MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
You think billavista posted his Dana 60 bible one sentence at a time? Or do you think he gathered all the info and pics over time and posted the info when he had all the known info?
Should I buy this Ford 8.8 axle?
- Thread starter chef_vader
- Start date
jtf440
TJ Enthusiast
The biggest factor in choosing the 8.8 for me was that I could go to the local pick and pull and buy one for 200 bucks that didn't need to be regeared.
MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
Then again I won't swap in stock rubicon 44s from a TJ either. If I'm swapping any stock axles I'll put the money in factory JK axles before the other options.
MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
Then gen 2s though!
Whats your reason for the jk over the tj? I know the ring gear is larger at 8.8” as well as the pinion gear shaft.
MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
I like my rubi 44. Bolt in, not offset, and is plenty strong for what Ive done so far. I need to address a few clearance issues on it though (lower shock mounts). Ive dragged the center diff enough in its current state, the 8.8 would be have held me back plenty. When talking jeeps, I think every fraction of an inch counts, not only in suspension travel, but building too (tummy tuck for example)
MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
Agreed. Around Alabama, Dana 44s can be found for as low as $100. Not all regions are going to find less value in the Dana 44. For example, out West a Dana 44 is plenty so they have a little more value.
Just curious, did you consider a junk yard 14? They are really strong and plenty cheap. Atleast much cheaper than the Currie...what made you lean towards that axle vs the cheap junk yard 14 bolt?
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Lower gears in the Tcase, wide chain upgrade, and the beefier planatiaries could easily add more torque being applied to that rear axle pinoin, ring, axles, and tubes....
So I would say it depends on what you are building your Jeep for. Where you will be wheeling it, West Coast seems to be set on 35s and Dana 44's and youre setup for even some of the more hardcore trails. Deep in the South, where wheel spin and V8 Swaps are common, you will need bigger tires and beefier axles for teh wet slippery rocks.
IMO either option is good. All that really matters is its out in the woods wheeling. I would rather have an 8.8 over the Rubi 44/35.But a Gen 2 Dana 44 is more desirable over both the 8.8 and Gen 1 Dana 44/35.
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MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
I see you Alabama! You know!
Do you run a Dana 35 or 8.8?
Have or did you broke anything on the Dana 35?
Back when me and my brother ran Dana 35s on stock internals, I broke a set of spider gears trying to bump a rock ledge. My brother twisted splines daily driving his lincoln locked stock Dana 35.
While I don't buy in on the Dana 35 stuff, however, I do see that in some regions the Dana 35, when modded with $1500 worth of upgrades (Super 35) is an appropriate axle to run.
But IMO axle swapping and getting away from the Dana 35 is like choosing the 4.0L engine option in the Wrangler over the 2.5L. Sure, the 2.5L has enough power and torque for the Wrangler, but the 4.0L is an upgrade and is more than enough. Will you use all the potential of the 4.0L? Maybe not, but its nice to have, even if you dont need it.
Does that make sense?
The 8.8 vs the Dana 44; each has its pros and cons. It's up to the owner to chose which one he/she wants for his/her application. I have found that usually the 8.8 can be found much cheaper more easily.
MallCrawlOnTons
TJ Enthusiast
W
Ahh okay. So what did you do once you broke the gears?
Upgrade or swap axle assemblies?
What size tire were you running?
I’m running a 35in tire and considering an 8.8 so I can wheel a lot harder.
Ahh okay. So what did you do once you broke the gears?
Upgrade or swap axle assemblies?
What size tire were you running?
I’m running a 35in tire and considering an 8.8 so I can wheel a lot harder.
And just like that.....
The upgrade reason and tire size was finally revealed!