I'm thinking of starting my own minor bit of fab work shop type deal. I was wondering what you all would think would be a fair price for a ready to bolt in 8.8 with discs. Obviously lockers etc would increase the costs but that would be a "special order" type deal. I'm basically looking to see if the cost of supplies and time would be beneficial or not.

So what would be your top dollar figure for a ready to go 8.8 with discs? Thank you for your opinions!

 

Would you install gears to match or do your potential buyers have to hope you have their gear ratio?

 

I would ideally find axles with similar gear ratios already. But in the beginning I'm sure I would have to invest in a few sets of r/p gears. The only exception to this would be people that have after market gears out side the range of stock geared Cherokees. Which would then, in my opinion require a slightly higher payment for the gear matching.

 

Also, I know the explorers came with gears in a blend of ratios that are very similarly matched to XJs

 

Having rocked an 8.8 with discs for a couple of years now, I have a bias, but I'd pay near a thousand for a bolt-in regeared 8.8 knowing I could sell my 8.25 to recoup some $&¢. It'd depend on the quality of your work, too- if you have the fab skills to weld the perches to the axle tubes you might consider a beefed package with a thicker pumpkin cover and truss. I'd also like to see a media-blasted repaint. Start with a base price of maybe $700 for simply making it bolt-in (no regear), then decide how much you'd charge for various upgrades to the axle. Definitely a great axle to work with.

 

such a vague question. what are you planning on doing to them? cleaning them up, rebuilding the brakes and resaling? full build ready to swap into a rig? TJ's or XJ's? mig or tig? what bracket kit? 8.8's are pretty niche. and most of the people looking into the swap are prepared to be able to do it themselves.

I'd say you'll benefit more from posting up your services for any fabrication for locals (as long as this is within forum guidelines). I don't really see 8.8's being worth the hassle for the small profit. if you're planning on having a little fab shop just say "open for business" and accept whatever axle projects come your way

 

I have other things I could do, but was thinking for just getting my feet wet stay it with primarily the 8.8 because I have the ability to acquire at least 5-10 a week (I work in a salvage yard) as far as a kit, it would at least be something similar to the ruff stuff 8.8 swap kit (if not even just actually using that kit). I own an xj so that would probably be my main production line but could easily adapt it to other rigs, would just need to get measurements for bracket placement. As far as welding, it would actually probably get stick welded as that's what I'm most comfortable with and currently my best welder (unless there would be a reason to not use a stick welder).

All things aside, I was mostly just looking for what other people would be willing to pay for what I guess we could call an, "entry level" gear matched and probably new gaskets 8.8 axle do I could at least see if there would be a worth while profit margin in possibly sitting on a few until the right buyer was found.

 

I think the main concern would be bearing kits. The cheapest route ive found while rebuilding my 44 is like 200-250 for the diff overhaul and then axle overhaul. So with the spring mounts you will be out 300 right off the bat. Let alone brakes. Im sure others can chime in with anything else i missed.

 

However if you sold them as "bolt in, as-is" you could probably do well. Just weld on the mounting points and let the buyer figure out what he wants to do with it

 

You're talking different lift heights, different shock setups. It would have to be made to order. I don't think you'll be able to just build a generic axle one size fits all. If you have access to a scrap yard I would start pulling out 4.10 LSD disc 8.8's and sell those in stock form for a couple hundred bucks. It's wishful thinking. But if you want to make money start working on JK's and TJ's. that's where all the money is

 

Some has already beat you to it http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-476...-assembly.html

 

Atmos, I understand that there wouldn't be a cookie cutter bolt in axle, unless I pre fabed many of them for different lift heights.

Andrew, thanks for that link, gives me a good starting point for pricing, plus since it would be local I wouldn't have the 200 bucks of shipping.

 

I wouldn't worry about having it a bolt in for everybody.
But maybe no lift, and 4.5" lift, the customer can use shims then properly to get it dialed in to there specks.

 

If you did like bolt in 1 ton axles front and rear that might make you more money.

 

Sign me up coach