aj2494

So I have the horrible Dana 35 rear and really want to swap in an 8.8. I have an RE 3.5 lift on 31's and want to go 33's at some point in the near future. So here's the problem. I don't have a welder or access to a garage, so I would be doing this in my fraternity house's parking lot, which is pretty much 100% on an incline. I pretty much have no free time right now as well, so I have to do mods that I can do in small chunks. So I think I might need to pay someone to do this. I want to go to either 4.10 or 4.56 gears at the same time, so this could involve regearing not just the front but also the 8.8. I would also be having an SYE done at the same time, for the same reason of me not really having a good place to do this. I would do all the simpler stuff that can be done on a bench, but the majority of the work would have to be done in a shop. So if I purchased all the parts for this, how much would the labor cost? Obviously quotes would vary, but I've never had any of this done before and a ball park estimate to know if this is even feasible would be great. Thanks guys.

XJmember

Find a 29 spline 8.25 you will be fine with 31s, people run up to 35's on it.

JandDGreens

It is to bad you don't live out here. There is a shop that offers 8.8 swap with re-gearing. Here is his C.L. ad http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/4849333645.html or http://www.sffcustoms.com/ I know of several happy customers that swear by this guy. Of course that is basic set-up No SYE or locker but they do locker installs for extra. I might be paying him a visit.

XJlimitedx99

For SYE, regear two axles, and weld brackets onto the 8.8 you're most likely looking at about $1,000 in labor alone.

aj2494

Thanks guys. I've thought about an 8.25 and then doing a rear disk conversion, but I don't know how much I'd actually be saving at that point, and I'd still want to regear it. If I could find an 8.25 with a 4.10 ratio at a good price, I might have to bite on that though.

^This is about what I expected. Probably add in another grand for parts, and it's getting a little ridiculous. I think I might need to either hold off for a little while. There are three reasons I want to get this done soon though. I know it's possible for a Dana 35 to blow up on 31's even on the street, I really want disc brakes in the rear, and I think I could benefit from a gear ratio upgrade a lot. It's a little slow to accelerate (especially on the highway) with all the weight I have in the back.

JandDGreens

I had a Dana 35 in mine, strength was my main concern. Plus the gearing that the stock 5 spd was terrible with larger tires. I had already purchased a 8.8 with 3.73 gears 31 spline/disc brake and that was going to be the route. But when my sons' XJ front frame rail cracked we decided it was better to just purchase another XJ. I also wanted to just use his old one for my own purposes. I switched the axles and wolla! I gained the 8.25 and better gearing for very little cost. I have been parting the rest of the parts I don't need and plan on a camper trailer project with the rest. I still want to do the 8.8 but if I do that means I am getting very serious about making mine more designated trail rig than a DD, with lockers, 4.56 gears and SYE. For now it is something that can wait till I have the cash. I can go ahead with a SYE and that will be already done.

If you go the 8.25 route try to grab the axle as well. because you might want to make sure the length is correct. (shouldn't need it but with mine going from an a 5spd there was a slight difference in length)

Larry's XJ

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/pts/4903337207.html

Fred/N0AZZ

Considering all things and what you intend doing with your XJ IMHO a Chy 8.25 from a 97-01 XJ and at the same time dump the LPD30 and buy a HPD30 (both may cost $400 tops). Then build both at the same time while on the bench gears and lockers that way you can take your time and budget about it. That way when finished you can give yourself a weekend just in case you have a problem and install both.


That way the 8.25 is a direct bolt-in no welding required on it or the HPD30 (make sure you get both drive shafts when you buy the differentials thrown in with the deal). I run 33's and 35's both with my 29 spline 8.25 a mostly all off road XJ with 4.56 gear and locked.


I had my work done at a 4wd shop they charged me (these all are labor costs only) $200 per differential to install gears and locker (in the Jeep) and $250 for the SYE and they did some TC work as well included also new chain, gear another item as well can't remember what it was but not a big deal. I have had them do quite a bit of work for me on the XJ and on our company 4wd trucks F-350's. I'm located in SW MO. and labor rates are much more reasonable down here than other areas and this was a small 3 man shop open for over 25 yrs.


The 8.8 is a good choice if you need it for your off road needs and if that is what you need go for it but I would think about it a little more if it were me.


As far as gears don't even consider the 4.10's if you plan on going to 33's go with the 4.56's they are great with the 33's but when I run my 35's I sure wish I had 4.88's.

caronaxtr

I'd recommend getting a HO30 & 8.25/29 spline. I did this swap in my 01 & am running 35" GY MTR's with no worries. I'm not a huge fan of the 8.8 swaps. The pumpkin is huge. Especially if you're not doing hard core wheel in & not running big tires.

Really easy swap, clean & paint the axles before installing them.

aj2494

YOu guys are making the 8.25 sound like a much better option. I bought my first XJ 100% as just a winter vehicle. That nightmare was put away for a summer and sold in the fall. Since then, my new one has turned into a second toy. I absolutely am trying to build a very capable offroader, but it's still my DD which is why I'm shying away from going to 4.56 gears. I'm really thinking about looking for an 8.25 with 3.55 gears along with an HPD30 and re gearing when my Camaro comes out for the summer. It would be really nice if I could find both axles in 4.10 already, and actually I want the same ratio in the Camaro too lol. I don't think a straight axle swap with no fab would be an issue for me to do. I also could maybe do the SYE, but that might involve the XJ sitting for a week or so. I should have more time in about a month or so, and even more through the summer.

aj2494

That's not half bad though. Can anyone tell if those perches have been relocated for an XJ or if they're still Ford factory?

Larry's XJ

No clue, don't even recall how I came acrossed it. Though I have no clue where "Eastern Mich" is,

bryweb

Just keep your eyes out for a Dana 30HP / 8.25 or 44 combo from someone moving up to 1 tons in their Cherokee. If you plan on going to 33's I would get 4.56 gears even as a daily driver. If you want 4.10 for sure, look for a 5spd Cherokee, they usually came with 4.10's and you might find a Dana 30HP geared that way already, and either regear a 8.25/44 or go with your 8.8 - for $845 including shipping you can order one ready to bolt in from East Coast Gear

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-476...-assembly.html

$100-150 for a used Dana30 HP out of 4cyl with stock 4.10
$650 for 8.8 bolt-in ready FREE SHIPPING but $200 handling FEE.
$400 for custom Tatton Driveshafts - or junkyard them for 1/2

caronaxtr

Visit a local P&P. I was at my local yard in the early winter & they had 3 XJ's all with HPD30's & 8.25's. $150/axle. I was thinking about pulling them & selling them on Craig's List myself.

n00g7

I have 33" tires with the AW4 and 3.55 gears. It makes me want to regear, but by no means is regearing necessary with that combination for cruising around.