The right ford 8.8 axle?

[RangerRick]

You have a WIDE-TRACK axle in the 85 CJ. If you narrow the 8.8, it will be a perfect match and no wheel spacers needed. RangerRick

 

[Cheepjeep85]

Your not wasting anyones time that's what were here for. I believe most everybody understands, things change when there are so many option for "upgrading". Researching is the best thing you can do before starting any build, especially your first.

Sent from my DROID2

 

[fzsk4p]

I hope that my continuation w this project doesn't waste anyones time, but please understand that with this being my first build of this magnitude things will change as I go along. As I pick up more information from you guys I research those ideas and then decide on to continue w/ this direction or chose a diff path based on members feed back or suggestion. Beleive me the last thing I want to do is waste Anyones time, as I know how valuable time is. As far as the d30 being narrower the the f 88, cant I run diff off sets for the rims or use spacers? Now I have the 88 at home I'm trying to track down the right motor trans combo. So I'm open to suggestions to research and make a decision. The combo is going to need enough power to turn min 35" tires and to handle some fairly tough off roading. Again thanks for all those who have taken the time to reply.

You have a WIDE-TRACK axle in the 85 CJ. If you narrow the 8.8, it will be a perfect match and no wheel spacers needed. RangerRick

Your not wasting anyones time that's what were here for. I believe most everybody understands, things change when there are so many option for "upgrading". Researching is the best thing you can do before starting any build, especially your first.

Sent from my DROID2

Dano, you are over thinking this IMHO. The extra 1 3/4 width will not be noticeable. In fact, narrowing will now mean mandatory custom shafts. Another thing you do not need.

If it bothers you that much then you could use the different offfset wheels
Or even add a spacer to the front axle.

Just run it. My YJ has been mismatched for 4 years now. Nobodies knew till now.

 

[Old Dog]

In fact, narrowing will now mean mandatory custom shafts. Another thing you do not need.

Or even add a spacer to the front axle.

Just run it. My YJ has been mismatched for 4 years now. Nobodies knew till now.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the front axle wider on a YJ than a CJ. by about 4"

If you narrow it to take two pass side axles as Ranger Rick did, you still run stock axles. But they are the wrong bolt patteren so getting one from a jy and just putting it in is not an option. You would have to carry a redrilled shaft.

IMO wheel spacers on the front is a bad idea.

 

[Dano12771]

Seems like a lot for a few inches. I'd rather leave it as is and possibly up grade the front to a Dana 44 later if necessary.

 

[Dano12771]

I have to agree w/ fzsk4p. Like I said seems like a lot of work for a few inches. Offsetting rims along w/ not having to buy custom shafts or having the wrong bolt pattern seems like a great solution.

 

[Old Dog]

The 8.8 has a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern and your cj has 5 on 5 1/2 pattern, so you either have to redrill the stock shafts or buy custom with the right pattern.

 

[Dano12771]

Thanks for the info. I believe superior offers a super 88 kit that would solve that issue. It's either that or buy 2 ford rear rims and 2 jeep rims for the front. Also just wanted to thank everyone who has been contributing to my r&d jeep build. Very helpful info. Keep it coming. Again thanks

 

[fzsk4p]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the front axle wider on a YJ than a CJ. by about 4"

If you narrow it to take two pass side axles as Ranger Rick did, you still run stock axles. But they are the wrong bolt patteren so getting one from a jy and just putting it in is not an option. You would have to carry a redrilled shaft.

IMO wheel spacers on the front is a bad idea.

The 8.8 has a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern and your cj has 5 on 5 1/2 pattern, so you either have to redrill the stock shafts or buy custom with the right pattern.

Right on OldDog. The YJ is about 60 inches. And yes running a spacer in the front is not a bright idea. People do it though.

My HP44 came from my late uncles `78 F250. We narrowed it to 61 inches. Took the inner C`s off and rotated them back to a 5* positive caster once the pinion angle was set.
The 8.8 came out to 61 inches with the Moser 7750 ends on it. I ran 1 inch spacers that moved the WMS out to 63 inches. So I was a tad wider in the rear. Used Moser 31 spline 5 on 5 1/2 axles.

The stock axles are indeed 5 on 4 1/2. IMHO redrilling to 5 on 5 1/2 weakens the axle flange to much. Simply too much metal is removed.

Off the shelf 31 spline aftermarket axles with a 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern are very common. With the standard width. Start narrowing and you have a chance of creating custom length and bolt pattern shafts. The aftermarket shafts benefit from a thicker axle flange which is a plus.

Before, my wheels were 8 inches wide with 4 inches of backspacing. When I went to the 10 wide beadlocks. They had the same 4 inch backspacing but the offset increased. Which made the Jeep to wide to fit on the trailer with the 63 inch wide 8.8. ........61 inches with 7750`s plus 2 x 1 inch spacers...........So by taking the spacers off the rear is now the same width as the front. Whereas before the rear was wider.

Thanks for the info. I believe superior offers a super 88 kit that would solve that issue. It's either that or buy 2 ford rear rims and 2 jeep rims for the front. Also just wanted to thank everyone who has been contributing to my r&d jeep build. Very helpful info. Keep it coming. Again thanks

Dano, the Superior kit is a wonderful but comes as a kit. Shafts, ends etc. It will ADD 1.9 inches (my buddy designed the kit for Superior) to EACH side. I do not think you wan to go this route unless you want about 63 inches of WMS.

2 choices. Simply get a set of Moser standard length 31 spline 5 on 5 1/2 axles and call it good.

Narrow it and install the 7750 ends and have custom length shafts made.

But you are doing the right thing. Looking ahead at the front axle.

 

[Old Dog]

I agree with the idea of just buying a set of moser shafts to keep it as narrow as possable. It should go good with a waggie 44 front.

 

[Dano12771]

All this talk about the Dana 44 has got my mind moving. The only thing is I feel in my area (Toledo Ohio) they might be hard to come by and fairly pricey. Any suggestions on years to look for? I'm just thinking out loud I haven't really looked into them as far as what years to look for? But I'm still in my r&d so I'm just testing the waters.

 

[fzsk4p]

All this talk about the dana44 has got my mind moving. The only thing is I feel in my area (Toledo Ohio) they might be hard to come by and fairly pricey. Any suggestions on years to look for? I'm just thinking out loud I haven't really looked into them as far as what years to look for? But I'm still in my r&d so I'm just testing the waters.

The Dana 44 Bible.
Mr.N's Dana Articles to Include 44, 60 information.

 

[Dano12771]

Def going to check out the site. Thanks

 

[coldair]

Here is some good info ive found when i was thinking about putting a V8 in a ford ranger. Ford Ranger Rear Axles - The Ranger Station

 

[coldair]

I know im bring back a old thread but thought i would put this up.

 

[RangerRick]

One more thing I have to point out to those interested in the 8.8 is that you can get dual bolt pattern axle shafts for the 8.8 without converting it into a non C clip axle. Yukon 4130 Chromo axle shafts are available from Randy's R & P at a reasonable cost so drilling and bolt pattern problems can be handled with one phone call. A pair of Yukon shafts are a whole lot less $$$ than the C clip eliminator kits out there and don't add any extra track width to this axle. Don't get me wrong here, not saying you shouldn't get the super 88 kit but saying there are alternative ways of getting 5x5.5 bolt pattern and upgrading axle shaft material at the same time.

RangerRick