Welding a 8.8 swap kit with a 110V wire feed welder

[nondem]

The title says it...is it a stupid idea? I've got a Lincoln Weld-pack 88 amp wirefeed welder. It is supposed to be good for welding up to 1/8" thick steel.
I've had it for over 10 years but only used maybe 1-2 rolls of wire through it. That is the totality of my welding experience however I have watched a lot of welding-related youtube vids

With the price for used D44s these days I'm thinking of sourcing a junkyard 8.8 and one of the adapter kits. It only makes sense if I can do the welding myself.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I don't see a 110v mig welder being anywhere near adequate for that particular job.

 

[P man]

I don't see a 110v mig welder being anywhere near adequate for that particular job.

Not even close..OP this isn't the job for that welder and with your lack of experience welding I would definitely farm this job out.

You can use that welder to tack everything and then remove and have it welded.

 

[nondem]

Understood...that's what I kinda figured but had to ask. I was also thinking I could maybe get everything positioned properly and tacked and then haul the axle to a "real" welder to be finished.
The more I read, the more a 8.8 seems less than ideal anyway and the axle is cheap but then you have to spend to get it to work.
I think I'll end up easiest just to buy a Dana 44 from a junked TJ so it'll bolt up.

 

[Vtx531]

With the price for used D44s these days

What are you seeing them go for? I just bought a Dana 44 to spruce up and swap into my Jeep but my current axles are good mechanically with lots of new parts so maybe I'll sell it if they are going for a lot of money.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

What are you seeing them go for? I just bought a Dana 44 to spruce up and swap into my Jeep but my current axles are good mechanically with lots of new parts so maybe I'll sell it if they are going for a lot of money.

I paid $550 for mine in 2017 so that's probably like $4000 in today's dollars.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I paid $550 for mine in 2017 so that's probably like $4000 in today's dollars.

A 14 bolt would be a lot cheaper….

….what?

 

[mrblaine]

A 14 bolt would be a lot cheaper….

….what?

One of the most expensive things anyone ever gave me was a set of 37" MTR's. I still don't know if I've finished paying off all those cost me.

 

[nondem]

Straight up used ones seem to be $1200-$1400 from a business...I've seen some drum brake ones go for $650ish on the book of faces Marketplace.
"Rebuilt" ones look to be $2400ish but I'm not sure I trust the ones I see selling rebuilt ones.

 

[P man]

What are you seeing them go for? I just bought a Dana 44 to spruce up and swap into my Jeep but my current axles are good mechanically with lots of new parts so maybe I'll sell it if they are going for a lot of money.

I see them from 5-900 dollars depending on lockers or lack of..I would much rather see the op go that route as opposed to the 8.8 but that's just my opinion and others will vary

 

[P man]

Straight up used ones seem to be $1200-$1400 from a business...I've seen some drum brake ones go for $650ish on the book of faces Marketplace.
"Rebuilt" ones look to be $2400ish but I'm not sure I trust the ones I see selling rebuilt ones.

You don't want to buy a dana 44 from a yard they will gouge you. I would look on marketplace or craigslist or offer up.

 

[hosejockey61]

You don't want to buy a dana 44 from a yard they will gouge you. I would look on marketplace or craigslist or offer up.

I find them at the yards and usually pay $120ish. I have sold them consistently at $1000.

 

[Chris]

I think an 8.8 in general is a stupid idea, but what do I know.