Slackdaddy

I can not find any definitive answer (or even rumor) of the width of a 8.25 rear under a Liberty (KJ).
I have a rebuilt D30 HP up front with 3.73 gears,, so hoping to drop a junk yard 8.25 in the rear,
The Liberty's are 8.25s with 3.73 gears,,, it would take one hour to plasma off the liberty links/brackets and weld spring perches on.

But for some reason the width of the liberty rear appears to be a closely guarded secret.

4.3L XJ

You are right, noone seems to know. So jack it up and take the wheels off and measure. Then you will be one of the few in the universe to know

agreen

So since I'd like to know as well, I'm going to chime in. My google-fu says they're just about the same width. Both are right about 60". I haven't gotten a definitive answer yet though, but I'll stay tuned to see if anyone answers your question.

Looks like the consensus is "if you're going through the effort, why not use a Ford 8.8?" But I'm a firm believer in having open options, so I'd like to know regardless. Plus I think the driveshaft would have to be changed for an 8.8 swap, but not for a KJ 8.25.

Slackdaddy

I think I will pay my $2 entrance fee at the U-Pull it and get the answer.

Slackdaddy

I did some "deconstructive math"
I went to yukons web site, and looked at replacement axle shaft lengths for 8.25 rears. XJ shafts are 29-13/16",, Liberty are 30-7/8". So basically a liberty shaft is 1" longer.
That would make a Liberty rear 2" wider or ~ 62.5" ?

I will try to make this long story short.
Son and I purchased a project 2001 XJ - 4.0 Auto and have been doing a full restoration/build for the last 3 years. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/20...-build-235088/
My son has since moved on so I am finishing it.
I was going for a reliable camping/fishing rig with an AX-15 manual swap, 3.73 gears and 31-32" tires. (AX-15 factory gears are 3.07)
I have a rebuilt 3.73 D30 HP in the front.

I have since decides to keep it auto (so wife can drive it) and 31" tires.
3.5" OME lift.
Rebuilt engine, freshened up 90K AW-4 auto, rebuilt NP231 with SYE are all installed.,, waiting on me to get a matching 3.73 rear installed.

I "Do" have a explorer 8.8 rear with 3.73 gearing sitting in the shop.
Seeing as I am keeping this 31" tires, a 8.25 is more than adequate, I really did not want the heft/weight of the 8.8 and lower ground clearance.
I was seeing if there was a Junk Yard option for a 8.25 in 3.73,, welding on new perches is no problem for me,, setting up gears is.
Local U-Pull is $130 for complete axle, If the Liberty 8.25 width is close, that gets me 3.73 gearing and disc brakes (and possibly LS) for $130 plus $50 for spring perches and shock mounts.

The thing that is stopping me from putting the 8.8 in for now is that I need to order a new CV driveshaft due to the SYE,, If I order one that fits the 8.8, then It will be another $350 if I switch to a 8.25 in the future.

This build has taking many twist and turns that have cost me time and money, I am starting to get "mind fog"
It will be used for my retirement, traveling across the US and hitting forest roads in National parks/BLM land.

Slackdaddy

Back from the local "You-Pull-It.
I measured 2) 2005 Liberty rear ends.
WMS-WMS on both is 63"
A tad wide for My XJ, I could deal with an inch wider, but not 2.5" wider.

On a side note: I measured the Cry 8.25 and Ford 8.8 - center of axle to center of U-Joint cap on the yoke.
The 8.8 has the mounting plate with the stock explorer 1330 adapter, a Spicer 1310 adapter has the same dimension so these figures will be true with a 1310 adapter.
Cry 8.25 = 12-1/4" center axle to center U-Joint.
Frd 8.8 = 11-3/4" center axle to center U-Joint.

That is a half inch difference,, I will have my Adams CV drive shaft made up in between those 2, so it will work with either the 8.8 or 8.25

Slackdaddy

So I now have a liberty 8.25,, and a few XJ 8.25s around the shop.

When everyone says "Wheel mounting surface" or WMS on a XJ rear is 60.5"
The "WMS" is not 60.5",, The flat area of the axle shaft (where the wheel studs are, not the raised center hub) is 60.5"
The "Wheel" does not mount to the face of the axle shaft, it mounts to the face of the rotor or drum,,, Yeah I know, minor detail,, but.

Anyhow, axle shaft face (ASF) to ASF on the XJ 8.25 is 60.5"
ASF-ASF on the liberty 8.25 is ~62.5"
I can pick up a liberty 8.25 "Trash-Loc" with 3.73 gears (to match my front) for $100, tempted to grab it and clean the tubes and weld perches on it, then throw 1" wheel spacers up front.
Would 1" between the front and back be noticeable??

agreen

I'd do this


I think it would.


On a different note, I have an '81 J10 with a D44 front, but an AMC20 rear. The rears are plenty strong, but the pumpkin rotated on the tubes so the liberty 8.25 might be a good option. Now just to find a way to convert the 44 to 5 lug...

Slackdaddy

I am wondering is the "Troc-loc" is worth having,, as I hear they are pretty much the same as an open rear.

4.3L XJ

When the clutches wear, yes.