XJake.

Im looking to buy my first jeep. It is a 95 cherokee 2wd. I am getting it very cheap and i plan to do a 4wd. I have a totaled 96 ford explorer with an 8.8 and 3.55 gears. Would this be a good axle to have right away?

884x4

Heck yeah, if you plan on building it up pretty good! Only thing is it takes new spring perches and shock shock mounts to make a 8.8 bolt up to an xj. Not to hard I did mine in about 3 days. Also it's good that it's 3.55 because that will most likely be the gear ratio you get in the front dana 30 when you 4x4 it.

mentalbreakdown00

Depends on what rear is in the jeep. If you have an 8.25 then nah, but a dana 35 id swap it just because I had it...

XJake.

I plan on eventually having 37 in tires. If i get new gears would the 8.8 still be good?

884x4

This is true but it's still the 27 spline 8.25 if it even has an 8.25.
If he has the fab skill then swapping in the 8.8 he already has would be a good move IMHO

884x4

37s...your gonna want to re gear that 8.8 to 5.13. Also get a c clip emininator kit and you would be golden on 37s
I'm on 35s and have 4.88 gears in my 8.8 and I love it. It's a good swap

mentalbreakdown00

yes, but 8.25 axle and carrier swap is easy enough without fab skills. With 37's i'd swap it, put a back brace on it, and 4.88's and if its limited slip id leave it alone locers are up to you i love my aussie. My xj came with a 27 spline 8.25 i bought a whole axle with 3.55 's instead of my stock 3.08's cheap enough to swap the whole axle, put a locker in it, now have rear discs on it...

XJake.

Yeah with my eventual budget. Im also planning on a big lift of at least 8 inches. As for the fab work i have little experience; however, there are many jeep guys i hang out with at the shop and they are happy to help.

884x4

Cool, then definitely do the 8.8.
By the way a high pinion dana 30 can only fit up to 4.88 gears. You wouldn't really want 37s on a hp 30 anyways. I would look at 70s d44s or just go with a dana 60 front at that point.
That way you can fit the gears you want and not have to worry about killing that dana 30. 37s take a lot of work man, but if you have time and money on your side then you can do it

XJake.

I will have the money eventually. I plan to have the 37 in build in a year or two, not right away. I am wondering what would be a good lift to start with and what front axle should i start with to run like a starting 4 inch lift

884x4

95-99 dana 30. It's high pinion and has 297x u joints. Also just start with a long arm lift if you want 37s lol anything but rough country

XJake.

Thanks for the tips guys! I hope i will enjoy driving and building the xj.