xjfanatic

This is more of just a question thread as I have searched and am not really finding what im looking for. I am looking into doing an 8.8 swap in the rear as I want to run 37's but probably no bigger in the future, hence the reason I'm kinda steering away from a 1-ton swap and I don't really want to hear that is the only way to go as I have already done my research. Now my question is what are those of you with the 8.8 rear swap running for a front axle. I would like the front and rear to be the same width, or close, and have the same bolt pattern. I also want to make sure that the front will hold up to locked 37's. I'm not a really hard wheeler and I have common sense when it comes to the skinny pedal. TIA

N20jeep

best option to keep your same width and bolt pattern would be to use a company like Currie and order a built 44 or 9" that is made to your specs.

eicherjw

I'm currently in the process of defunking a 8.8 to toss into my jeep. I plan on running 35 with the dana 30. I'm going to get rusty's upgrade kit for it/locker/new pinion and rings.

ericfx1984

the 44 would be a winner... easy to find too

eicherjw

not where I live, the things are like gold

freegdr

same here

xjfanatic

I would love to go this route and probably could afford it if I cut back expenses for a few months, but I'd really like to go the budget route both to save my wallet and to say I set up the axles myself.

Now I've heard of and helped a lot of friends swap waggy front axles and a number of earlier model ford 44s, however most of them were far wider than the 8.8. I would really like to avoid modifying the width of the axle because I want spare parts to be accessable easily. What vehicle would a 44 come out of that would be close to an 8.8 besides the crappy rubicon 44s?

SeriousOffroad

If you're in Colorado I've got a narrowed, trussed, Ford HP D44 for sale.

PM me for details.

(No, I won't ship.)

xjfanatic

Thanks for the offer but too far from colorado and trying to avoid the narrowed route.

rob93

I would honestly keep the d30 up front, but leave it open. and wheel it til it explodes... some people seem to have good luck with the d30s

freegdr

i can back that up with proof

PingPong

I can show you proof why you dont want to run a d30.. I broke 3 out of 4 front shafts on 1 obstacle... And yes they were Chromoly shafts.. Did I mention I was only on 33's.

Budget route would be to find a waggy d44.. and truss it/ run it. Be advised, that after you rebuild it (properly) and get the bolt pattern to match you will be in 1000-1500.

xjfanatic

that budget would not be a problem for me at all...I have been running the d30 locked on 35s for four years now with no breakage, just a few worn out wheel bearings and ball joints. I'm not kidding when i say i'm light on the skinny pedal, but not a mild wheeler by any means. I have a feeling however that the 30 is not going to hold up to 37s and i refuse to wheel without a front locker because it gets too frustrating. I am interested in the waggy 44 however from everything i've read and by building a few axles, it looks like the low pinion makes it only as strong as a high pinion 30 in the ring and pinion section which is what i'm most worried about as an on trail axle shaft repair isnt a big deal. Any thoughts

I know this is a short cut route, but has anyone run g2 dana 44s with larger tires or are they just a glorified rubicon axle which are known to be weak

flexin91xj

If you're gonna go the budget route, stick with the Dana 30. No they're not the strongest but the HP non CAD Dana 30s are decent axles. I've got 2 good friends with XJs who run 36" inch tires on their Dana 30 and have had no problems. And they both run pretty extreme trails. Though neither one is locked up front and are very good about controlling the skinny pedal. Both of my friends have run this setup with 4.10 gears for a few years now and have had zero problems with the HP 30.
The grand wagoneer LP 44 is only like half an inch longer on both sides compared to the HP 30.

PingPong

Look into the currie 9" front axles... or ever think of running a Trail gear rock assault front. Yeah I know they are not "bolt in" but for a lil more money you can have a stupid stout axle.

Stock toy shafts are good for 36's and I know several ppl running 40's on dirty 30 shafts. Through a HP third member in and you are golden.