tkotitan
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vermont, USA
I am strongly considering swapping out the rear axle this year in my '94 4.0L 2dr XJ SE. It currently has the Chrysler axle but I am sick of drum brakes and will probably have to do rear brakes this year. I figure the 8.8 Axle swap is the cheapest way to get disc brakes and upgrade my rig at the same time.
I am VERY poor right now so everything in my budget must be thoroughly planned well in advance. So I am pleading with you guys to help me think of all the parts and issues needed to do this job so I can cover the cost.
First I need to shop for my part. I currently have 3.07 gears so I will be looking for an 8.8 with 3.08 gears. I have no idea how hard it is to find one in good shape that has those gears and disc brakes. But as I understand it, the info for the axle is usually with the part so the junk yards can help me.
I won't be swapping gears since they match. I have to decide if I want one with a built-in locker or not. I don't do much off-roading anymore, just occasionally on light trails for fun maybe once or twice a year. This is daily driver and I live in Vermont, home of the poorest roads you can imagine - many dirt, always winding, hilly or winding and hilly. And roads are often unevenly paved or even reverse banked. This is my daily driving situation. So I am thinking for comfort (and safety's) sake I should avoid an axle with a locker. Does this make sense? I want responsiveness and smooth handling when I come around a blind hill on a corner.
I know I will need e-brake lines and probably have to buy them separate. What other parts might I need to get the job done, such as hardware connecting to the drive shaft?
My XJ obviously has rear leaf springs. Should I look for an axle that is setup for leafs instead of coils or is that really an issue?
I realize brakes have to be re-setup. As I understand it, the e-brake adjusts the front-to-rear braking balance with every use so is there some trick to keep that working correctly?
Are the any other parts or hardware I will need? Something I am not thinking of?
Lastly, how long should it take an experienced mechanic to do the swap. I figure it's fairly easy with a lift and tools but correct me if I am wrong. I would guesstimate 4 hours labor.
Thanks!
I am VERY poor right now so everything in my budget must be thoroughly planned well in advance. So I am pleading with you guys to help me think of all the parts and issues needed to do this job so I can cover the cost.
First I need to shop for my part. I currently have 3.07 gears so I will be looking for an 8.8 with 3.08 gears. I have no idea how hard it is to find one in good shape that has those gears and disc brakes. But as I understand it, the info for the axle is usually with the part so the junk yards can help me.
I won't be swapping gears since they match. I have to decide if I want one with a built-in locker or not. I don't do much off-roading anymore, just occasionally on light trails for fun maybe once or twice a year. This is daily driver and I live in Vermont, home of the poorest roads you can imagine - many dirt, always winding, hilly or winding and hilly. And roads are often unevenly paved or even reverse banked. This is my daily driving situation. So I am thinking for comfort (and safety's) sake I should avoid an axle with a locker. Does this make sense? I want responsiveness and smooth handling when I come around a blind hill on a corner.
I know I will need e-brake lines and probably have to buy them separate. What other parts might I need to get the job done, such as hardware connecting to the drive shaft?
My XJ obviously has rear leaf springs. Should I look for an axle that is setup for leafs instead of coils or is that really an issue?
I realize brakes have to be re-setup. As I understand it, the e-brake adjusts the front-to-rear braking balance with every use so is there some trick to keep that working correctly?
Are the any other parts or hardware I will need? Something I am not thinking of?
Lastly, how long should it take an experienced mechanic to do the swap. I figure it's fairly easy with a lift and tools but correct me if I am wrong. I would guesstimate 4 hours labor.
Thanks!
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