GOTWAX

This weekend I'm planning on swapping my stock 3.55 geared 8.25 axle for a 4.56 8.8. I'm installing a new hp d30 front with 4.56 gears also. Ive ordered the super88 kit for the rear and chromalloy shafts for the new front. The rear already has perches welded and disc brakes, and ive ordered new ubolts and spring plates. If anyone has done this swap I'm just looking for any tips or tricks or any advice for this swap. Any help is appreciated.

THEBIGWHITEONE

Search 8.8 swap and you'll find tons of stuff. Its pretty straight forward. I'ld focus on the flange for the DS and the ebrake cables everything else is pretty much plug and play.

GOTWAX

Do I need something special for e brake?

wrapstar

I'm just finished my 8.8 swap today its extremely easy measure measure measure. Don't let people scare you about welding the tubes I read all the threads about it being hard and if its not done right you'll crack the center section, I did mine with my 110 MIG just fine.

THEBIGWHITEONE

I beleive you may need a special cable to hook it up...I know I've seen them in the build ups I read and they sell them in the kits sometimes. I haven't completed the swap yet but I watched it on tv one time

Jarrett

The hard part is done if you already welded the spring perches in place. Definitely weld the tubes to the center section while you got it out. Don't forget about the shock mounts but I did those after it's under the jeep.

GOTWAX

Well I bought the axle from a guy that built it for a customers xj but the guy never paid, do the tubes are welded, perches welded, and shock mounts welded, all I have to do is get new u bolts, and spring plates, and then do the super 88 upgrade on it with new shafts, c clip eliminator and whatever else that entails. Even included the flange adapter for the ds, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!

Big David

I've heard the Super 88 was a BIG waste of money.Might want to do some research about it before you drop any $ on it.

GOTWAX

I did some before I bought it and found the yukon super 88 to be cheaper than the superior super 88 by $200 and the yukon seems to have less issues with a nice warranty, it seemed worth it to me to eliminate c clips, have chromalloy shafts and to have correct axle width.

RWKHausSupply

A few actual facts...

For e-brakes - there are special cables that vendors sell that make the swap bolt in for those, or you can do the wrap around the lever with the stock ones and use a u bolt style cable clamp.

For welding the tubes. I bet that over 80% of ALL welded tubes to housings are hair line cracked right where the weld is, IF its actually used in a rough bouncing or somewhat abusive cond. It is almost impossible to get that casting to weld strongly to the cold rolled steel tube. I have Never seen a 8.8 thats actually abused to the point where it needs that weld to prevent the tube from spinning a little bit, Not be cracked at that weld that the customer did, thinking he was doing good. Just in my experience, and I see more then most, of these axles.

The Ultimate 88 kit is a Great kit. It gets the track width back to stock, with out spacers. It gives you a chromoly axle set, no more C-clips to even remotely have any concern with, and is only 415$. About the same price as a chromoly front axle kit.

The F8.8 much fewer locker choices then the D44 or even D35. I would do a D44 over a f8.8, but thats just because they are bolt in, only about 150$ more typically (saves you 50-100 in perches, spring mounts, consumables) and no needed cutting, measuring, welding, ect. And the best bang for your buck locker, Yukon Zip is only 650$. Thats how much a non selectable Detroit will cost you for a F8.8 alone.

Just some actual professional facts...

GOTWAX

I gave another xj guy your email, he was interested in the same setup I purchased