Hey all - next week a guy is regearing an 8.8 for me and welding on the new spring perches and shock mounts. He said all he needs is the old 8.25 that's currently in it to know where to weld the perches and mounts.

BUT

It's a '95 5-speed on a 6.5" RC lift. I just put in an SYE, and it's getting an 8.8, so we have several non-stock variables here. It's got shims on it that I assume came with the lift kit. Is it a mistake for him to just put the perches and mounts where the old ones were on the 8.25, or should we try to position everything so that the shims aren't necessary?

Thanks all!

 

I'd weld them on for the way it is NOW.,...not stock.

That way you don't need the shims

 

That's what I figured. Only trick is that of course the 8.8 is laying on the garage floor, not yet in the XJ - any simple way for me to figure out the angles I'll need when it's in? I'm guessing the 8.8 pinion is farther away from the axle than on the 8.25.....would that change anything?

Thanks!

 

The thing to do is set it on stands with the axle supported in the position it is to be in without tacking the pads on. When you get it where you want it, then tack weld them, drop it down and weld. It will be right then.

 

So really I should bring him the whole XJ and not just the two rears. That makes sense.

REALLY stupid noob question time - so while the rear axle doesn't have nearly as much articulation as the front, it's hard for me to figure how a non-double-cardan DS can allow the rear end to move up and down much at all.....is that where the slip yoke comes into play? Front with the double-cardan makes perfect sense......but how does the rear move with a fixed-length DS??? I mean I know it does, but it just doesn't make sense to me....

 

rear is not fixed length....it slides in and out of the t-case.....doing the same thing as the slip joint in the front driveshaft

 

Yeah, I knew the slip yoke did that, but now that I've installed an SYE.....maybe that's why people say to use a double-cardan DS with an SYE? That would make perfect sense.

 

Hey all - so I'm taking the 8.8 to the guy tomorrow and I'm going to try to talk him into bringing the whole XJ so it can be welded the right way.

Now my only question is - is it hard to figure out the correct angle WITHOUT a driveshaft?? I was waiting to get a DS until the rear was in so I'd know exactly how long it needed to be. Anyway, will it be obvious when we get the rear in where the pinion should point? Seems like it might be a little difficult to just eyeball it...is there a good way? Also does it need to point right at the yoke on the SYE?

Thanks all, I really appreciate your patience with this!