So i need new rear axles and a new front axle and i have decided on the ford 8.8 in the rear, what i want to know is what axle should i do up front. can i run an 8.8 in the rear and 30 in the front for now? i have not ordered the 8.8 yet but plan to come tax return season haha. But what front axle should i get and what should i make sure to do to it. i am doing spartan rear lockers on the 8.8. Price range for the front and rear together is 3,500 to 4,000 the 8.8 is going to cost me $1335.00

 

You could do chromolly axles on the d30?

 

Link to a good brand? anything else that would be nice to freshen up a d30 im new to axle modifications.

 

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-476...-assembly.html this is what i was looking at.

 

so what did your total price come out to on that thing after you selected all the parts and options? I priced one out at $1950 prior to shipping and handling and it was just a basic one with a Spartan locker and stock shafts, 4.56's. that's insane. I would probably say stop looking at that

 

Why not build an 8.8 exactly how you want it on the side for prob half that depending on prices in your area. And the most common front to match is an hp d30, some will do a 44, but it's up to you, I've only seen those two paired with the 8.8.

I have maybe $1200 into my 8.8, and that's with brand new almost everything, 4.88 gears, TruTrac, and gear/locker labor as I don't know how yet. I could have easily built it for $6-700 if I wasn't so ocd.

 

The zj dana 30 is low pinion you want to swap in a xj high pinion 91-99 it bolts right in.Next small step up will be the dana 44 from the front of a 80-91 jeep wagoneer but its 6 lug and takes welding before it will bolt in.It is close to stock width and you could change it and the 8.8 both to to 5x5.5 lug tho but its not the cheapest option.If you get lucky and find jk rubicon 44s front and rear those are wider a little bit.Above that 1 tons dana 60 front ford and 14 bolt or sterling 10.25 rear.

 

Im thinking i will get an xj dana 30 then, I heard that my zj steering will fit an xj axle and its alot heavier duty due to the zj being heavier.

 

I would look for an 8.8 in your local Junkyard. Find one with lower miles. Its always a gamble buying one from a yard, but I purchased one for $75 and it works great. The 8.8s are a good axle if you are on a budget, because they came in a variety of gearing. I got one with 4.10s and LSD, they also have disc brakes which are a plus. As for a front axle, if you go with 4.10s you can look for a hp dana 30 out of a 4 cylinder cherokee some of those have 4.10s stock. If you can weld, the 8.8 is an easy swap.

 

I can weld but i dont trust my welds with my life yet im not a bad welder but i dont feel qualified for a job like that. so im sure a shop could weld one in for me but i think a want to just order one with the mounts pre welded in. im planning to get this zj back to highway driving condition and want it done right and i am willing to spend the $ on a product thats done right. But i am building the D30 myself.

 

http://www.crateaxle.com/products/dana-44-axles

 

Holy crap have you looked at their dana 80 :0

 

Call around welding shops see what they will charge to weld on the mounts,Buying a axle already done sounds easier but shipping on a axle isn't cheap.

 

I will check around. but i am buying a nice 1500 foot shop this week and im partnering up with some other welders (personal shop) and maybe we can figure something out and do it ourselves. if not i will pay somebody else to weld it. Mounts are about the only thing i see trouble with.