travisk
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fullerton, CA
Let's find out. I'll be the fool trying to replace a Dana 35 in my 1998 Cherokee with a Ford 8.8 rear end with disc brakes, 4.10 gears and limited slip out of a 2000 Ford Explorer.
This may seem like a simple task for a lot of you, but I am less than qualified to complete this axle swap. I've never opened up a rear end, pulled an axle shaft or been particular handy with a cutting wheel. I'm sure this process will be a slow, painful learning experience.
Rather than clog the forum with my idiotic questions, I'll just put them all in this thread.
First, I went hunting for the axle combo I was looking for. I had to look at about 30 Exploders in two junk yards before I found the right combination. Factory 4.10 gears seem to be somewhat rare in these axles, but I wanted to avoid the cost of regearing to match the front. Even though the limited slip is reportedly weak in these axles, I wanted it to hold me over until I can afford an ARB.
Unfortunately, the one I found had already been molested in the junkyard. I scraped up the pieces and took it home. It seems to be in good shape.
Cost: $320 at Pick Your Part by the time I paid for the axle, brake calipers, core charges, environmental fees, recycling fees, sales tax, etc. Ouch
I kept as much of the brake hardware as I could, just in case.
At home, I discovered that all the parts were accounted for except for one clutch plate. That's fine, I was going to order a fresh clutch pack anyway. I found one for $55 shipped on ebay.
I still need to acquire u-bolts, spring perches, shock mounts, one missing brake disk, parking brake connectors, a yoke adapter. I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible, but I'm already at $375. Please don't tell my wife.
While I'm waiting for those parts, it's time to remove the brake lines, re-assemble the carrier and start grinding off the factory brackets.
This may seem like a simple task for a lot of you, but I am less than qualified to complete this axle swap. I've never opened up a rear end, pulled an axle shaft or been particular handy with a cutting wheel. I'm sure this process will be a slow, painful learning experience.
Rather than clog the forum with my idiotic questions, I'll just put them all in this thread.
First, I went hunting for the axle combo I was looking for. I had to look at about 30 Exploders in two junk yards before I found the right combination. Factory 4.10 gears seem to be somewhat rare in these axles, but I wanted to avoid the cost of regearing to match the front. Even though the limited slip is reportedly weak in these axles, I wanted it to hold me over until I can afford an ARB.
Unfortunately, the one I found had already been molested in the junkyard. I scraped up the pieces and took it home. It seems to be in good shape.
Cost: $320 at Pick Your Part by the time I paid for the axle, brake calipers, core charges, environmental fees, recycling fees, sales tax, etc. Ouch
I kept as much of the brake hardware as I could, just in case.
At home, I discovered that all the parts were accounted for except for one clutch plate. That's fine, I was going to order a fresh clutch pack anyway. I found one for $55 shipped on ebay.
I still need to acquire u-bolts, spring perches, shock mounts, one missing brake disk, parking brake connectors, a yoke adapter. I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible, but I'm already at $375. Please don't tell my wife.
While I'm waiting for those parts, it's time to remove the brake lines, re-assemble the carrier and start grinding off the factory brackets.