Built some weird shit over the years but would like/am considering something a little milder.

91 or so xj four door and 36 12.50 sx's. This would semi-DD by the kids, and an all purpose offroader including, gasp...mud, although I'm not sure its even feasible as that's a pretty big tire.

Not having even looked that closely, will a Scout 44 work? Is the chunk on the correct side? Does it need to be heavily modded? How much can I open the rear wheel well? I'm not much for lift kits and would rather cut but that door seems to be right on the tire... what about the front, can I keep the tires in fairly close or will they rub the "frame" the second I start to turn? I forgot to mention I'm aware that 8.8 is popular for the back any reason not to use one?

Should I be considering 34 10.50 ltbs and saving myself a ton of grief?

Uhhh 36 in mud what? Surely you were joking right. A 36 is not a big tire and a TSL/SX will do fine in the muck.

You need to do a TON of research before you post questions like these. A simple search could have netted you a ton of answers.

BUT heres what I got for ya... Any axle swap will require modification. Depending on your needs will depend on how much but the definates include coil mounts, shock mounts, all link mounts, trac arm and a steering stabalizer or ram mount somewhere. The scout 44 wont work unless you have t-case mods. The diff is on the wrong side. If you want to keep factory width or close to, then look for a waggy 44 or an early bronco 44.

As for rubbing with steering, again it all depends. Very much so if you swap the axle or not. If you swap in a bronco axle, it is a wee bit narrower and will require heavy BS wheels. If you stayed stock or ran a waggy 44 then you'll need about 4.5" min. BS to keep from rubbing.

As for cutting the rear, a welder is your friend. Minus the flares and as much sheet metal as you can cut, you'll need about 4" of clearance. If you think for a second you can fit 36's on a rig with no lift, you simply joking yourself.

The 8.8 is a popular swap because of its strength, size, and bolt pattern. Its swapped in due to the fact that Jeep thought a toothpick would make a good rear axle. The Dana 35, Dana 35c and Chysler 8.25 axles all suck. The 8.25 isnt as bad as the 35 but its still weak.

I dont mean to be an ass and Im not gonna flame you, but your plan sounds very, very poorly thought out. You need to spend some serious time reasearching as ALL of your required info has been covered so many times its beat to death.

Here's what I recommend you do....leave the front axle alone and swap in an 8.8 rear. Get a 4.5 lift and chop up your fenders. Get 34 LTB's and call it done. Had you in fact built some more wild stuff than this, than you should have the knowledge to answer you own questions.

Uhhh 36 in mud what? Surely you were joking right. A 36 is not a big tire and a TSL/SX will do fine in the muck.

While you are spot on in regards to a 36" tire being small for mud. I think he was talking about for the motor. A cherokee even with a healthy 4.0 running 36"s for the mud is still gonna be sluggish. I know all the heroes are gonna pop out now with stories about how they bested some dude with a v8 having a bad day or they left out the fact that he didn't have lockers etc. But horsepower is king in mud.

Uhhh 36 in mud what? Surely you were joking right. A 36 is not a big tire and a TSL/SX will do fine in the muck.

You need to do a TON of research before you post questions like these. A simple search could have netted you a ton of answers.

BUT heres what I got for ya... Any axle swap will require modification. Depending on your needs will depend on how much but the definates include coil mounts, shock mounts, all link mounts, trac arm and a steering stabalizer or ram mount somewhere. The scout 44 wont work unless you have t-case mods. The diff is on the wrong side. If you want to keep factory width or close to, then look for a waggy 44 or an early bronco 44.

As for rubbing with steering, again it all depends. Very much so if you swap the axle or not. If you swap in a bronco axle, it is a wee bit narrower and will require heavy BS wheels. If you stayed stock or ran a waggy 44 then you'll need about 4.5" min. BS to keep from rubbing.

As for cutting the rear, a welder is your friend. Minus the flares and as much sheet metal as you can cut, you'll need about 4" of clearance. If you think for a second you can fit 36's on a rig with no lift, you simply joking yourself.

The 8.8 is a popular swap because of its strength, size, and bolt pattern. Its swapped in due to the fact that Jeep thought a toothpick would make a good rear axle. The Dana 35, Dana 35c and Chysler 8.25 axles all suck. The 8.25 isnt as bad as the 35 but its still weak.

I dont mean to be an ass and Im not gonna flame you, but your plan sounds very, very poorly thought out. You need to spend some serious time reasearching as ALL of your required info has been covered so many times its beat to death.

Here's what I recommend you do....leave the front axle alone and swap in an 8.8 rear. Get a 4.5 lift and chop up your fenders. Get 34 LTB's and call it done. Had you in fact built some more wild stuff than this, than you should have the knowledge to answer you own questions.

I apologize for not having any experience with XJ's.

I thought a 36 was big for a XJ DD, not for mud, my comment about mud was for the haters. Thank you for pointing out that the XJ uses a DS shaft, unlike a Scout. As for leaving the front end alone, it has been my experience that rebuilding a front end to get out and then building a new front end is less optimal than doing it the first time.


While you are spot on in regards to a 36" tire being small for mud. I think he was talking about for the motor. A cherokee even with a healthy 4.0 running 36"s for the mud is still gonna be sluggish. I know all the heroes are gonna pop out now with stories about how they bested some dude with a v8 having a bad day or they left out the fact that he didn't have lockers etc. But horsepower is king in mud.

You've been here a day or two... its amazing what can be accomplished with levers:D


Is there a thread on simple rear suspension? A short stretch would allow a bigger wheel well without having to mess with the door or reroute the fuel filler? Reverse the leaves?

Save the abuse, I'm searching as well.