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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 :lol:

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.

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