i'd just do cheap auto lockers and gears if anything. and yes, 1.5" makes a pretty big difference. at least that's what she said

actually, just get those axles and run some wheel spacers.

[Edited on October 3, 2008 at 2:04 PM. Reason : .]

10/3/2008 2:01:55 PM

By God, that's actually a good idea.

10/3/2008 2:11:14 PM

OK, so I've decided on a Ford 8.8 rear (because I'm getting it for free basically).

Also got my tires mounted up. 35" Maxxis Bighorns.

I'll have the 8.8 pulled outta the explorer by Monday (too much other stuff going on) and hope to have it all installed by next weekend. My 6.5" lift kit is also supposed to be delivered tomorrow.

Also got a Smittybilt XRC8 winch, SYE, and a high lift jack.



[Edited on October 9, 2008 at 12:46 AM. Reason : SYE]

10/9/2008 12:44:48 AM

Anyone wanna have a fender cuttin party with me?

I'm bout to put the U-bolts on the rear axle and throw the tires on. Definitely gonna have to cut the shit outta the fenders...

10/19/2008 2:07:31 PM

Got it up on the 35's today.

Still need to tighten up the trackbar and trim the fender wells.

10/19/2008 11:20:18 PM

looks good.. how much are you gonna cut?

10/20/2008 12:15:03 AM

as much as I need to to clear these tires. They're rubbing BAD.

I pulled off the plastic fender flares yesterday. Tonight after work i'll get to the cutting.

Lowes had Dewalt 4.5" hand grinders BOGO yesterday...me and the roommate got 2 grinders for $90!

[Edited on October 20, 2008 at 7:41 AM. Reason : ..]

10/20/2008 7:40:06 AM

i know you don't really care but the bushwhacker flares look goooooooooooood and i'm sure they'll clear the tires... if you don't want the actual flares check on forums for the cutting template they come with... it'll be a good guide and show you how to trim the most without compromising the unibody's strength.

10/20/2008 7:50:02 AM

Yeah, i dont think i'm gonna run flares at all right now, but i'll definitely check out the bushwhacker pattern.

10/20/2008 7:56:38 AM

ditch the flares


1st offroad trip will rip them off

10/20/2008 8:45:35 AM

They've already been taken off. I did it just after I took that pic.

10/20/2008 8:54:55 AM

That motherfucker is tall.

10/20/2008 9:37:09 AM

just cut along the outline of where the old flares were.

10/20/2008 9:51:58 AM

Quote :

"That motherfucker is tall."

10/20/2008 10:15:01 AM

you got a locker yet?

10/20/2008 10:23:30 AM

No, dont have a locker yet.

I'm still running the stock D30/D35 axles.

I have a 8.8 in the backyard i'm gonna build up to drop in the rear, and want to find a D44 for the front and build them both up at the same time to make the swap easier. That way I can order the gears and locker at the same time.

Know anyone with a D44 for sale, or gears for a D44 or 8.8?

10/20/2008 10:27:31 AM

As far as ordering a locker/gears I would contact Chase @ ECGS. He is local, knows his shit, and takes care of his customers.

10/20/2008 10:29:35 AM

I would guess you're trying to find a Rubicon "44" front axle? That is all I can think of off the top of my head that is the right width and bolt pattern to match your 8.8. In my opinion, the only reason to go with an 8.8 is if you plan to keep the 30 front. Just get chromos.

10/20/2008 10:48:27 AM

I'm just kinda flying by the seat of my pants on this build.

I got the 8.8 for free outta a buddy's wrecked explorer...it had disc brakes, so why not?!

I'll have to look into the Rubi 44.

10/20/2008 11:02:34 AM

chromo fronts in the D30

10/20/2008 12:15:32 PM

I'm n00bing all over myself here, but are the chromo shafts for the D30 really that good? Will it stand up to a good amount of abuse with 35" tires and light/moderate crawling?

10/20/2008 12:37:24 PM

talk to jeepman about it, iirc he has chromo's, and ran 36" swampers up in harlan

10/20/2008 12:40:36 PM

^^ In short, yes. They are actually pretty decent. My weak link is U-joints anyway, i've never broken an actual front shaft, just u-joints. Dana 44, wont solve that problem, the only thing that will is higher quality ujoints in either a 44 or a 30. I have been considering keeping my 30 and running chromos. I flip flop worse than john kerry. I have seen greg slade absolutely hammer on the chromoly'ed 30 in his YJ on 36s with no failure up pull cable in mt. city.

10/20/2008 12:50:38 PM

hell, sounds good to me. That's just more money I can dump into a good locker for the 8.8.

10/20/2008 3:04:04 PM

Ok... what d30 do you have though... if it has the vacume disconnects then its not too weak.... if its has the solid axle shafts its not too bad stock...


and adam is talking about the wrangler dana 44 which still has dana 30 knuckles on it... you can get a 1ton dana 44 that will have bigger u joints and such but then you have to go to a whole new bolt pattern 5.5" circle min...

basically i'd just leave the front for now....

10/20/2008 3:14:53 PM

Quote :

". you can get a 1ton dana 44 that will have bigger u joints"

Nope, If he installed chromos in his 30, he would have 5-297x u-joints, the same as your cherokee's 30, the same as any 44 front. I have an 8-lug 44 in the driveway that i could swap ujoints with my hp30.

10/20/2008 3:34:28 PM

orly??? i was under the impression that only the jeep d44 fronts had the candy ass u joints

ok thanks dood.

10/20/2008 3:57:51 PM

44's use the same u-joints as later 30's. 297-x/760-x. I ran stock shafts and 36's last year at Harlan, uwharrie, callalantee, etc. I upgraded to chromo's and I'm really not that nice on em; I do drive smart though.

The biggest thing I'll say is that if you're going to drive it on the street a lot you might go through balljoints/unit bearings with big tires. the 30 will stand up to abuse but it won't like it.

10/20/2008 6:31:25 PM

yall are full of shit I abused my dana 30 and at the end of the day it just smiled back

10/20/2008 11:16:04 PM

**Project Update**

I've started tearing down the 8.8 I have. Ordered 4.88 R&P and master install kit for it. I'm selling the LSD that's in it right now and just bought an open diff off ebay for $CHEAP!$ (If anyone needs an 8.8 LSD, lemme know)

I've cut the shit outta my wheel wells to clear the tires. I also pulled the front bumper off last night and started workin on my steel tube winch bumper i'm building. Also lowered the transfer case with a 1" spacer. This will be taken off once I get my 8.8 installed and have a new driveshaft built.

I ordered 4.88 R&P and master install kit for my front D30, as well as an Aussie locker.

Havent ordered a locker for the 8.8 yet...but will shortly.


That's bout it so far. Lots of work left to do. Gotta have it all ready by Dec. 6

10/30/2008 3:16:46 PM

did you have a dana 35 or a 8.25 in the rear??

10/30/2008 3:29:29 PM

Has a D35 in the rear. I'm scrapping that for the 8.8

Prolly gonna weld up the 8.8 until I can get some cash for a locker. I've dropped a ton of coin on this project lately

[Edited on October 30, 2008 at 3:45 PM. Reason : .]

10/30/2008 3:33:16 PM

yeah i think i'm going to have to do a re-gear and locker for my xj just cause the spider gears ate it and i might as well while i'm in there...

10/30/2008 3:58:42 PM

what gears you runnin?

10/30/2008 4:14:53 PM

I got lucky today! Went to get tags/registration for the jeep and found out I dont have to inspect it until NEXT november. I was worried this thing wouldnt pass

***Project Update***

Got the 8.8 installed. Just have to regear/weld the diff this weekend.
Got front and rear bumpers done. Just have to mount them and install my winch.

All that's left is to install my SYE & get a new rear driveshaft made. Should be basically good to go after next week.

[Edited on November 21, 2008 at 3:55 PM. Reason : new inspection laws FTW!]

11/21/2008 3:55:20 PM

WORD

I WANT TO SEE CUT-MARKS AROUND THOSE WHEEL WELLS

11/21/2008 4:04:41 PM

My wheel wells are freakin alllllll hacked up y0. Dewalt grinder w/ cutoff wheels FTW!

11/21/2008 4:15:09 PM

you do have a pair after all

[Edited on November 21, 2008 at 4:21 PM. Reason : -]

11/21/2008 4:21:26 PM

PICS?

Uwharrie next weekend?

11/21/2008 4:56:09 PM

Heading there on December 6.

I'll try and get some pics up this weekend.

11/21/2008 5:01:04 PM

I know, retard, I am saying you up for a trip next weekend too? Or too much of a pussy?

11/21/2008 5:10:19 PM

Prolly gonna be home with the rents next weekend. HOMECOOKED FOOD f00l.

11/21/2008 6:58:29 PM

I got a superwinch for sale

11/22/2008 10:40:34 AM

I got one of dem 8k lb Smittybilt winches.

I'm a huge fucktard though. Figured out I had the NP242 transfer case today instead of the NP231. I already had a SYE kit for the 231, so now I've gotta wait to have Tom Woods ship me a SYE and driveshaft. Should be here by next week's end.

11/22/2008 7:01:25 PM

Quote :

"EPIC WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME"

11/22/2008 10:51:42 PM

^you talking about the smittybilt??

They are actually decent winches. I wouldnt go much further than saying decent, but they do the job. Mine has a lot of pulls on it and the only downside is the speed. for the money, you cant go wrong.

11/23/2008 8:14:12 AM

Yeah, i've really NEVER heard anything bad about them, and trust me, I did my homework before I bought it. For the occasional weekend warrior, this winch is all I need.

11/23/2008 10:29:12 AM

Well boys, she's almost done.









Ford 8.8 installed, regeared to 4.88 and welded



Welded Open diff for the 8.8




Also installed Smittybilt XRC8 8k lb winch, aussie locker in the front D30, Rough Country 6.5" lift kit, 35" Maxxis Bighorns, Tom Woods SYE & Driveshaft, etc.

[Edited on December 3, 2008 at 3:36 PM. Reason : .]

12/3/2008 3:35:33 PM

little tall for my liking, but looking good

12/3/2008 4:09:23 PM

I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE TALLER AFTER SEEING THE FIRST PICS OF IT. NOT TERRIBLY HIGH. LOOKS GOOD.

12/3/2008 4:13:38 PM