Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

8.25 vs 8.8 clearance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-23-2015, 11:23 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
harken's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default 8.25 vs 8.8 clearance

Anyone know the difference in clearance between the corp 8.25 and a ford 8.8. Interested in center of axle shaft to bottom of diff measurement. Lots of comments regarding the 8.8 digging trenches, others say there is only about 1/2" difference.
Old 02-24-2015, 08:13 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 6,098
Received 247 Likes on 206 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by harken
Anyone know the difference in clearance between the corp 8.25 and a ford 8.8. Interested in center of axle shaft to bottom of diff measurement. Lots of comments regarding the 8.8 digging trenches, others say there is only about 1/2" difference.
From what I've been told, even on 33s you will be digging the 8.8 into the ground offroad. Could always build a 8.25 and shave it for more strength and ground clearance.
Old 02-24-2015, 08:50 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
XJlimitedx99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Andover, VT
Posts: 2,973
Received 229 Likes on 178 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

I just did a search on this and determined that this is not as common info as I expected it to be.
Old 02-24-2015, 09:22 AM
  #4  
Member
 
XJmember's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
From what I've been told, even on 33s you will be digging the 8.8 into the ground offroad. Could always build a 8.25 and shave it for more strength and ground clearance.
This ^^ the 29 spline 8.25 is great for 33's, throw some cromo shafts in there and have at it. The 8.8 does hang down noticeably more, don't got measurements as mine is sitting in the backyard in a few feet of snow haha.
Old 02-24-2015, 09:42 AM
  #5  
Newbie
 
CEScuzzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Default

Originally Posted by harken
Anyone know the difference in clearance between the corp 8.25 and a ford 8.8. Interested in center of axle shaft to bottom of diff measurement. Lots of comments regarding the 8.8 digging trenches, others say there is only about 1/2" difference.
I don't have a value for the 8.8, but you can find a lot of axle measurements here:

http://www.jeep-owner.com/index.php/topic,639.0.html

The 8.25 measurements are here on the last post:

http://www.jeep-owner.com/index.php/....html#msg21501

-Scuzz
Old 02-24-2015, 09:54 PM
  #6  
Member
 
vank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Denver
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

As best as I could measure, on my Ford 8.8, the distance from the center of my axle tube to the bottom of my crane diff cover is 5.75 inches. I used a large caliper to mark the center of the tube then threw a level under the pumpkin so I had a straight line to measure to. Measured from the mark on the center of the axle to the top of the level so should be fairly accurate. I have not done any shaving.
Old 02-25-2015, 12:33 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by XJmember
This ^^ the 29 spline 8.25 is great for 33's, throw some cromo shafts in there and have at it. The 8.8 does hang down noticeably more, don't got measurements as mine is sitting in the backyard in a few feet of snow haha.

Stock 29 spline axle are fine no need for aftermarket axles 95% of the time even with 35's at 10 psi 4.56's locked.
Old 02-25-2015, 01:32 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Atmos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

the correct answer is; shave it!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...nks-stuff.html
Old 02-25-2015, 03:31 PM
  #9  
Member
 
vank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Denver
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
Stock 29 spline axle are fine no need for aftermarket axles 95% of the time even with 35's at 10 psi 4.56's locked.
Yeah and that other 5% of the time it sucks and you find yourself cursing the day you bought the jeep (ask me how I know). Get a 31 spline out of a 95 and newer ford explorer and you get disc brakes and an LSD too. I spent 500 on mine already set up and ready to bolt in. Cheap insurance. By the time you build a 8.25 with chromos, gears, and discs you're approaching that anyway and have an inferior axle.

If you're feeling extta saucy, for an additional 500 you can buy a super 88 kit which eliminates c-clips and gives the correct WMS. For $1000 you'd have an axle capable of anything.

Cutting the novel short, moral of the story is the 8.8 doesn't dig trenches. Buy it and be happy.

Disclaimer: This is just my opinion feel free to disagree.
Old 02-25-2015, 04:20 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Big David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Gainesville GA
Posts: 2,719
Received 42 Likes on 31 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

I measured my 8.25 & got right at 4 inches below the centerline of the axle.
Old 02-25-2015, 04:45 PM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
gpXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Grand Prairie, Texas
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO I6
Default

Originally Posted by Big David
I measured my 8.25 & got right at 4 inches below the centerline of the axle.
Originally Posted by vank
As best as I could measure, on my Ford 8.8, the distance from the center of my axle tube to the bottom of my crane diff cover is 5.75 inches. I used a large caliper to mark the center of the tube then threw a level under the pumpkin so I had a straight line to measure to. Measured from the mark on the center of the axle to the top of the level so should be fairly accurate. I have not done any shaving.
So that is about 1.75", if my math is correct. That is a sizeable difference. I definitely felt better about my 8.8 when I was running 35's. With 33's, it was hanging everywhere.
Old 02-25-2015, 06:38 PM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 6,098
Received 247 Likes on 206 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

Basically..... If you want to go 35+ then go with the 8.8, -35 keep the 8.25, I would think a built 8.25 can handle 35s any day.
Old 02-25-2015, 07:29 PM
  #13  
Member
 
vank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Denver
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by CEScuzzy
I don't have a value for the 8.8, but you can find a lot of axle measurements here:

http://www.jeep-owner.com/index.php/topic,639.0.html

The 8.25 measurements are here on the last post:

http://www.jeep-owner.com/index.php/....html#msg21501

-Scuzz
In the second link the measurement of the center of axle tube to bottom of diff housingon the Chrysler 8.25 is 5.6785" or 5 and 11/16 inch. So somebody is wrong. A quick search shows other sources that have the 5.6875 measurement so 5.75 - 5.6875 is a sixteenth of an inch.
Old 02-25-2015, 07:32 PM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
Atmos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: City of Trees, CA
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
Basically..... If you want to go 35+ then go with the 8.8, -35 keep the 8.25, I would think a built 8.25 can handle 35s any day.
this is about all you need to know^^
Old 02-25-2015, 08:12 PM
  #15  
Former Sponsor
 
RockSolidOff-Road's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Don't have measurements but when spotting my buddy with an 8.8 I get really tired of saying "on your dif" over and over. He's running 33's.


Quick Reply: 8.25 vs 8.8 clearance



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:35 PM.