Its out of a 95 so no vac disconnect but it does have the smaller u joints. My 2000 has the larger joints so I'll be swapping the axle shafts between the two.

I did about an hour of work on my axles today. I got them off of my trailer and onto jack stands in my garage. I started cutting off and trying to break loose all of the bolts on the axles and to my amazement they all broke loose and came right out. I was even able to save the factory leaf spring perches which will save me $30.

Attachment 314670

Attachment 314671

looking forward to how this turns out. i may build a dd xj like this in the future after my current one gets a 5.3

I am getting really impatient, I am ready for it to be running. I have all the wiring for the motor figured out. I just need to get it into the jeep and integrate it into the Jeeps harness. I also put an order in with Rock Auto for all the brake parts I needed for the 8.8 and a new upper bushing for the front axle. I plan to use all the good parts off of my current LP D30 to swap over onto the new one.

Well I had to go back to my local junkyard today that still had their 50% off deal going on. My budget for the Jeep originally was $1500. I only planned on replacing what I figured was just a cracked 0331 head, replace some fluids and just drive it. Well as of three days ago I have right at $5100 in the jeep so every dollar counts. As I was walking through the yard I thought to myself that they had to have everything I need to swap the 8.8 into my Jeep. Well I did find everything. I found the 8.8 1310 yoke, u bolt plates, and a driveshaft from the front of a grand cherokee. I only paid $30 for it all which is less than just the perches for the swap. I pulled the 8.8 flange from an early 90's ranger, I found the D shaft laying in the bed with the adapter on it. I pulled out a 10mm impact spocket and pounded out the u joint and took my flange. I also pulled the u bolt plates off of a newer ranger with a 4.0 motor that had an 8.8, these flanges are 3/16" thick maybe thicker and I feel they are more than sufficient for my intended use. The drive shaft I found will have to be lengthened for my use since I'll be moving the motor and tranny 4" forward but its cheaper to have one lengthened than have one built.

I paid the following for the parts.
1310 adapter $4.99
2 u bolt plates $9.99
Drive shaft $9.99
I had to pay a $1.50 core on the yoke and after tax it around $30.

I was planning on buying the same parts from Iron Rock and having them shipped with my Long Arm kit. The additional parts were around $120. so a savings of $100 was well worth it to me.


Attachment 314661

subscribed !!! love the diesel

I probably shouldn't drink and think about my Cherokee with paypal up. I just ordered a set of HD offroad Shackle relocators. As of that purchase I have 5444.xx in the entire jeep. I bought it with the intentions of just swapping in the 0331 head out and running it how it was with a $1500 max budget. Im glad my wife hasnt shot me yet.

Sounds like you prob dug your hole a little too deep..

As soon as its done an running reliably (which I hope is less than a month away) it will become my DD and my 2010 Jetta TDI will be sold so it will be nice to have a vehicle I built and no payment so its all good so far. I have all the big parts, only a few purchases over $100 left other than new 33" tires. I plan to go with General Grabber AT2s since it will mainly be street driven and they can be had for $600 a set new.

Yeah, thats what i did with mine. Sold my gas saver and am building my jeep. And ive read a lot on the 33" generals and theyve yet to turn me away. when i get 33's itll probably be the grabbers.

Yea they should do what I need them to do and give me a little better fuel economy than the Cooper STTs I usually run.

Well I got some more pieces to the puzzle today. I received my Rough Country tracbar, all my 8.8 brake parts, and my flywheel. My clutch was supposed to be here today but the people sent it requiring a signature. Not sure who doesn't work now I have to drive 30 plus minutes to pick it up since no one will be home during there 8 hour time frame of delivery.

Attachment 314574

My lift kit and motor mounts should be here no later than Wednesday of next week. If so I will hopefully have the lift, axles, motor, and tranny in next weekend.

I also found and ordered a clutch/brake assembly out of a 98 Cherokee today, it set me back $100...

Well some more pieces came in the mail today.

Attachment 314568

I am at a stand still until the following come in:

IRO 4" lift
HD Shackle Relocators
Clutch Pedal
Motor mounts

I really hope all of this come in next week. If so I will be in the garage after work on Saturday until I go back to work Tuesday. I really want to get the lift in, the motor and trans in also. Once I start to put the lift in I will be finish all the new brake lines as well.