PDA

View Full Version : 8.8 progress thread *pics inside*



ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-04-2005, 01:43 AM
Well finally getting started on this little project. Along with school and work I have not been able to get but a few hours to actually work on it. Heres the skinny:

This is an 8.8 out of a 2001 mercury mountaineer with 40K miles on it, was in a front end collision. I bought it from a junkyard for $200 without calipers and the gears to match my front end.

I just pulled the D35 yesterday (not really pulled, just unbolted and let fall to the ground, kicked it around some, took a dump on it) and took it to my buddy's shop. After ALOT of measuring, and ALOT of grinding and cutting I got the 8.8 tubes sparkling and the nice brackets off the D35.

I opted against the M.O.R.E. bracket kit for the TJ because $300 is pretty ridiculous to pay for a set of brackets especially since the spring perches are the only ones that dont have to be modified to work.

So today we finished by tacking on the new brackets at the right place and at the right angle and welded the tubes to the diff to prevent the tubes from spinning. Measurements were kind of vague because one axle tube on the 8.8 is longer than the other by about 2" but we measured from the backing plate on the d35 so all should be well.

Saturday we are going to finish welding on the brakets and plumb the brakes, needs hardline, and the 2 rubber hoses going to the calipers. Anyway here are the pics, I know imagestation is probably the worst place to host pics but its all i got. If they dont work just reload the page or check back in a minute.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2131248465

^all pics can be found there however these are just some of my favorites.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p836be050f845fecb073d4cb9b4e58e39/f5406f84.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/pa82ac25e90402ff45c7f912e67163335/f53dd16b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/pe8f15d32e08453ccbe0c15cbe91798c4/f53dd15f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p3364c539e7adf7ac4d2904666d467071/f5406f7d.jpg

and of course the obligatory flipoff pic...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/pf94469db86890946a1f1d9cf3615f1ca/f5406f74.jpg

ATL ZJ
02-04-2005, 02:06 AM
Reminds me of a little over a year ago... Although it already seems like 4... Looking good, you'll love every minute of that 8.8. :D

MendoZJ
02-04-2005, 02:12 AM
Nice man :)

Nordic1
02-04-2005, 02:55 AM
If you want a nice bracket kit, get Claytons.


OR... re-use EVERYTHING but the LCA mounts (get something beef for that)

5 Speed ZJ
02-04-2005, 01:38 PM
Awasome. Get me an 8.8

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-04-2005, 01:41 PM
Awasome. Get me an 8.8

they've got plenty for $200. Come get it next time ur up here.

BTW at this rate you're never gonna be ready for Moab. :lol:

LouisianaZJ
02-05-2005, 01:33 AM
8.8's are cute little axles
:D

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-05-2005, 01:35 AM
8.8's are stronger than my D44
:D

fixed, bia! ;)

LouisianaZJ
02-05-2005, 01:40 AM
8.8's are stronger than my D44
:D

fixed, bia! ;)
try telling that to the XJ guys. they think these XJ D44's are made of gold. the going rate for a junkyard 87-89 XJ D44 is around $350
:lol:

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-05-2005, 03:00 AM
8.8's are stronger than my D44
:D

fixed, bia! ;)
try telling that to the XJ guys. they think these XJ D44's are made of gold. the going rate for a junkyard 87-89 XJ D44 is around $350
:lol:

no $h1t. Even the waggy 44's are at least $350. who knows...

Swamp boy
02-05-2005, 03:06 AM
Look at the specs yourself... Dana 44 8.5" ring gear 8.8 is.... Welllll Ummmmmmm .... 8.8" ..

Axle tubes 44 --2.76 ......... 8.8 --3.25

Dana 44 30 spline (I think) 8.8 31 spline..

I think the 8.8 axle diameter is a little bigger but I dont feel like looking it up.. :? I am tired...

LouisianaZJ
02-05-2005, 03:09 AM
yes, the d44 is 30spline

i know the specs, but the D44's just have that coolness factor 8) 8) :elies:

DONT MAKE ME ENRAGED SWAMPY. I AM VERY SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM !!!!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D (inside joke)

JeepinHank
02-05-2005, 12:29 PM
try telling that to the XJ guys. they think these XJ D44's are made of gold. the going rate for a junkyard 87-89 XJ D44 is around $350
:lol:

Ever taken an economics class? Its all about supply and demand (in this case, low supply + a high demand = higher price) Yeah, I'm a business geek. The demand is increased by all those XJ guys ;) who are looking for an easy swap. That doesn't really apply to ZJ's though - you're going to put just as much work into swapping in an XJ 44 as with any other axle.

8.8's are really plentiful, and can be found in just about any junk yard you go to.

5 Speed ZJ
02-05-2005, 01:32 PM
Awasome. Get me an 8.8

they've got plenty for $200. Come get it next time ur up here.

BTW at this rate you're never gonna be ready for Moab. :lol:

Dude find me one with 3.55's, open diff, and disk brakes.

black_zj
02-05-2005, 04:34 PM
8.8's are stronger than my D44
:D

fixed, bia! ;)
try telling that to the XJ guys. they think these XJ D44's are made of gold. the going rate for a junkyard 87-89 XJ D44 is around $350
:lol:

I can get them for $100 hub to hub with brakes. but finding them is the problem.

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-07-2005, 12:42 AM
update:

Got all the brackets welded on, rotors turned *for free*, painted, hardline ran, and rubber hoses connected. All thats left is the DS flange and connecting the brakelines to the line on the frame. Check the above link for all the pics... here are some favorites.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid157/pf9ac0c2e4bf639bf7860c729922f82be/f5367d95.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid157/pb15a19934e627ed80f3174b765845952/f5367dd1.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid157/p25dff61e7f89cb9b7b154b19765650a4/f5367db6.jpg

TrojanMan
02-07-2005, 12:51 AM
Teh hottness.

Mine's next.

LouisianaZJ
02-07-2005, 12:54 AM
nice, should have painted it like urnge or yeller like all the rednecks round here do

should have added like a lateral brace to the t-bar mount.

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-07-2005, 01:16 AM
all the trucks in the local 4x4 club paint their axles orange or lime green. Too bad theres no :fkcar: button on this site. :lol: I was actually considering putting a couple gussets somewhere along the tbar mount but thats where the junction to the brakeline comes in along w/ the breather for the tubes so I just put a weld on the inside and the outside of the bracket. Sure as hell aint going anywhere.

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-14-2005, 11:57 AM
getting gears this week :D

TrojanMan
02-14-2005, 01:01 PM
pink. it would go perfectly with what's inbetween your legs :lol:

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
02-14-2005, 05:18 PM
pink. it would go perfectly with what's inbetween your legs :lol:

your mom's cooter :?: