Installing a Ford 8.8 axle into a Jeep Grand Cherokee
Started by stripping off the 8.8s leaf spring brackets
Stripping down the tubes to get them as clean as possible.
I Ground down the housing & TIG welded the tubes completely...
I set the pinion at 11* and the Spring Perches 0*
Spring Perch welded...
UCA Supported and welded with 3/16” plate for gussets to keep them from twisting or bending under stress.
Hammerite Paint found at Home Depot, I used 2 cans.
Since I had a new axle assembly, the caliper and rotors came with it, but not the brake lines. I picked up an extended rear brake line from a Rubicon Express vendor, P/N RE1515 and I purchased a Ford Explorer disc brake conversion hose kit from Currie Enterprises, P/N 6013, it comes with hoses, banjo bolts, and weld on retaining clips to hold the end of the line in place on the axle tubes. From here I hand bent all of my brake lines down the tubes and over the Center section. You will also need the adapter flange for the Drive shaft to the Pinion Spicer P/N 2-2-1379. Flange bolts are also needed which are 12mm x 1.75 thread 12 point, Ford P/N N800594-S100, or go down the OSH and pick them up in grade 8.
The 8.8 is 5/8” narrower per side than the D35C, so I ordered Wheel Studs from ARP.
These studs are too long and to be cut down about 3/8“ to get the correct length with a 5/8“Aluminum wheel spacer. The Knurl is also a hair to big to fit into the 31spline shafts, I put the bolts into a drill press to spin them much like a lathe and took a file to the Knurl, you must be careful here as to not take the knurl down to small, ideally you want the knurl .005” larger than the hole its going into for a nice pressed fit. Pull the cross shaft out of the carrier and push the axle shafts into the center and pull each ones C-clip, then slide each shaft out. I took the shaft to a vise and knocked out the factory bolts with a hammer, once the knurl is turned down hammer them into the shafts completely to seat them, you could also use a lug nut and an impact to pull the stud into its seat.
Once the studs are in reinstall the axles, C-clips and Cross shaft. Reinstall the Rotors and now for the spacers.
Finally I put the wheels and tires back on, and torque them down, then I took an angle cut off wheel and knocked off the ends of the studs easily.
After thoughts,
This is the best MOD to my Jeep YET. The 35C leaves you so unsettled when wheeling its not even funny. Knowing what I have out back and let me enjoy myself much more off-road.
The 8.8 did get Motive Gears and a No Spin Detroit & man do I love it!
Thanks for viewing…
AprilzWarrior
Links:
Spacers: http://www.stagewest4x4.com/
Studs: http://www.arp-bolts.com/
8.8: http://www.arielgears.com/
Locker/Gears: http://www.ring-pinion.com/
Brake Parts:
http://alljeepproducts.com/
http://www.currieenterprises.com/