Vincenza V

First, I'd like to say I search (Advanced Search) the terms Ford 8.8 and Ford 8.8 swap. No luck of anything. Wierd.

The search feature here does blow. Bigtime compared to other forums I'm on, but I'll make due.

What is involved to swap a Ford 8.8 in an XJ from the factory 8.25?

Other than the welding of the spring perch?

btm24

First off use an explorer rear end out of a 95-01? For best results.

Make sure your gearing is the same as the front. Your going to need to cut off and weld new spring perches, and will need to have the spring plates also or new shock tabs. Also new U bolts and maybe spacers but I'm not sure I know I needed them but I have a Comanche and I do know there is a difference between the two.

That's about it. Good luck

Brandon

Vincenza V

Any mods needed to the driveshaft? I heard it's the same bolt pattern. I don't want to get rid of my wheels.

The guy has the 8.8 complete from stud to studs, for $70.00. Local pick up. 3.55 gears he said. Is that a good deal assuming everything works?

j-rod

good deal. you will need a 1310 u joint adapter for rear drive shaft

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Drivetrain-J...=D%2fS2-2-1379

TheJerm

ford 8.8 info

Write-up 1

kits are pretty easy to find

cdawall

Which 8.8 is it a ranger or expo you want the expo rear for the better shafts. Good way to tell from just the photo is if its spring over its a ranger spring under is an expo.

n_a_i_w

Heres a full install on a ford 8.8 off my thread. Gave as much info as i could including measurements prices with links and pictures.

Well I finally got started on the Ford 8.8. I put Yukon 4:88 gears and Eaton E lockers in the front and rear. Have a few picts below. The Ford 8.8 was fairly easy to install. I purchased new spring perches and shock mount from IRO. Perfect fit. Took about 5 hrs. to pull the D35 and install the Ford 8.8. Talk about a wieght differance. The Ford 8.8 is about twice the wieght. Well worth the work. I love the disc brakes. Gotta get my 35"s on it soon. stock gears to 4:88"s is a big differance. Had a guy from my home town install the gears and locker. Perfect! Well worth the trip home from Phoniex. He has been working on jeeps for 20 plus years. He has a ******* jeep in Jp Magazine.

Old D35


D35 pulled out,





Here we are tack welding everything into place. I used the bump stops for a messuring point to center the rear end. Came out with in 1/8 inch.



Once everything was tacked in place we pulled it back out and went to welding.







The shock mounts from IRO. Went ahaed and welded the bolt to the back side so I didnt have a problem with it spinning on me.









And the finished product. Had to throw a little color in....


I picked the Ford 8.8 from a local pick a part. Pulled out from a 96 ford explorer for the disc brakes and 31 spline shafts. $150.00
I ordered the new spring perches and shock mounts from IRO. Below are the links and prices .

Spring perches. They where a perfect fit. Didnt have to do any grinding. $30.00.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...gory_Code=F88S

Shock mounts where a perfect fit also. Required no grinding. $18.00
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...tegory_Code=UP

I ordered the Riddler cover from Rokmen $109.00 Free shipping
http://www.rokmen.com/tj_products/di...ff_covers.html

I installed new rotors and pads and installed them just because I didnt want to have to do the brakes in a few months.

Rear rotors $27.00 each
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50028+2028014

Rear brake pads. $20.00 Didnt go with any fancy high dollar pads. They tend to sqeeeeek....... so I bought the cheap ones. Nice and quiet.
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50028+2028014

Depending on what lockers and gears you want to go with will definitly change the prices. I will post what I went with from Randy's ring and pinion just so you have a idea of prices.

Eaton E Locker $787.00. So far I love this locker.
http://www.ringpinion.com/ProductDet...px?ProdID=1935

Yukon 4:88 Gears $226.00
http://www.ringpinion.com/ProductDet...px?ProdID=1949

Master install kit. $96.00
http://www.ringpinion.com/ProductDet...px?ProdID=1959

I used Lucas oil for the diff. It took almost a gallon to fill it.
My uncle and I installed the rear ourselves. It was not to bad just find a good point to measure from to center the axle. I ended up using the bump stops and measuring across to opposite side calipar mounts. I think that the measurement we came up with to center the axle was 46 inchs.. make sure to do final checkes with the wieght on the axle before you do any tack welding. I also tilted the axle to keep the driveline as striaght as
I could. within 1 or 2 degrees. When it was all said and done we were less than a 1/8 inch differance.
I used all the brake lines from the 8.8 rear end. You will need a small ball pin hammer to tap and bend the lines around. We had to shorten the line a bit becuase i took a differant route of travel. Wanted to keep it up high to avoid damage. I welded a few small bolts to the axle to mount the brake lines to.
Total biuld was bout $2800.00 for the front and the rear. I took it back home and had Roger our gear guy there do the work. Wanted to give the business to him rather than someone I didnt know here in Phoenix. I'm sure I paid a little more but I wanted it done right the first time. He's the best I know and all his business is by word of mouth.
Hope this helps you all out. I will try to answer any questions on the install and if you need me to I can take more pictures of it installed.

SeriousOffroad

The Ford 8.8 has a couple of weaknesses that need to be addressed when doing this swap.

#1)
The stock carriers are weak and prone to failure. Obviously your driving style and the type of terrain you whwwl on are big factors.

#2)
The tubes are only pinned in place. Make sure you weld the tubes to the diff. I've seen them spin...it ain't pretty.