need to transfer all of your old angles to your new axle, unless you are going to adjust for a lift. Measure, measure, measure, and measure again the places where you need to weld. Burn those tabs and perches on. Also, weld the tubes where they connect to the housing. This can be done easily with a high-nickel rod.

For the emergency brakes, you can reuse your old brake lines with the disc models if you cut about half of the spring off, and wrap the brake line around a 1/8'' stainless wire rope thimble. Use a corresponding wire rope clamp. The old emergency brake lines will then work fine.

As far as the main brake lines, GRAB ALL OF THE EXPLORER LINES! You can reuse the explorer line all the way up to the point where it connects at the frame. This will save you a ton of time.

The disc brake models are all 31 spline, while the majority of the drum brake models are 28 spline. The disc are therefore preferable. However, there is a split year (96?) that has drum brake 31 splines.

Any other questions, feel free to ask. I just finished this swap a few months ago.

 

Good post for this info, been thinking about the swap if I could locate an 8.8 with the 4.10 ratio.

 

good and another note is if you plan on adding a locker get the open diff because the limited slip carrier is different and cannot be used with a locker.

here are some axle codes.

you want to get the 42 axle.... NOT the 4L10 or D2
the L is for Limited slip and the carrier is different and wont hold a lunch box locker.

Specs:
Code Capacity Ratio
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73
L - Limited Slip Differential
C - Conventional Differential