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Ford 8.8 Swap

xCWolf

Bring the Boom
NAXJA Member
Location
Boston
So I'm finally starting to order parts for my ford 8.8 swap (I have the axle already from a 2005 explorer) My big question is what I need for brake lines and adapters


I've been looking through a ton of threads but there seems to be some conflicting information.



I understand I'll need a flange adapter and swap kit.



I have NO brake lines right now on this axle.


Can anyone tell me what specific lines I need? I understand I need soft line from XJ to hard line and hard line to calipers so there's three lines, and two cables for the parking brake. Anyone that has done this before do you remember what you used to adapt it up? I'd like to be able to pull all my info from one source as opposed to 3-4 different threads.


Thanks!
 
When I did mine I used bulk hard line and custom bent and flared it myself and added the fittings. I put my T on the top of the diff where the Ford 8.8 had the Antiloc break switch I think. That is where I put my axle Breather and brake line T fitting. I used the Rough Country Suspension 89703 Brake Line. It’s the extended soft rear brake line and is 25 inches long and was long enough to reach from my uniframe mount to the top of the diff with my 4” of lift. For the soft lines at each caliper I reused the Passenger side (I think) and then another Dorman H380528 Hydraulic Brake Hose for the other side.

I have a 1991 so I was able to use my original parking brake cables by adding the Flop Shop ford 8.8 brake cable adapter. As I understand it the 97 and newer XJ will need ZJ park brake cables to work.
 
When you make your own hard lines I highly recommend the Titan Tools 51535 3/16-Inch Double Flaring Tool. I think it is a copy of the Eastwood version but a few dollars cheaper and works really well for double flaring your own brake lines much better than those crappy multi sized flaring kits the hardware or parts stores sale. This one is also small enough to carry in your tool box so if you happen to brake a hard line on the trail you can use it and a couple extra fitting to repair and hard line brake on the trail.
 
When I did my swap I just got some of the swap parts from East Coast Gear Supply

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-130046-axle-swap-parts-ford-8-8-parts.html

Like the brake line kit

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-4985622-ford-8-8-brake-line-kit.html


You can get the flange yoke from Amazon or other places - https://www.amazon.com/Spicer-2-2-1379-Flange-Yoke/dp/B00GAPJQAE

it is Spicer T2-2-1379A

If you are getting your driveshaft redone, the driveshaft shop should have the flange and install it.

Of course parts like the perches, shock mounts etc can be gotten from a bunch of different places.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/88SS-31.html

https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/product/xj-ford-88-axle-swap-kit-w-truss.html

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Jeep-XJ-MJ-Ford-88-Axle-Swap-Kit_p_827.html

https://mountainoffroad.com/products/ford-8-8-axle-swap-kit-84-01-cherokee

When I welded on my shock mounts I placed them even with the tube, so they were not hanging down, like the stock XJ shock mounts. Because of this I needed to get shorter shocks. - So that could be a possibility based on where you weld your new shock mounts onto the axle.

I ended up trussing my 8.8 as well.

20507275_10154835350237066_6550320467176455557_o_zpshibvt1bx.jpg
 
I just did my swap a few months ago...
I welded the tubes to the diff chunk
Bought perches and factory style shock mounts from Barnes
Used my same soft line (extended factory style) from Jeep to oem vent hole on driver tube of the 8.8 (it screwed right in with the 8.25 breather vent)
I had issues with the flaring tool I rented so had a local shop make me custom stainless flex lines that run from the t block to the calipers (because I'm lazy)
I haven't set up the e brake yet but my 96 I plan to wrap the cable around the actuator and cable crimp it with the factory cables.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
You can usually buy pre-flared brake lines with fittings installed at most any parts stores. Cant remember which length I bought but you can bend them however you need, they come straight, also I used the Ruffcountry stainless braided line mentioned above. I can remember but i think i had to cut the outer flare off and put a standard flare on and new fitting to adapt to the wheel cylinders on the Ford axle (I have a drum equipped 8.8) and the factory XJ parking brake cables worked without modification (once again, i have drums).
 
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