I got the brackets in today for my ford 8.8

I'd like to get the axle set up before I go to install my new lift, so I can minimize down time on my daily driver TJ.

My plan is, 4.5" RE Short arm lift, 1" body lift, stock NP231 TCase, with an AA SYE, and CV driveshaft.

Im sure someone there there has installed an 8.8 with this same setup and can tell me what the pinion angle should be...


thanks in advance...

wait till you get your springs so you have your final ride hight

then just match it up to the drive shaft angle

even if some one has the same setup, there jeep could be heavier or lighter changing the ride hight and affecting the pinion angle

Ive got the springs, but ideally, it will be an 'all at once' upgrade, over a long weekend or something.

Id like to have the axle as close to bolt in ready as possible.

and I want to get hardware welded in place first, then get to gears, and internals...

ive still got a few more parts to stack up in the garage first though...

There are so many things to consider before you set the pinion angle, but if you have adjustable control arms you should be able to fine-tune it a bit.

FYI, I had a 4.5"RE lift with a 1" BL (which doesn't make a difference unless you moved the drivetrain up), same SYE/CV shaft combo, warn rear bumper with a 35" MTR hanging off it, tools and backseat in, and my pinion angle was 16 degrees.

I would definately slide everything under there at ride height and measure to be on the safe side.

I will have adjustable uppers to do some fine tuning with.

sorry, shoulda mentioned that in my first post.

16 or 17* should likely do it. that is consistant with numbers Ive heard elsewhere...

if you have adjustable arms you should be fine with setting up the brackets in the stock D35 locations. A lot of guys built jigs using the D35 to locate the brackets on the 8.8. I have been running my S35 for 3 years with the brackets in the stock location and the pinion tilted up.

When I ran the RE 3.5" lift I ran 15* and it was perfect.

I have the RE 3.5 lift with the 8.8 and my angle was set to 14% then my upper adjustables did the fine tuning. BTW, my track bar bratet was moved approximately .50 inch (?) so I could re-use my stock rear track bar (I'm too cheap to buy an adjustable track bar for the rear).

I have the 4.5 RE,SF 1.25 BL, Teraflex belly-up I have MORE brackets, my pinion angle is at 17*.
If your planing on the belly skid set the angle at 17* if not go with 15* there's more adjustment to bring the pinion up then to take it back down without adj lowers.

i have 4" tera and 1" bl, 17 degrees for me on my 8.8

for more information look on stu-olsen web site.

Id forgotten that Stu had an 8.8 writeup. I'll check it out. thx.

or look on jeepunlimited forum

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=674123

just 8.8 talk:eek: