Don't know if this should be here, or in Jeep Tech, if need be, Mods, please feel free to move it. So here goes.....
Ok, here is the situation. I am a self proclaimed Newb with the whole jeep thing, and wheeling in a whole. I know what my ultimate goal is, and ideas of how to accomplish those goals, but I’m looking for two things here, advice on what I should be looking for because I don’t know enough about the details to know what I should get, and I don’t want to waste money by buying the wrong things (Which I think I already might have). Second, I’m looking for someone who would be interested in helping me by doing the fabrication, as I have no tools, place to work, or any experience with fabrication to do this work, but I would like to learn, so I would be more than willing to be there to help. Here is what I have, and what I think I’m looking for.
I have a 2000 TJ
4.5” Rubicon Express Long arm Lift with rear tri-link
1.5” Body lift on from previous owner
4.0 I-6 with D30 front D35 rear with 4.10 gears and 32” tires
Currie HD steering
I also have a 99 explorer 8.8 with open diff 4.10’s and disc brakes, and 5 37” tires (Bought them from a guy at work for a deal that I couldn’t pass up.)
So here is the issue, I want to put the 37”s on. I know the axles I have won’t hold up.I'm also planning on possible getting a new stearing box (I think I have heard that the durango box fits and is stronger, along with bracing the stearing box. I bought the ford 8.8 before I had the 37’s, when I originally planned on only running 35”. I had thought about buying a super 8.8 and then a super 30 and regearing the axles, and putting lockers in, but I know that that isn’t the right path (at least I don’t think so). So now I’m thinking about buying different axles (D-60’s) But I don’t really know what is best for me at this point. I know I want to get some stout axles for both front and rear. I just don’t know what ones I should be looking for, or what would be the easiest to fit under the Jeep. Should I look for ford axles, dodge, chevy. Then when it comes to the front end, I’m even more clueless on what I should be looking for.
So I guess basically, I’m looking to buy a couple of axles that can withstand the 37’s, and then looking for someone who can build them for me with my limited help over this winter into early spring. (getting the right brackets on the axle, re-gearing, and adding a locker of some sort, either ARB, or an electric selectable locker) and then to help me get them under the jeep in Spring so I can get the jeep going. This jeep will be my daily driver for the next year, but is not a big deal because I live ½ mile from work. After this year, I will have another vehicle come spring of 08, and the jeep will only be used for weekend/ off-road/ winter fun driving. The only other requirement that I have is that the parking brake still works.
So anyone who could help me with good information, anyone who has an axle, or set of axles that would be good for me to use, and most importantly, anyone who would like to do some work for me, please let me know. I’m looking to get the axles and start getting them built right after the 1st of the year. Just to make it clear, I’m not looking for free help, I am more than willing to pay someone, I would just rather find a person rather than a shop, so that I can maybe be part of the build, and start to learn more about my jeep and working on it.
Thanks in advance, and please feel free to post information here, PM, or email me at Solless@gmail.com
Eric
Ok, here is the situation. I am a self proclaimed Newb with the whole jeep thing, and wheeling in a whole. I know what my ultimate goal is, and ideas of how to accomplish those goals, but I’m looking for two things here, advice on what I should be looking for because I don’t know enough about the details to know what I should get, and I don’t want to waste money by buying the wrong things (Which I think I already might have). Second, I’m looking for someone who would be interested in helping me by doing the fabrication, as I have no tools, place to work, or any experience with fabrication to do this work, but I would like to learn, so I would be more than willing to be there to help. Here is what I have, and what I think I’m looking for.
I have a 2000 TJ
4.5” Rubicon Express Long arm Lift with rear tri-link
1.5” Body lift on from previous owner
4.0 I-6 with D30 front D35 rear with 4.10 gears and 32” tires
Currie HD steering
I also have a 99 explorer 8.8 with open diff 4.10’s and disc brakes, and 5 37” tires (Bought them from a guy at work for a deal that I couldn’t pass up.)
So here is the issue, I want to put the 37”s on. I know the axles I have won’t hold up.I'm also planning on possible getting a new stearing box (I think I have heard that the durango box fits and is stronger, along with bracing the stearing box. I bought the ford 8.8 before I had the 37’s, when I originally planned on only running 35”. I had thought about buying a super 8.8 and then a super 30 and regearing the axles, and putting lockers in, but I know that that isn’t the right path (at least I don’t think so). So now I’m thinking about buying different axles (D-60’s) But I don’t really know what is best for me at this point. I know I want to get some stout axles for both front and rear. I just don’t know what ones I should be looking for, or what would be the easiest to fit under the Jeep. Should I look for ford axles, dodge, chevy. Then when it comes to the front end, I’m even more clueless on what I should be looking for.
So I guess basically, I’m looking to buy a couple of axles that can withstand the 37’s, and then looking for someone who can build them for me with my limited help over this winter into early spring. (getting the right brackets on the axle, re-gearing, and adding a locker of some sort, either ARB, or an electric selectable locker) and then to help me get them under the jeep in Spring so I can get the jeep going. This jeep will be my daily driver for the next year, but is not a big deal because I live ½ mile from work. After this year, I will have another vehicle come spring of 08, and the jeep will only be used for weekend/ off-road/ winter fun driving. The only other requirement that I have is that the parking brake still works.
So anyone who could help me with good information, anyone who has an axle, or set of axles that would be good for me to use, and most importantly, anyone who would like to do some work for me, please let me know. I’m looking to get the axles and start getting them built right after the 1st of the year. Just to make it clear, I’m not looking for free help, I am more than willing to pay someone, I would just rather find a person rather than a shop, so that I can maybe be part of the build, and start to learn more about my jeep and working on it.
Thanks in advance, and please feel free to post information here, PM, or email me at Solless@gmail.com
Eric