i have an opprotunity to go from a 8.25 rear axle to a ford 8.8 everyone is saying do it, your crazy if you dont do it! what is the benefits of the swap? it is coming out of a 93XJ so it already set to fit a XJ. Thanks

Stronger and a ton of aftermarket support for the 8.8. I'd do it

Im working on moving to the 8.8 myself and have passed over 3 XJ D44's in the process. they are strong and get you thru most things while wheeling. look up the differences in axle shaft sizes and you will get the idea.

nvmd found my link http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/3586087780.html bout half way down it shows the axle shafts together with comparison.

stronger, possibly has disc brakes already, and maybe 4.10 gears and limited slip

Ok maybe I should do it. It supposedly came out of a explore, what is the ratio in the 8.8 and how does it match up with Dana 30 that's on the front?

It does have disc brakes, not sure about the rest. How can I tell what the gears are?

Look for the ratio stamped on the ring gear. If you don't see one then divide the number of teeth on the ring gear by the pinion gear teeth.

And for the record I have an 8.8 under my xj and love it. My only complaints were it's a little narrower and it's still a c clip axle but the c clip eliminator kits can take care of those issues.

Awesome I will have to check that out. So what ever gears are in the 8.8 is what I need to run up front in the Dana 30? Which means that I should just pull the Dana 30 out of the same jeep which is ok because I'm buying the whole thing.

yes front and rear gears have to be the same and you could swap the whole front axle to but still check to make shure they have the same gears cause u dont know if the po changed them and that way you no what gears u have.

Very true! I'm hoping I find a locker in there lol.

ya u might score big if it has lockers,sye, and custom drivshafts

Well it's got a 4"+ lift that is supposed to be a long arm not real sure what that means. It does have discos on the front I know. Im hoping it has the sye but I don know what to look for on that I have never dealt with suspension/drivetrain stuff much at all.

Speaking of driveshafts, be sure to get the pinion flange with the 8.8 so you can use your same driveshaft. It's just a flat plate in the shape of a circle with a yoke bolted to it on the pinion.

I'm getting the whole jeep so all that is there already I hope. Only thing wrong with the jeep is the motor is blown. But lots of after market parts.
8.8 rear
4"+ lift
Roof rack with 4 KC daylighters
Good tranny and transfer case
New shocks
4 bfg mud terrains with less than 300 mi on them
Hi lift jack

at 4"+ your lca's will be around 16" eye to eye and a long arm kit the lca's will be much longer and the uca's will be attached to the lca's instead of the body mounts. long arms are just better all around. i wish i could find a deal like u got it sounds great