8.8 Axle Swap into a Jeep Wrangler YJ

Complete process of swapping the rear axle in my Jeep from a Dana 35 to a Ford 8.8 out of an Explorer.
PARTS
Axle swap kit - amzn.to/3RK1lcT
SOLID 8.8 cover - amzn.to/3BhvRnq
Power Stop full brake kit - amzn.to/3dcl4D3
1310 flange yolk adapter - amzn.to/3LbQl5w
Wheel spacers - amzn.to/3da7sIu
Spartan locker - amzn.to/3RYvzZq (open diff only)
Rust reformer - amzn.to/3DsGxlS
Self etching primer - amzn.to/3eVCCE8
Semi gloss paint - amzn.to/3RLwBbJ
Gear oil - amzn.to/3eIsNsU
I’m an affiliate marketer with links to an online retailer and receive commissions for purchases made through these links and affiliated sites.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I have added links in the description to several of the parts I used for this swap. Hope it helps!

[@lrfirefighter]

What about links to E brake cable, brake lines and the rest?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@lrfirefighter That was an order through ECGS, I don't have a link but if you call them and tell them what you are looking for they will get you sorted out.

[@jamessowden9408]

Very thorough. Nice job.

[@dustytrailscactusron]

By far the best 8.8 swap video I've seen. Nicely done!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thank you!

[@andresfuentes4482]

Question, by swapping the 8.8 rear axle Should I replace the front axle as well?

[@jamesdodson9417]

Take a map gas torch heat your metal then hit it with that 110 welder you’ll get good penetration and it will take it easy on your welded and weld further. IMHO of course I have the same welder that’s what works for me but I’m no welder also .

[@KenSiefert]

Beautiful job on the 8.8👍

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thank you!

[@Mickale-Moranis]

Nice. On my 8.8 swap into my 94 YJ, I had a super short JB Conversion SYE kit and did a 6* angle on the pinion. Worked well. I was on 2" OMU leafs. Note: I had to place bump stops risers on the axle over the outside ubolt. The factory bump stop would not be in the center of the ubolts. It would go to the outside ubolt during articulation.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

That makes sense. If I need to make a cantilevered section that bolts on top of the welded stop that will be easy to do. I don't rub with 31s so we'll see what I need to do with 35s and TJ flares.

[@Mickale-Moranis]

I had 29s (235/70-16 JK wheels) with 1" body bushings, 2" OMUs rear, 1.5" RE/boomerangs front. Fronts had no issues for 2" lift shocks at full compression, but the rear needed the overhang over the ubolt like an umbrella type of thing. Yah, TJ Rubicon flares are actually wider than the norm TJ flares. Aftermarket has something little wider off the body, but yes, the TJ also gets a wider opening in the well.

[@gregchiropolos9885]

Nice job on the 8.8, what springs are you running and do you like them?

[@larryalexander4833]

Your coming along with the jeep project. The Rust-Oleum rust reformer is a good product. Has a good finish but the price has went up quite a bit. But everything has. Thanks joe

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yep it's getting there, can't wait to have it on 35s

[@larryalexander4833]

@@HardEarnedBacon i I'm in middle of getting mine up and running. New engine , swapped out trans and transfer case. Run into a snag this past week. Started new engine for break in . Ran great but devolped a knock. Turned out one of the tod caps wasn't torqued . Luckily crank is fine.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Dang, good thing you caught it quick

[@larryalexander4833]

@@HardEarnedBacon less than a hour run time on the engine. Bought from a fellow who bought it around 10 years ago ,but never used it.

[@cuttheloop]

Quality work & presentation.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thank you!

[@wyattogrady9742]

Great video! Very detailed, good editing, and well documented! I may have missed it somewhere, but do you have to swap the master cylinder to run rear disc brakes on the new axle? And if so, recommendations on a particular one and/or proportioning valve setup? Thanks,

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! You don't HAVE to but a lot of people recommend that you at least change the prop valve. You can swap in one from a ZJ that has rear disks, just change out the internal spring parts. My master is from Dave's Customs and they say you don't need a prop valve at all if running rear disks with their setup. That being said, plenty of people out there don't touch it at all and have no issues. I only went with Dave's Customs because I needed to replace my shot stock parts and wanted a little more power to stop 35s.

[@desertdog2282]

Nice job.

[@JEEP-N-DIRT]

Nice job and nice YJ. I'm a long term YJ guy and will be featuring my YJ on my new little channel jeepNdirt where my plan is to theme it as a "26 year review" lol. I'm new to the youtube thing and kinda just having fun with it and my built JLUR but I love my YJ and want to include it as well on the channel as it's been a part of my life since I bought it in 1997. I just found your channel and definitely subscribed as I'm watching your previous YJ videos. Good stuff man, really good stuff.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks!

[@MrAjc407]

Good job!!!

[@blackshirej]

Very nice video! Trying to decide if this is a project I want to tackle in the future or just pay someone and it gave me hope that if I can learn to weld decently, I can probably handle it. lol

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I say go for it! Grab some scrap metal and get some practice welding different types of joints and material thickness.

[@jk_wrangler13]

That's a lot of work. Hope it works great out on the trails.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

It was but fun to do and I feel better and better about the parts on this thing every week haha

[@deansheldon6333]

What was the part number for the ebrake cables and where did you order them from?

[@bartgoins1782]

Great video. We put an 8.8 in my 92 YJ about 20 years ago with 4.88s and 37" BFGs. I loved it and never had issues. As for your videos, be careful with background music from your radio. KZbin doesn't like that.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks, Ultimate 88 kit coming soon. I always pay attention to how much of the radio song makes it into the video. As long as it is less than 10 seconds KZbin and the music industry doesn't care. Been uploading for 12 years without issue.

[@user-sb1ke4ku7g]

Beautiful job on the 8.8. Nice job on the 8.8. What's the plan for the Dana 30?.

[@briangardner1204]

Could you give us a list of parts and part numbers?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

That may take awhile but I can try to put something together

[@rl1106]

Are you using the stock driveshaft with the 8.8 or a custom driveshaft? Also is a SYE necessary?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I have a Tom Woods. Not having a SYE and using the stock driveshaft may be too long, not sure.

[@johnathonstokes2673]

This was a great video I'm looking to do the same with my yj. I am in the planning phase full junkyard yj. Question where did you source the 8.8 for non limited slip? Is it the same 95 to 01 explorer?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Local junkyard for the axle. I just walked around looking under every Explorer for one with the open carrier and 3.55s. You can find charts online that explain how to read the axle tags. Here is me pulling it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3uwpWyZp9-fetU

[@tonyBR549]

Great work!! Definitely setting a high bar!! Do you by chance operate a 4x4 (Jeep) shop?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! And not at the moment but I do plan on making it my side hustle one of these days haha

[@NGWrenchin]

@@HardEarnedBacon come back to NC and let’s fuckin goooooo

[@tonyBR549]

@@HardEarnedBacon Great! Just let me know when/if you do...I have the time just don't have your talent. Thanks!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@NGWrenchin move to NV lol

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@tonyBR549 do you live nearby?

[@Aron_J]

Spring over axle in the rear with stock yj springs would've benefited you greatly. But other wise awesome video man!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks! Rear soa is not in the plans for this Jeep

[@powerblock70]

I gotta know, why are you running wheel spacers on your rear end?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Because the 8.8 is narrower than the Dana 35 and my front axle is an additional 1/2" wider than stock due to the WJ knuckle swap.

[@loverboy20121000]

YJ 1995 4.0 6 cylinder

[@tortugaspeedshop7484]

Why did you have to relocate the choke mount’s on the frame?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

If you mean the shock mounts you don't have to it is just a good time to do it because it allows you to move the shock mounts on the axle up for more ground clearance and/or run longer shocks.

[@Buckshot93]

How did you figure out pinion angle and what did you use to measure that? I’m in the process of doing a semi restoration of a 94 yj and it had different axles so I’m going back factory for now. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I used a digital angle cube and set the pinion 1 or 2 degrees lower than the angle of the driveshaft. I don't remember my final measurement but I started it at 13 degrees and made the final adjustment with the vehicle weight on the axle.

[@markmacdonald6452]

Nice job on the 8.8. What's the plan for the Dana 30?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thanks, 30 is built out as far as I'm going to take it. Pretty much everything you can do to one except a custom truss or machining for sleeves.

[@user-jl4no9dd5b]

Was the 8.8 wider then the original axle?

[@MrAjc407]

Quest please With the 8.8 been offset to the center does affect driveshaft performance? Thank you

[@HardEarnedBacon]

No

[@TripleTryGarage]

How much oil did you add to the 8.8?

[@bobmcnelis3648]

How did you match the gear ratio with the front diff? Was this a known factor when you chose the explorer 8.8?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yes I specifically went searching for one with the gears I needed

[@loverboy20121000]

hi dear , do you have all the spare parts of YJ 1995

[@tannerhelmick9163]

What’s your top speed after the install?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I've only had it up to about 65 since the swap. Not sure what the full top speed of the Jeep has ever been.

[@bdn73g]

is the new "upper shock mounts" a requirement when swapping to the 8.8... I also have the dana35 and its coming out as well...

[@HardEarnedBacon]

No it's not a requirement, just a good time to do it. Happy New Year!

[@bdn73g]

@@HardEarnedBacon Happy New Year!

[@MatHelm]

Time to use those German drill bits to drill some weep holes in that already rusting through gas tank shield.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Why drill holes if it's already rusted through?

[@BubbaMurica]

I have an 8.8 in my 95 white J. I just installed all new brakes on the rear and I have lost the rubber dust grommet that goes on the backing plate and the arm that the emergency brake cable box to that makes the emergency brake shoes function. Did your kit come with those parts or just the brake hardware?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

It only came with the cables

[@BubbaMurica]

@@HardEarnedBacon ok thanks

[@brianlinn9981]

When guys are swapping for the 8.8, what are they running for the front diff?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Most stick with the 30

[@JEEP-N-DIRT]

If you have a YJ with the High pinion reverse cut front Dana 30, then you're gold. This is a great strong (ring and pinion) axle that will hold up to 35's with good offroad action. Convert to 1 piece chrome moly TJ axle shafts (Front CAD Delete) and you're good to go for a long time. I have a JLUR currently, but have owned / built my 95 since 1997. Will be doing a feature on the YJ in the coming months on my new little chanel jeepNdirt. Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification to watch for that video.

[@jessesmith9083]

Any issues with the factory master cylinder?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

I have a Dave's Customs booster and master cylinder but I don't see why the stock setup wouldn't work. May need to adjust or swap the prop valve though.

[@jjtt7408]

DID YOU DO THE BENT AXEL TEST TO THE REPLACEMENT AXEL ?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

YES BEFORE I BOUGHT IT

[@JamesWhite-tg4kw]

Bent axle test

[@JamesTremblay]

Not going to knock the beautiful work or job done. But it's 2022 and there are better axles for this.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Such as?

[@JamesTremblay]

@@HardEarnedBacon purpose built Ford 9, d60 , d44 hybrid that uses the jk guts. A lot of choices for larger then 35's

[@HardEarnedBacon]

@@JamesTremblay for $150 out of my local pick-n-pull? No. Not to mention similar width to the stock front axle and identical gear ratio options. Just because there are bigger and stronger axles does not make them a better option.

[@JamesTremblay]

@@HardEarnedBacon so you're saying you bought a scrap axle with no knowledge of it's demise or maintenance, re-bracketed it and stuffed under your YJ? No rebuild , no upgrades, etc? Yeah, that's not gonna fail....

[@JamesTremblay]

@@HardEarnedBacon and if you did rebuild it, you could have just put a locker and chromoly shafts in the d35 and called it a day... But hey not my Jeep or my wallet... See you when you post about it getting replaced... Most 8.8 swaps do, vibrations, bent outer flanges, tubes twist at the center section ....

[@lazarobravo4550]

Used a mask 😷 . Paint is poison ☠️

[@user-jl4no9dd5b]

Was the 8.8 wider then the original axle?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

No, slightly narrower