poorboy87
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Linton Indiana
I did this swap several months ago so I figured it was time to do a write up on it.
My D35 bit the dust finally so in came the 8.25. Nothing fancy just a 3.55 open diff 29 spline. Got it from the jeep junkyard.
It needed all new brakes and drums so I called the junkyard back and had them pull all the disc brake stuff off a liberty. It was cheaper than all new drum brake stuff.
Pulled all the drum brake stuff off the axle and knocked the studs out that held the backing plates on. The disc brackets are thicker than the drum. So when you pull your parts off the liberty grab those as well.
The next issue I ran into was the wheel studs. The disc is thicker than the drum at the bolt holes. There won't be enough thread to put the wheels on safely.
My solution was my trusty spares pile.
The front hubs have longer studs for the front discs.
So after I got the brackets on and the studs in the axle it yielded me this.
The next issue I had was the rear brake lines. I had the ones off the liberty but I couldn't get them to work. So I went to the parts store and had them order me two right rear brake hoses for a 99 ford explorer.
I then ran all new lines to my factory rear brake hose with this fancy tool.
The ford hoses worked out great and they have a place to bolt the hose down under the factory leaf perch
Sorry the pictures not the greatest.
After it was all done if looked like this.
Yes I used the junkyard rotors. It was cheaper that way. I turned them at work. One of them is still slightly warped. I can feel it in the petal. I did not put the parking brake in there because the shoes were like $40 bucks and if never use them anyway. I did keep all the hardware and cables if I change my mind.
Overall I'm very happy with the swap. It does stop a little firmer in the rear so you may consider a different proportioning valve. I've had it this way for about three months and I'm used to it now. I'm going to leave my factory valve in it. My brake petal does feel firmer than it ever has.
My D35 bit the dust finally so in came the 8.25. Nothing fancy just a 3.55 open diff 29 spline. Got it from the jeep junkyard.
It needed all new brakes and drums so I called the junkyard back and had them pull all the disc brake stuff off a liberty. It was cheaper than all new drum brake stuff.
Pulled all the drum brake stuff off the axle and knocked the studs out that held the backing plates on. The disc brackets are thicker than the drum. So when you pull your parts off the liberty grab those as well.
The next issue I ran into was the wheel studs. The disc is thicker than the drum at the bolt holes. There won't be enough thread to put the wheels on safely.
My solution was my trusty spares pile.
The front hubs have longer studs for the front discs.
So after I got the brackets on and the studs in the axle it yielded me this.
The next issue I had was the rear brake lines. I had the ones off the liberty but I couldn't get them to work. So I went to the parts store and had them order me two right rear brake hoses for a 99 ford explorer.
I then ran all new lines to my factory rear brake hose with this fancy tool.
The ford hoses worked out great and they have a place to bolt the hose down under the factory leaf perch
Sorry the pictures not the greatest.
After it was all done if looked like this.
Yes I used the junkyard rotors. It was cheaper that way. I turned them at work. One of them is still slightly warped. I can feel it in the petal. I did not put the parking brake in there because the shoes were like $40 bucks and if never use them anyway. I did keep all the hardware and cables if I change my mind.
Overall I'm very happy with the swap. It does stop a little firmer in the rear so you may consider a different proportioning valve. I've had it this way for about three months and I'm used to it now. I'm going to leave my factory valve in it. My brake petal does feel firmer than it ever has.
