8.8 time

Well after a long day Tony and I got the 8.8 installed

We didn't run into any serious problems. The test drive went great! got the rear disc brakes working well
With just a slight leak at one of the rear calipers. (bad copper washer).

My photos came out bad from my cell phone. Tony took a few we will see how they came out.

BTW: buy lots of gear oil if you are doing this swap! I'm glad Tony had extra

ha ha.....The Dana 35 looks like a go-cart axle next to the 8.8

Guess I can go more in dept on the install

I called Tony in the morning to make sure he could still do the swap.
I met him over at his shop. and we cleaned off a spot to work.

He got the 8.8 axle out of my trailer and we backed the Jeep in.

Removal of the old axle was simple the only thing I did special was to
save the parking brake lines and the flex line dropping from the frame to the axle.

We mocked up the 8.8 with spring plates and set it into place. Then after setting the pinion angle
Tony tack welded the spring plates and shock mounts into place.

We then removed the axle and Tony started welding the spring perches and shock mounts on. We also set up the
brackets for the brake lines and welded them on.

Tony also welded the axle tubes to the housing to keep it from spinning.

We then reinstalled the axle and bolted it into place.

I installed a new u joint and plate to match the axle to the drive shaft.

Note: I chose to move the axle 1" to the rear giving me a longer wheel base. We needed to (modify) the top plate to allow the
spring pin to clear. Tony has a plasma cutter so this didn't take too long.

We then made the new brake lines and bled the brakes.

Tony reinstalled the tires and we got it off the jack stands

I then filled the Diff, with oil.
I then filled the Diff, with oil.
I then filled the Diff, with oil.
I then filled the Diff, with oil.

Out for a test drive ...

No problems! it drove well, Stopped well and even worked great in 4WD

I'll give it a few days to see if any bugs pop up but for now it was a smooth swap.

Still to work on

Parking brakes

Anti wrap bar

Brake washer

today was the best day I have had wrenching in a long time! It made me remember why I like doing this stuff hope all stays well and today was pretty smooth

spring over is just in the rear and we did it years ago

Quote from yankee19934

so u put the stock springs back on?

I am only sprung over in the rear. I did it a few years back after I broke a spring.
I an running a stock Yj spring pack with a long leaf added.

The front is still sprung under with 4" leaf springs and a 1.5" shackle lift to level it out.