Gear swap? Axle Swap?

MrMiyagi · 12-23-2009, 11:51 PM

So, I'm sort of in the same dilemma here and I'm not too familiar with axle or gear swaps. I have a manual 6 sp. TJ with 33" x 12.5 tires, 4" lift, and 3.07 gearing. I have a dana 30 in the front and a 35 in the rear.

I haven't gotten to do too much off roading, but next summer I'll be using it as my DD as well as doing some light-medium off roading.

So I have a couple options (let me know if there are others):

1. Replace both axles with 4.11 or 4.56 gearing as it would be cheaper than regearing? I'd like to upgrade the axle(s) to D44, but what about the Ford 8.8 or other? I know you can do a direct bolt in from TJ to TJ, but how hard is it to modify the ford 8.8" or other? I would have no idea how to go about doing this or finding the right people to do it for me.

2. Do a gear swap to 4.11 or 4.56 and upgrade my rear axle with a Super 35?

3. I might be looking to some lockers in the future, so I should probably do this at the same time as my axle upgrades...not sure about this though.

arghh....help me out here. Thanks

kb9qdi · 12-24-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMiyagi

So, I'm sort of in the same dilemma here and I'm not too familiar with axle or gear swaps. I have a manual 6 sp. TJ with 33" x 12.5 tires, 4" lift, and 3.07 gearing. I have a dana 30 in the front and a 35 in the rear.

I haven't gotten to do too much off roading, but next summer I'll be using it as my DD as well as doing some light-medium off roading.

So I have a couple options (let me know if there are others):

1. Replace both axles with 4.11 or 4.56 gearing as it would be cheaper than regearing? I'd like to upgrade the axle(s) to D44, but what about the Ford 8.8 or other? I know you can do a direct bolt in from TJ to TJ, but how hard is it to modify the ford 8.8" or other? I would have no idea how to go about doing this or finding the right people to do it for me.

2. Do a gear swap to 4.11 or 4.56 and upgrade my rear axle with a Super 35?

3. I might be looking to some lockers in the future, so I should probably do this at the same time as my axle upgrades...not sure about this though.

arghh....help me out here. Thanks

I just swapped an Aussie locked 8.8 with 4.88's into my 06 TJ from 3.07 and love it. I'll be running 35's with mine. The 8.8 isn't as easy to swap as a RD44 but the 8.8 is a stronger setup. I'd do a locker at the same time when you do the swap.

4.88's with the (NSG 370) 6 speed and 35's are perfect.
4.56's are perfect for 33's. I'm running at 2800 rpms in 6th gear at 65 mph on 33's now. My 35's will only make it better.

A S35 is a good upgrade but I personally wouldn't spend $$ on a D35.

Search (Google) TJ 8.8 swap. Tons of good info on the net. Good Luck!

Trigger · 12-24-2009, 12:32 AM

The 8.8 is probably going to be your best bet for the rear. They are pretty easy to find and most already have disk brakes on them. KennyTJ on here and Muddy Buddys did the swap in his TJ and it wasn't all that difficult. He had his setup for sale, but I'm not sure if he sold it or not. You might want to contact him on that.

You can also try to find someone that has a Rubicon and is swapping out to bigger stuff, but that's probably not going to be real easy. I'm sure there are some folks on Pirate that are selling stuff like that.

As for folks to help you out, or do it for you. There are a few around. I'm more familiar with Dayton that I am Cincy, but I'm sure someone down there can give you a hand. Bottom line, if you're going to spend the time and money to upgrade, there's no sense in polishing the turds that are the stock axles.

Coppertop · 12-24-2009, 08:58 AM

It's best to upgrade both axles at the same time.I love my 4.88 gears on 35 tires. To save money, you may consider keeping the front dana 30 axle.. It will handle tires up to 35's and stay together if your light on the skinny pedal.

I would not spend any money on a dana 35.

Good Luck

Nick

Go Bengals!WHO-DEY!!!

jfiscus · 12-24-2009, 09:14 AM

I would also suggest the 8.8 upgrade, an already geared 8.8 should be easy to find at a decent price, then buy the kit & if you do not have buddies able to help install it, I'm sure someone like Armstrong Automotive can do it for you.

You may also consider a HP D30 if you can find one from an XJ with 4.10s for cheap. regearing to a 4.10 or higher requires a different carrier IIRC.

MrMiyagi · 12-24-2009, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I should swap out for the ford 8.8 and probably get lockers at the same time. I'll try looking for some information on the kits and swap. Any other shop references would be appreciated.

Hope Springs Hauler · 12-24-2009, 10:13 AM

I did the 8.8 in my YJ. It withstood a goo bit of beating from 36" tires. As for gears, I would go ahead and do 4.56. As long as you keep something with overdrive, it will be fine for a DD and still be ok if you move to 35" or so.

KennyTJ · 12-24-2009, 01:31 PM

Thanks Trigger,

Yes I have the 8.8 and HP30 set-up in my '06 with the 6spd. as well. I have 4.10 gearing with 33s on the street and runs good, plenty of power. Offroad I run 36s on beadlocks and its OK. The 6spd has a lower 1st gear than the older 5 spds. I find I'm in 4LO 1st gear most the time. If I was going to re-gear for the 36s I'd go to 4.88s.

I had my axles up for sale for my 1ton swap but I have had to postpone the swap till next winter due to my back surgury. The axles will be for sale again after Toys for Tots in November.

12-23-2009, 11:51 PM	#1
MrMiyagi Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6	Gear swap? Axle Swap? So, I'm sort of in the same dilemma here and I'm not too familiar with axle or gear swaps. I have a manual 6 sp. TJ with 33" x 12.5 tires, 4" lift, and 3.07 gearing. I have a dana 30 in the front and a 35 in the rear. I haven't gotten to do too much off roading, but next summer I'll be using it as my DD as well as doing some light-medium off roading. So I have a couple options (let me know if there are others): 1. Replace both axles with 4.11 or 4.56 gearing as it would be cheaper than regearing? I'd like to upgrade the axle(s) to D44, but what about the Ford 8.8 or other? I know you can do a direct bolt in from TJ to TJ, but how hard is it to modify the ford 8.8" or other? I would have no idea how to go about doing this or finding the right people to do it for me. 2. Do a gear swap to 4.11 or 4.56 and upgrade my rear axle with a Super 35? 3. I might be looking to some lockers in the future, so I should probably do this at the same time as my axle upgrades...not sure about this though. arghh....help me out here. Thanks

12-24-2009, 08:58 AM	#4
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	It's best to upgrade both axles at the same time.I love my 4.88 gears on 35 tires. To save money, you may consider keeping the front dana 30 axle.. It will handle tires up to 35's and stay together if your light on the skinny pedal. I would not spend any money on a dana 35. Good Luck Nick Go Bengals!WHO-DEY!!! __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille ..

12-24-2009, 10:13 AM	#7
Hope Springs Hauler Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 431 Images: 16	I did the 8.8 in my YJ. It withstood a goo bit of beating from 36" tires. As for gears, I would go ahead and do 4.56. As long as you keep something with overdrive, it will be fine for a DD and still be ok if you move to 35" or so. __________________ 1988 Suzuki Samurai on propane FJ 40 axles (4.10) 5.14 tcase 36" TSL SX

12-24-2009, 12:32 AM	#3
Trigger Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 281	The 8.8 is probably going to be your best bet for the rear. They are pretty easy to find and most already have disk brakes on them. KennyTJ on here and Muddy Buddys did the swap in his TJ and it wasn't all that difficult. He had his setup for sale, but I'm not sure if he sold it or not. You might want to contact him on that. You can also try to find someone that has a Rubicon and is swapping out to bigger stuff, but that's probably not going to be real easy. I'm sure there are some folks on Pirate that are selling stuff like that. As for folks to help you out, or do it for you. There are a few around. I'm more familiar with Dayton that I am Cincy, but I'm sure someone down there can give you a hand. Bottom line, if you're going to spend the time and money to upgrade, there's no sense in polishing the turds that are the stock axles.

12-24-2009, 09:14 AM	#5
jfiscus Terrain Stomper Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 633	I would also suggest the 8.8 upgrade, an already geared 8.8 should be easy to find at a decent price, then buy the kit & if you do not have buddies able to help install it, I'm sure someone like Armstrong Automotive can do it for you. You may also consider a HP D30 if you can find one from an XJ with 4.10s for cheap. regearing to a 4.10 or higher requires a different carrier IIRC.

12-24-2009, 09:29 AM	#6
MrMiyagi Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 6	Thanks for the info. Sounds like I should swap out for the ford 8.8 and probably get lockers at the same time. I'll try looking for some information on the kits and swap. Any other shop references would be appreciated.

12-24-2009, 01:31 PM	#8
KennyTJ The Pirate Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lebanon, Oh. Posts: 297	Thanks Trigger, Yes I have the 8.8 and HP30 set-up in my '06 with the 6spd. as well. I have 4.10 gearing with 33s on the street and runs good, plenty of power. Offroad I run 36s on beadlocks and its OK. The 6spd has a lower 1st gear than the older 5 spds. I find I'm in 4LO 1st gear most the time. If I was going to re-gear for the 36s I'd go to 4.88s. I had my axles up for sale for my 1ton swap but I have had to postpone the swap till next winter due to my back surgury. The axles will be for sale again after Toys for Tots in November.