Eric 88 Wrangler YJ

[Jeepkid]

I have rebuilt a 1988 Jeep Wrangler YJ

I have put Blood, Sweat, and Tears in to it

and learned a great deal about Jeeps and Automotive maintenance in general

Rebuilt and Replaced Specs.
Brand New 4.2L 258ci straight six
Rebuilt the stock carburetor
3" Superlift suspension lift kit
U-Bolt Rear Flange w/ Spicer U-Joint
Replaced wiring Harness
Replaced Vacuum lines
Rebuilt Transmission (did not do myself)
4x4 Posi Lock system
New paint job
33"x12.50 Pro Comp Mud-Terrains
Dana 35's

Next upgrade finding out how how to chop down and fabricate Dana 44's to fit an 88 Wrangler YJ If anyone can help or let me know if that would be safe

If you can help that would be great

[Pathrat]

Wow, quite a build you did! Nice

[irprnces]

Don't know if you have seen it... but if not, try this: http://www.offroaders.com/directory/axles/dana44.htm

[Jeepkid]

Thanks


Don't know if you have seen it... but if not, try this: http://www.offroaders.com/directory/axles/dana44.htm

Thanks this should be useful

[irprnces]

I hope so. I only have experience workin' on the Ram so that won't help too much for ya... :erm:

[Brody]

I have rebuilt a 1988 Jeep Wrangler YJ

I have put Blood, Sweat, and Tears in to it

and learned a great deal about Jeeps and Automotive maintenance in general

Rebuilt and Replaced Specs.
Brand New 4.2L 258ci straight six
Rebuilt the stock carburetor
3" Superlift suspension lift kit
U-Bolt Rear Flange w/ Spicer U-Joint
Replaced wiring Harness
Replaced Vacuum lines
Rebuilt Transmission (did not do myself)
4x4 Posi Lock system
New paint job
33"x12.50 Pro Comp Mud-Terrains
Dana 35's

Next upgrade finding out how how to chop down and fabricate Dana 44's to fit an 88 Wrangler YJ If anyone can help or let me know if that would be safe

If you can help that would be great

Don't know if I said welcome to site or not, but I'll say it now: Welcome!

To answer your question on the Dana 44s: I posted an article/link in the Tech section or how to section awhile back about using a Dana 44 from a Rodeo in the back of a Jeep. Turns out the axle width is the same and all you have to deal with are the mounts for the Jeep stuff for the links.

Try to find it and if you have trouble, PM me and I'll either find my post or send you a link for the information. It'll save you bunches of grief, at least for the rear. You also might find it cheaper to do the Dana 35 axle upgrade with chrome moly axles, etc, rather than replacing the whole axle. Just a thought there, as I am not a big fan any Danas under the 44.

Here are some:

http://forums.off-road.com/jeep-mid-sized/201839-dana-44-found-isuzu-rodeo-honda-passport.html

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_0904_junkyard_axle_guide/index.html

http://www.cj-8.com/index.php?option=com_simplefaq&task=answer&Itemid=102&catid=99&aid=4

http://www.csloffroad.com/jeepzjxjwjaxleinfo.aspx

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=475229

Hope that this info helps out

[JeepersCreepers]

I would suggest a Ford 8.8 out of an Explorer in the rear, that is what I put in mine. It has 31 spline axles and the swap is super simple. I run 35s and have never had an issue

This is what i'm looking to do with my jeep. Just need to get the time to find one and then have someone put it on for me:wrench:

[Brody]

This is what i'm looking to do with my jeep. Just need to get the time to find one and then have someone put it on for me:wrench:

Hey Josh

Either Jon, Bear, or I will be happy to do the swap for you. PM any one of us as to you time frame and $$ and let us know. I can source one for you out of a yard here in town. Just give me a heads up. I think that Jon and I are going to do a little boneyarding when he is in town Friday. I will do a prelimary looksee when we are there and get some prices..

[Jeepkid]

I would suggest a Ford 8.8 out of an Explorer in the rear, that is what I put in mine. It has 31 spline axles and the swap is super simple. I run 35s and have never had an issue

I'll have to check that out to see if it will work for an 88 thanks for all the help guys

I'll post some pics when I find and start the work

once again thank you everyone for the help

[Funrover]

It will work, not only that but you gain disc breaks in the rear!:thunb:

[Aaron]

It will work, not only that but you gain disc breaks in the rear!:thunb:

What would a setup like this cost (parts and labor with me helping as much as I can)? I too am looking to get rid of (or upgrade) my D35 at some point. Mines a TJ though so the mounts would be different but that should be about it I would think.

Aaron

[Brody]

I was just at Colorado Auto Parts off of Santa Fe. They had Rangers, Explorers, Rodeos and Troopers. Their price for a U Pull It axles complete was $125-150 dependent on if it had rear discs or drums. This is a very reasonable price.

As far as an install, with someone(like the owner) helping, it would take a full day maybe more, start to finish. Probably labor would be in the $300-400 range...non shop.

Speaking of Colorado Auto: there are a couple of 84-87 Yota PUs, one Sammi, and a Disco there as of today. There was also an 85 Yota, but someone already scammed the front axle..... Lotsa drive shafts and CVs lying about, too...

[Aaron]

I was just at Colorado Auto Parts off of Santa Fe. They had Rangers, Explorers, Rodeos and Troopers. Their price for a U Pull It axles complete was $125-150 dependent on if it had rear discs or drums. This is a very reasonable price.

As far as an install, with someone(like the owner) helping, it would take a full day maybe more, start to finish. Probably labor would be in the $300-400 range...non shop.

Speaking of Colorado Auto: there are a couple of 84-87 Yota PUs, one Sammi, and a Disco there as of today. There was also an 85 Yota, but someone already scammed the front axle..... Lotsa drive shafts and CVs lying about, too...

I assume the time/labor cost is per end, right?

JeepKid, sorry for threadjacking...

[Brody]

I assume the time/labor cost is per end, right?


Yes. It partially depends on what you get the axles off of and how much fabbing needs to be done. There are a lot of places (Blue Torch Fabrication is one) that sell pre fabbed mounts of all kinds, and at not too bad of a price. You can find a huge selection of fabrication brackets from a lot of different manufacturers, especially for anything Jeep, that save a huge amount of time.

Usually the biggest hassle in doing this kind of work is figuring out the steering. The less that you have to alter the existing Jeep steering set up, the better. If the axle for the front that you want to install is quite a bit different, then you can also add the cost of a new tie rod, drag link, steering knuckles onto an already expensive project. This is one of the reasons finding a Dana 44 from an older Jeep is a boon as the steering requires very little messing with.

If you do get serious about doing this, post it here or PM me and I'll start doing more research into alternatives and solutions for you so that you have a better idea of the price of this.

The price I quoted is probably less than half what a shop would cost.

Here is the link to the thread I posted on this site regarding the Rodeo 44 to Jeep axle swap:

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3145

[Aaron]

Very good info. I'll probably think more about it once I crap all over my first D35 Axle which from what I read, might not be too long.

As an alternative, have you heard any good things about the super 35 kit? I've heard they basically get you somewhere between a D44 and a D35 with a lot less hassle.

[JeepersCreepers]

Hey Josh

Either Jon, Bear, or I will be happy to do the swap for you. PM any one of us as to you time frame and $$ and let us know. I can source one for you out of a yard here in town. Just give me a heads up. I think that Jon and I are going to do a little boneyarding when he is in town Friday. I will do a prelimary looksee when we are there and get some prices..

Sounds like a plan to me! I know of a couple of junkyards here in the springs. I just don't have the time to get to any of them. I know that denver area also has a few Upull and Pays where parts are pretty cheap. But I'll definately take you up on the offer to have the axle swap done when I have the time and $$$.

[Roostercruiser]

those little 258 staight sixs are darn near bullet proof. nice build so far:)

[Brody]

Very good info. I'll probably think more about it once I crap all over my first D35 Axle which from what I read, might not be too long.

As an alternative, have you heard any good things about the super 35 kit? I've heard they basically get you somewhere between a D44 and a D35 with a lot less hassle.

To a degree 'polishing a turd' isn't a bad analogy (I loved that BTW! Never heard it before..LMAO here!) ,but the 'super 35' kits are a stop gap measure. I know people on this site and other wheelers that wheel hard with the 35 and have never broken anything in it. I know people that have used the super 35 kit and swear by it. I personally don't like the Dana 30 or 35 axles and feel like they are a very weak axle. I have broken Dana 35s in my Jeep(when I had one) once to the point of blowing out the king pins on one side. And, let me tell you, there is nothing in the world as fun as replacing an axle and king pins on a hill, in the winter, in a relatively remote location...

I would throw some extra Dana 35 parts in the rig when you wheel. There are bunches at the yards. Save your money for an axle upgrade, but learn how to replace the axles. It goes really fast...I think there are less than 15 bolts, including the lug nuts, that you have to take off.

[Aaron]

I personally polish my turds with a tumbler. A bit messy but boy do they come out shiny.

Brody, thanks for the info. I think I will be doing some research on how to change out the axles on the Jeep. Any suggested reading (online or not)?

[Brody]

Brody, thanks for the info. I think I will be doing some research on how to change out the axles on the Jeep. Any suggested reading (online or not)?

I'll see what I can turn up. I'll be able to do this tomorrow AM...

[WINKY]

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-polishing-a-turd.html

[Aaron]

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-polishing-a-turd.html

That is priceless.

[Brody]

Here is some axle swap information for you:

Ford 8.8 rear :

http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/Axle+and+Locker+Technical+Archives/FORD-88-Axle-Swap/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/261419

http://www.jeepsonly.com/How_Tos/Drive_Train/

Best axle swaps:

http://jp.automotive.com/81577/154-0610-jeep-wrangler-axle-swap/index.html

Early Bronco (Ford 9"/Dana 44 front):

http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=261449

And a nice one from ILOVEJEEPS.com:

ever axle swap is going to take some modifacation. check this link out it tells about a few diffrent kinds of axles swaps for your jeep

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/convaxle/d44f.html

The most popular front axle candidates are:
Dana 44 from Wagoneer 1975-1979
Dana 44 from Scout II 1975-1980
Dana 44 from Chevy Blazer or truck

The most popular rear axle candidates are:

Dana 44 from a Grand Wagoneer 1987-1991
Dana 44 from a Scout II
Ford 8.8" from an explorer with disc brakes
ford 9 '

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/axle/Ford8.8/97.html

there isan't a cheap bolt on solution. just isan't. You can get bolt on heavy duty axles but its very exspencive. Me personally from what i have read and done I would say that the easyest swap would be a dana 44 from a grand wagoneer on the front and then a ford 8.8 on the back. I know you can find the wagoneer axles for about 200-400 bucks and not much mods to make it work on your jeep and then ford 8.8 are about 350-550 complete if your paying more then that your getting ripped off. thats about all the info i can give you.


From Pete..
This gives you some ideas, at any rate....you do have a lot of options, but, as usual, it depends on the budjet....

[greenramp]

I can give you all sorts of advice on what to put into your Jeep and I will start by saying NOT to use a D44 unless you have one already or someone is giving you one for free. ring gear is too small to invest your hard earned money into (8.25") if you are strapped for cash I would do the 8.8 as suggested or a Model 20 from a Late CJ wide track. If the model 20 is built right it is stronger than the 8.8 and a 9" as well. Parts are cheaper and it is easy to build yourself.

I had one in my CJ with chromoly shafts, Detroit locker, welded tubes, disk brake conversion, trussed and ran 38's on a 7" lift for 8 years. Took me through the Rubicon (http://www.rubicon-trail.com/), Naches Pass (http://www.aworc.com/orv-area/Naches-Wagon-Trail.html), Evans Creek (http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=Evans+Creek&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=IZXzSePYMZqQswOcqJn5Cg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#q=Evans+Creek&hl=en&emb=0)(love this trail), to name a few with no problems.

Just my :2c: but trail proven.

reminds me... I'll find some old pics of the CJ and post them up.

[Brody]

Thanks Joe! I think that the Dana 44 was more for the front vs the rear, though I did mention getting both from an older Jeep. There are better rear axles for sure, which is why the 9" and Dana 44 combo from an older Bronco seems like a fairly easy swap especially if you booty all the steering stuff from the Bronco when you are grabbing the axles...

This is the kind of stuff people need to listen to and research before doing any of this. Be one thing if you had a 74 or so Cherokee sitting somewhere with a trashed engine or tranny and needed a home for the axles....Bunch of Broncos and early Ford PUs at Colorado Auto Parts...Ditto with early straight axle Chevy and Dodges. At $125-150 per axle, end to end, plus extra steering crapola, it isn't a bad way to go $$ wise..Width would be the issue as getting axles and housings cut down costs big $$...

[Funrover]

Thanks Joe! I think that the Dana 44 was more for the front vs the rear, though I did mention getting both from an older Jeep. There are better rear axles for sure, which is why the 9" and Dana 44 combo from an older Bronco seems like a fairly easy swap especially if you booty all the steering stuff from the Bronco when you are grabbing the axles...

This is the kind of stuff people need to listen to and research before doing any of this. Be one thing if you had a 74 or so Cherokee sitting somewhere with a trashed engine or tranny and needed a home for the axles....Bunch of Broncos and early Ford PUs at Colorado Auto Parts...Ditto with early straight axle Chevy and Dodges. At $125-150 per axle, end to end, plus extra steering crapola, it isn't a bad way to go $$ wise..Width would be the issue as getting axles and housings cut down costs big $$...


Is that price for a complete axle? I am wanting to 4WD my 65

[Brody]

Is that price for a complete axle? I am wanting to 4WD my 65

Yup. $125 with drum brakes, $150 for disc brakes...end to end price. I thought that that was really good, myself. Let me know what you are specifically looking for, make, model, year and I'll do a look for ya...PM me on this...so many posts now (and thread jacks...myself included) that I have a hard time keeping up...

[JeepersCreepers]

I would throw some extra Dana 35 parts in the rig when you wheel. There are bunches at the yards. Save your money for an axle upgrade, but learn how to replace the axles. It goes really fast...I think there are less than 15 bolts, including the lug nuts, that you have to take off.[/QUOTE]

I guess since I'm running on a dana 35 in my rear axle I should get some spare axle parts as well. But i also need to learn how to do it. Of course that is until I have the time and $$$ to do my 8.8 swap.

[Brody]

I would throw some extra Dana 35 parts in the rig when you wheel. There are bunches at the yards. Save your money for an axle upgrade, but learn how to replace the axles. It goes really fast...I think there are less than 15 bolts, including the lug nuts, that you have to take off.

I guess since I'm running on a dana 35 in my rear axle I should get some spare axle parts as well. But i also need to learn how to do it. Of course that is until I have the time and $$$ to do my 8.8 swap.[/QUOTE]

You tend to break the front axles more than anything else on the Jeeps. You break the c clips on the rears before the axle goes. Good idea to get spare FRONT axle parts and at some point, do a c clip eliminator kit in the rear. These are a PITA to replace on the trail. The front axles, if you can get the full side minus the calipers, do so, because you have just cut your replacement time down to way less than an hour...

If you don't do the c clip kit, go to the recovery site I posted in the Tech Or How To section and get dialed into how to get your rig off the trail (driving) when you have broken a c clip. Your axle will walk completely out of the housing, wheel and all, if this breaks. If you can't find it, post and I'll shoot you the link..