Rikrdolevy

Hey guys, I am planing to swap my Chrysler 8.25 rear axle for a Ford 8.8, but the problem is that the guy who is selling it does not know what car the 8.8 came from. I know that the one I need for my 95 XJ is the one that came with the Explorer 96-99 so I would need some information to identify the Explorer Ford 8.8 and buy the right axle.

I would really appreciate the help.

tinytrax78

measure the width , that is all that matters really ,you have to fab the mounts anyway also pull the cover off and see what ratio it is

00t444e

First of all why are you doing this swap, there is very little to gain in strength by going from an 8.25 to an 8.8, not enough to justify the work and cost in my opinion. The Explorer 8.8 will have 31 spline axles, disc brakes, and have the spring mounts welded under the axle since the Explorer uses a spring under rear leaf setup.

Rikrdolevy

Im sorry if I sound stupd or anything, but what am I supposed to measure, from one disc brake to the other?

Rikrdolevy

I just feel like my 8.25 is too weak, also I am running 35s and I am thinking changing the axle would give me more miles per galon and I am also considring putting a locker on in the future and maybe doing bigger than 35s. Do you think I should stick to the 8.25 and upgrade it or would it be more expensive to swap, the guy is selling it for 300 bucks with disc brakes included and the guy who is going to install it will charge me 100 for the installation.

tinytrax78

if you upgrade your 8.25 you will be fine

Rikrdolevy

What Im trying to say is that it will cost me 400 bucks to put the 8.8 on my XJ, do you thing itd be cheaper to upgrade the 8.25? Im also planing on putting bigger tires in the future.

tinytrax78

weigh out your options
8.25, its in there and working +1
8.25 its a good strong axle + 1
8.25 some aftermarket support +0
8.25 liberty disk brakes fit it and cheap n easy to do +1

8.8 have to find same gear ratio +-0
8.8 have to weld on perches to make it fit -1
8.8 its a touch narrower than 8.25 -0
8.8 slightly stronger than 8.25 +1
8.8 should be disk brake already +1
8.8 need adapter flange to use jeep driveshaft -1
8.8 might be lsd but that can be bad if you want to run a lunchbox locker +0

my best guess is put your money into the 8.25 (even tho I put a 8.8 in mine but mine had a dana 35 )

tinytrax78

that will work , I measure from outside to outside

Rikrdolevy

Thanks so much

00t444e

You are going change gears in either axle ideally you want at least 4.56 gears for 35s.

Rikrdolevy

Would it be cheaper for a 8.25 or 8.8?

00t444e

Gears are about the same for both.

Rikrdolevy

Ok thanks

Turbo X_J

Not gonna happen.

Why?