axle help dana 30 and ford 8.8

[carlock4sail]

Hello, I just started posting today, mostly to get some much needed input on my 71 cj build. The Help I need has to do with my axle set up. I have purchased a ford 8.8 axle with posi, 31 splines, and disc brakes. As well as a 79 cj front Dana 30 with disc brakes.
The differance in wheel mounting to wheel mounting is 6.5 inches! I knew this was gonna be fun getting into it but I am not sure just how "FUN".
I want a wider jeep, and really won't be doing much as far as off road, or even daily driving, just cruisin on weekends. Mostly used in 2 wheel drive or 4wd in random snow for fun
SO...
Can I correct the difference in length with wheel back spacing?
Should I look into a wider front axle?
would a 85 cj wide track axle be worth the extra 3" in width?
big one, what diff gears for this would be good with 35-38 inch tires and a 351 v8 just to drive around town and short highway trips?

I am also on a budget and don't really want to get into expensive shortening custom axles... unless its gonna be a huge benifit!

Build thread for jeep:http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/71-cj5-build-8298/

 

[Old Dog]

IMHO It's best to keep the front a little wider like the factory does for handling. So I think if you leave the 8.8 at the stock 59.5" wide your best front would be a waggie NT at app. 61" wide.
If you are keeping your Dana 30 , is there some reason to get rid of your rear Dana 44 other than width?
Maybe just get some wide trak axles for an 82-86 cj. probally the cheapest way.
I would run somewhere between 4:10's & 4:88's depending on what size tire you end up with.

 

[Old Dog]

Hello

I am also on a budget and don't really want to get into expensive shortening custom axles... unless its gonna be a huge benifit!

The 8.8 isn't going to be that cheap to swap unless you have good fab skills.

 

[carlock4sail]

yeah, looking back on what I have decided to do I should have kept the rear axle... But its sold, so the wagoneer axle seams to be a good choice, what years were good for the swap?

 

[Old Dog]

yeah, looking back on what I have decided to do I should have kept the rear axle... But its sold, so the wagoneer axle seams to be a good choice, what years were good for the swap?

IIRC 70's to early 80's had pass. side drop. Again though it's NOT a simple bolt in. (not gona be cheap)

 

[carlock4sail]

Thanks OLD DOG, I realize cheap is relative at this point, I picked up the jeep for 700 bucks and have already put in a grand and have probably another 5 or 6 to go! I have been reading about possible outboarding and moving perches and finding the correct angles, just gonna have to take my time and start to make sure I plan things out. thanks for the input!

 

[Petescj]

Take time out and figure out exactly what you want out of your Jeep. Then throw that plan away and plan for what you can afford. Honestly though , plan it out and get a good "base". By "base" I mean a set up that you can upgrade more along the way or a set up that will work for you while your building what you want outside the Jeep.

I picked up the jeep for 700 bucks. Just gonna have to take my time and start to make sure I plan things out. thanks for the input!

Sounds eerily familiar to what I did only mine was $100 cheaper. If you havent read glaze over my 2 yr. thread and learn from mistakes I made. Ten check it out over the next 5 years till its finished.

 

[Old Dog]

I picked up the jeep for 700 bucks and have already put in a grand and have probably another 5 or 6 to go! I have been reading about possible outboarding and moving perches and finding the correct angles, just gonna have to take my time and start to make sure I plan things out. thanks for the input!

I just never know when someone says they are on a budget.
Everytime you start moding a jeep it turns into "one thing after another"
and a lot of half finished jeeps end up setting in a barn for years.
Your on the right trak to do as much reading as you can. Google will be your friend, as there are a lot of writeups on both these swaps.
The waggie is a Dana 44 by the way so it's better than the 30 for the big tires you want to run.
Your biggest cost will be gearing both axles.

 

[carlock4sail]

Ok, well if I decide to ditch the Dana 30 and go 44 I gotta find an axle to fit, now it seems the 79 cherokee had Dana 44 axles but from what I can find they came in wide or narrow ? They all had discs? I found one on car-parts.com at a yard about 2 hours away, which I will be conveniently going by to visit family on friday. I don't know much about the axle beside the fact it is a 79 with 3.07 gearing, Is this a good canidate for $250. being said I know I am gonna hafta outboard springs.

 

[Old Dog]

The waggies had a NT which was app. 61" wide.
The chief had a WT that goes app. 65" wide, I'm sure you would want to cut it down some.
Heres a good read Don't Use a Wagoneer Front Axle - Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler Forums