Also 31 spline shafts and larger tubes
how about a c-clip eliminators. More gearing options. Tube sleeves. Cheaper prices for what is out there? Just my opinion.
it's a good axle and will take some abuse. It doesn't have the support that an 8.8 or say a Dana 44 or 60 has.

 

So many options, glad you all are here to get ideas from.

 

If I was going to do all that to a ford 8.8 I would have to ask myself, "but why?"

I would order a Pro Rock 44 or a 60 (if I was feeling "really" financially irresponsible) and be done w/ it.

That's just my opinion though and...

I'm not a ford person

 

Wait a second...

How did we get onto the subject of the 8.8?

Title of the thread is "Thoughts on 8.25 upgrade"

Now you got me talking about pro rocks.

This is going down hill

 

Here's something else I just thought about. I have the 242 TC,,, how would you go about lockers, especially 4wdFT ? Manual hubs ??? Keeps ending up costing more. Now I'm relieved that the OEM axles in the 8.25 are strong enough, that will save some money. So if I just left the front as is, OEM, with 31s and 4.10s would those axles be fine too ? This never ends. At what point do you stop and start to wonder if you went too far ??? LoL, glad im not there yet !!!

 

4.10's would be a good choice for 31's, a mechanical "lunchbox" locker in the rear won't make a difference in full time w/ the 242.

A mechanical locker in the front on the street is not a good idea at all. Full time w/242 is basically "AWD", no good reason to use that off-road imo.

But if your looking to retain the AWD function for street driving I guess that's where a selectable locker comes into play.

I would just leave the front open and install a lunchbox into the 8.25 your planning on getting w/ that scenario.

 

haha Ya I know you like the pro rocks. If I could afford those I'd have them for sure. I was just saying why I went with the 8.8 vs upgrading my 8.25. Just giving op another option. You'll spend close to the same upgrading as you would swapping and have a less sturdy axle. He said he doesn't ever want it to break.

 

What type of wheeling will you be doing? Surprised this hasn't been asked yet.

 

Ok, that sounds good. But,,, if you were to add a selectable locker to the front, naturally you could only use it in 4 Lo. So is that possible and still retain AWD ? What would happen if it got swtched while driving in 2wd ??? Doesn't sound like I can have my cake and eat it too...

 

Selectable hubs could be an option, op could run a mechanical "lunchbox" locker in the front and retain the 242's full time function by leaving the hubs unlocked.

I would be asking myself "but why?" though.

 

You'll need the hubs.

I "think" Yukon makes a kit for that. Don't quote me on that. I believe that option is out there for the thirty.

Expensive, comes to mind also.

 

Oh and btw, your not going to have AWD because the hubs aren't locked.

Locker in the front is expensive w/ 242 if you want to drive on the street in full time.

So idk, maybe you can't "have your cake and eat it to"

 

Doesn't sound logical, nor feasible ... A 231TC would actually be better I guess ? I don't want to go that route. Maybe someday I'll just use this XJ to pull another trailer queen XJ !!! That would be something !!! Ok auto locker, rear only, open front. That's going to save some money Thanks !

 

A 231 may be a better option.

No full time though.

Jeeps are never logical lol!

Sounds like a good idea though, lunchbox in the 8.25 and leave the thirty alone.

 

I have the np242 with a front locker and it does fine but I don't really use the full time 4x4. You still can use full time with an auto locker in the front it just handles kind of weird.