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good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:39 pm
by kenken1020
Just got a 87 yj with a 4.2 from a 83 cj 7 changed to a ax15 Trans 231 transfer case it has a d30 front 411 with dower trax auto locker a d35 rear with a powertrax locker 411 it has no track bars or sway bars and 31x10.5x15 tires and a 1 1/2 or 2 inch lift is she going to be good on the trails
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:59 pm
by johnsxj
That's a decent set up. Just be careful of how much "right pedal" you use. The D35 axle with a locker and manual transmission is more apt to have an axle shaft snap if pushed too hard on the trails.
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:12 pm
by kenken1020
Should I change the d35 if so to what
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:28 pm
by Kurt
A popular swap is to put in a Ford 8.8 axle from a Ford Explorer.
Virtually the same width, same wheel lug pattern and disc brakes on most of them.
A pretty stout axle! It's what both John and I are running and we aren't gentle with our rigs
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:08 pm
by johnsxj
And if you look around, you can find them with 4.10 gears already!
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:40 pm
by ZAEDOCK
Another option to swapping the entire axle assembly would be to upgrade to alloy axleshafts. I ran a Dana 35 for many years with 33's/35's running Yukon Alloy's. It would live a decent life if you stayed with 31's. If you have the capability though, I'd bet you could find a 4.10 geared Ford 8.8 in the salvage yard for the same price as the alloys (around $200.00 +/-).
I've recently seen a XJ Dana 44 rear that would also swap in and be the correct width. It was on the NEOW forum.
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:33 pm
by kenken1020
How much work is it to change over ford 8.8
Re: good trail rig yes or no
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:04 pm
by Kurt
kenken1020 wrote:How much work is it to change over ford 8.8
Not that much work.
Grind/cut off old perch's & brackets
Weld on new spring perch's at correct pinion angle
If spring over then an anti wrap bar is in order
Some different e-brake cables
Weld on some shock mount tabs.
That's the basics
Fellow club members are always willing to help out with knowledge, help, tools, parts, welders, etc.
Lot's of good info here --->
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/sh ... p?t=371713
A build shot from my 8.8 spring over install from 6+ years ago.