8.8 or 44

[clifford210]

I am going to run 36x13.5 irocs in my cherokee. what axle would be stronger dand 44 or ford 8.8. im going to get chromoly shafts and be locked up. which one could I build for cheaper. let me know what you guys think... thanks

[s10er8]

I see the prices of 8.8 r&p's dropping. but then you have the issue of c-clip vs semi-float

run an 8.8 on stock shafts, they are supposedly as strong as alloy 44 shafts. I know they are fairly heavy shafts

[87 pathy]

8.8 disk brake all the way, they can be had for 300 bucks from the junk yard with 4:10's and they are comparable to a 9"... much stronger than the 44. also, with the disk break, you won't have ot worry about the c-clip as the disk brakes will hold the axle in till you get off the trail

[dozer_xj]

I was going to use a 8.8 but my jeep is no longer a daily driver so im going with one tons. I did alot of research and the 8.8 has disk brakes, bigger axle shafts, bigger tubes, and a bigger ring and pinoin. (8.8 vs 8.5) Randy's Ring and pinion rates the 44 at a 33 inch tire while the 8.8 is rated for a 35 inch tire. I have read about many people that run bigger than 35's on an 8.8 and have no troubles. Its all about the research! You also get to keep your 5x4.5" bolt pattern. It was a clear choice for me. As for price(i dont know if i can do this on here) i have on ill sell for $175. The salvage yard by me wants $310 for them. It has 3.73 gears with a limited slip and disk brakes) PM me if you want it.

[BUILTnotBOT]

I have both in my yard and im goin 8.8, disks, larger shafts, yada yada yada. Im also doing the super 8.8 kit just to get rid of the c clips and widen the axle a lil bit. I say 8.8 easier to find, usually cheaper and you can find some with 4.10 gears. Oh yeah and search they're some guys on here runnin 38's on the 8.8, thats what im goin to run BTW.

[clifford210]

so in all you guys are saying I should be fine with a built and locked 8.8 with 36's and a heavy foot?

[Jeep07]

Originally Posted by clifford210

so in all you guys are saying I should be fine with a built and locked 8.8 with 36's and a heavy foot?

Thats what it sounds like to me.

[dozer_xj]

Originally Posted by clifford210

so in all you guys are saying I should be fine with a built and locked 8.8 with 36's and a heavy foot?

I dont promise you wont break something but you will be better off with the 8.8 than the 44.

[87 pathy]

my buddy runs 38.5s with a 360 on an 8.8.. 2 shafts in 3 years..

[Ratrace]

I don't understand the whole 8.8 thing. It's cheap, "stronger than a D44", 4.5" bolt pattern and works for 35"-38" tires. What are ya'll using for a front axle? Dana 30 I would think. So now you have this end all beat all rear axle and are stuck with a D30 front. Don't tell me you are going to run 36" Irok with a "heavy right foot" and are more concerned about the rear axle. I just don't understand.

[Yota Tony]

Originally Posted by Ratrace

I don't understand the whole 8.8 thing. It's cheap, "stronger than a D44", 4.5" bolt pattern and works for 35"-38" tires. What are ya'll using for a front axle? Dana 30 I would think. So now you have this end all beat all rear axle and are stuck with a D30 front. Don't tell me you are going to run 36" Irok with a "heavy right foot" and are more concerned about the rear axle. I just don't understand.

Just don't lock the D30

[ZJim]

Originally Posted by Ratrace

I don't understand the whole 8.8 thing. It's cheap, "stronger than a D44", 4.5" bolt pattern and works for 35"-38" tires. What are ya'll using for a front axle? Dana 30 I would think. So now you have this end all beat all rear axle and are stuck with a D30 front. Don't tell me you are going to run 36" Irok with a "heavy right foot" and are more concerned about the rear axle. I just don't understand.

Probably because lots of people who are looking into the 8.8 swap are running D35 rear ends.

[MrShoeBoy]

If you have a heavy right foot and bigger tires, look into a Ford 9". I blew up the ARB and ring and pinion in my F8.8 last year in my XJ with a very strong 4.6L stroker, 5 speed manual, 35s and no fear of the throttle. The cost of new gears and a locker for the 8.8 was a few hundred dollars more than what it cost me to build a 9" with alloy shafts. I think I have $600 in the axle, factory N case, 4.10s, spool, narrow'd with custom alloy shafts, and disk brakes.

AARON

[s10er8]

Low pinion is the bad thing about the 9"

[crosbike]

i have seen numerous companion flanges break on 8.8's.

[MrShoeBoy]

Originally Posted by s10er8

Low pinion is the bad thing about the 9"

Hasnt been any more of a problem than the lip on the bottom of the F8.8. I cant remember who makes it off the top of my head but there is a pinion yoke guard for the 9" that works very well and bolts on.

AARON

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by MrShoeBoy

I cant remember who makes it off the top of my head but there is a pinion yoke guard for the 9" that works very well and bolts on.

AARON

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product...d/Rear_Housing -----------Hans

[s10er8]

Ford made yoke guards and put them on them from the factory also. They get taken off and left off but they started out there, I don't have a clue which ones/or all of them got them

[BerzerCO]

Heres the one I run!

It looks like the same product for less $$$



http://www.fourtreks.com/yoke_guard.html

[s10er8]

You could easily make one like that out of pipe

[BerzerCO]

Originally Posted by s10er8

You could easily make one like that out of pipe

The flange is cnc milled from billet steel.

If this product was not available, I'd have made something similar already.

[s10er8]

Originally Posted by BerzerCO

The flange is cnc milled from billet steel.

If this product was not available, I'd have made something similar already.

You could cut one out with a hacksaw and that rock you bang it on will never know the difference

[Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by s10er8

Ford made yoke guards and put them on them from the factory also. They get taken off and left off but they started out there, I don't have a clue which ones/or all of them got them

Those weren't yoke guards they were part of a pinion snubber http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/differential.htm and mounted above the yoke......some have modified them to mount below and act as a guard-------Hans

[Dusty Booger]

I don't like the 8.8. Tubes tend to spin in the housing. It is C-clip, so there is the obvoius issue if you break an axle. Additionally, the C-clip makes the ARB design weak. If you plan to run an ARB, don't run the 8.8. You can build a Ford 9" pretty cheap. Much better for a heavy foot.

[53guy]

Got a full float 44......