explorer 8.8 in xj

[Burmonster]

hi
i want to upgrade the rear diff in my xj cherokee. i am thinking about trying a ford 8.8 diff from a explorer. i am hopeing it will be cheaper to buy than a d44 or c8.25, will be very strong, still have the same stud pattern, and have disk brakes!!
the cons are, it isnt done much in australia, and it is slightly shorter than the d35 (about 1-1.5 inches, but thats only 0.75 on each side... maybe spacers/ off set rims/ or just run it??).

has any1 done this in aus?? or know anything about wat to expect??

i know i will have to weld on spring perchs and shock mounts, but i can do that.
wat else would be required to make this work?? i think the driveshaft has to be modified to fit the diff, and a new master cylinder is needed for the disks.

can any1 help me at all?

i looked in the paper, and there is a few ppl wrecking explorers, i havnt called yet to see how much they want, wat would be a reasonable price for the diff?
i am hopeing to get one with 4.1 ratios. iv had a lil look on some american forums, and some explorers came out with 4.1s and a LSD, did aus get these??.
this conversion dosnt look much harder that a d44, and im hopeing it will turn out cheaper.

wat do u rkn??

[Burmonster]

bump. got any opinions?? tips?

[Mur]

It would want to be alot cheaper to make it a better option than an 8.25 or d44.You pointed out most of the problems...
Got any prices yet? I doubt there would be any real price difference.

Your issue with the brakes isn't going to be the master cylinder. The proportioning valve will need changing to ensure you have the right brake balance.

[Hellcat]

I've performed the 8.8 switch on my XJ.

It was relativity painless. I paid $120 for my 8.8 on eBay complete with an explorer tailshaft. Its LSD with 4.1 ratios but I have 4.56 and an ARB locker ready to install. I run my 3.75 BS rims on them with my bushwackers and am visibly / functionally unable to tell that its thinner than the original diff. Works fantastically.

Basically the process was very simple. I bought a kit from know where 2 jeep:
http://www.knowwhere2jeep.com/know-w...erokee-xj.html

Whilst the kit was good, it wasn't perfect. Things that weren't right were:
Hand brake cables are ZJ ones and only work if you have a pre-update model. You can however modify your XJ ones to work.
Shock mounts are not my favourite. I will modify them once I mount my new shocks.


I haven't yet swapped my proportaining valve but the brakes are tonnes better than the d35 drums so its not high on my priority list.

Because of my current exhaust system under flex I get a little bind of tailshaft contact with my muffler.

Would I do it again? Without a doubt, the thing is a monster... The only issue is the pumpkin is massive so you will lose some clearance compared to your d35.

So for me the diff mounted complete with disks on my car has been around about $500 (without the arb locker). I doubt you'll build a d44 / 8.25 for that price.

[Hellcat]

I forgot to mention its probably a good idea to weld your axle tubes into the housing every 90 degrees because the factory plug welds aren't much chop when put under lots of stress.

I put a few pictures in the what did you do to your XJ thread:
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/...postcount=5190

[Mitch]

How many 8.8,s for $120 are left on e.bay?????

[Burmonster]

ah cool, it sounds like it shouldnt be any harder than a d44. i called a few people here in perth, most didnt know much about wat they were selling. no1 knew the ratios...
is there a chart or something that tells the ratios of the explorers for certian years? as for price, a few guys just said "i dunno, a few hundred...".

hellcat, can you remember the year of your diff? and if it was auto or manual?
that kit looks pretty good, did it take long 2 ship 2 aus? (i have a preupdate so brake cables should be ok) wat didnt you like about the shockmounts?
wat tyres are u running on your xj??

2 guys are gonna call me back when they find out their ratios.
thanks
burmonster