8.25 in a TJ?? - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

parkfan · November 15th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Has anybody transplanted a 8.25 outta a ZJ into a TJ? I was wondering if where they're both coil sprung, if their bracketry is similiar enough? OR not?

firecat · November 15th, 2011, 10:47 AM

is there a zj that came with an 8.25? dana 35...

GREASYHANDS · November 15th, 2011, 10:48 AM

Could be a 44 also.

ajmorell · November 15th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkfan

Has anybody transplanted a 8.25 outta a ZJ into a TJ? I was wondering if where they're both coil sprung, if their bracketry is similiar enough? OR not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by firecat

is there a zj that came with an 8.25? dana 35...

The 8.25 never came in a ZJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREASYHANDS

Could be a 44 also.

The 44 also never came in ZJs, the 44a did but it is nowhere near the same as an iron 44. Regardless the brackets aren't identical. They are similar but some modification will be required.

GREASYHANDS · November 15th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Good info

Complete Off Road · November 15th, 2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmorell

The 8.25 never came in a ZJ

The 44 also never came in ZJs, the 44a did but it is nowhere near the same as an iron 44. Regardless the brackets aren't identical. They are similar but some modification will be required.

this is true. And while there is a little (very little) aftermarket support for the aluminum housing D44A in ZJs, it is pretty much entirely different that a 'standard' D44 and is not a great candidate for a swap. "Standard' D44 lockers, ring & pinions, etc, do not work in a D44A (also referred to a D44HD by some aftermarket companies)

ajmorell · November 15th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complete Off Road

this is true. And while there is a little (very little) aftermarket support for the aluminum housing D44A in ZJs, it is pretty much entirely different that a 'standard' D44 and is not a great candidate for a swap. "Standard' D44 lockers, ring & pinions, etc, do not work in a D44A (also referred to a D44HD by some aftermarket companies)

Good info. There is enough aftermarket support to make the 44a pretty stout but there are two big limitations as far as I'm concerned:

-The obvious aluminum center section. It will eat bearings because it flexes more than a traditional iron center section. There is a company out there making a nice truss but I'm not going to mention their name since I have heard of a lot of problems from them lately. Regardless if you have a 44a, a truss is a good way to add a lot of strength and it will help eliminate the flex that eats bearings in these.

-There is very limited support for traction devices. Aussie was offering a locker for the 44a but last I knew they discontinued it. I though I saw that Yukon was making a grizzly locker for the 44a but I can't confirm that

parkfan · November 15th, 2011, 07:21 PM

wow, ok. Thanks. Guess I'll keep looking for a 8.8. Just wish I could find one that I didn't have to send a whole day driving to go get

Bleay · November 16th, 2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkfan

wow, ok. Thanks. Guess I'll keep looking for a 8.8. Just wish I could find one that I didn't have to send a whole day driving to go get

Check http://www.car-part.com/ i will bet you can find one closer than you think.

butcyh cassidy · April 8th, 2012, 09:55 AM

the dana 44a is not a bad axle. it does need some minor "adjustments" to strengthen it and thats just due to it being a solid axle. (aluminum mated to cold rolled steel axle tubes.) dodge used a independent rear version in the srt10 vipers and chevy threw that same irs rear end behind the new vetts. so I think from my personal experience the center is nothing to complain about...

go1lum · April 9th, 2012, 01:28 AM

Just a thought but how close would an 8.25 out of a KJ be to bolting up? I think they are around an inch wider than the xj one though.

VAhasnoWAVES · April 9th, 2012, 09:12 AM

bolting up to what? i dont think itll fit in anything other than a KJ without redoing the brackets.

the 8.25 is a solid axle, and can last on 35s. but for the amount of work to be done putting it into TJ or anything else with coils in the rear, it isnt really worth it IMO. a D44 or 9" would be a lot more worthwhile, as youll likely never replace it unless you go to tons. the cost is just too much, its not imply slapping on leaf spring perches like an XJ or YJ. but if your sure youll never go over 35s, you score a deal on an axle (locked, geared, etc)... id do it.

bdd1469 · April 9th, 2012, 01:07 PM

Im a chevy guy,so this hurts.
The ford 8.8 is a much better choice then a 44,a8.25 or a 9" unless you are swapping front axle also.
The 8.8 is stronger then most,the bolt pattern is correct,huge aftermarket support.
The only potential problem is busting a c-clip axle,but the rotor will keep the wheel from falling out.I have not seen a 8.8 axle bust,except at the drag strip.
I would drive four hrs in a heartbeat to put in a superior axle,and not have to worry about it breaking.
If you have a lkq autoparts around you ,they only charge about $150 for a 8.8 complete minus brakes.

VAhasnoWAVES · April 9th, 2012, 02:49 PM

i disagree with the idea that the 8.8 is a better option than a 9"

it lacks pinion support
and is C clip (though i dont see this as much of a downside)
non removable 3rd member
narrower width than stock

will the 8.8 last longer than most jeep front ends? yes. and id take it over a 44 rear. but its by no means "better" than the 9". a more fitting swap? sure. cheap 4.10 gears and disk break option? deffinantly. but why go through 5 different rear ends? throw a 9" in there and some wheel spacers/adapters on the front. the 9" will compliment almost anything you put up front.

i still say, know what width you want what tire size you want to run... and wait for a deal on an axle that fits the bill.

OnlyInMyXJ22 · April 9th, 2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAhasnoWAVES

i disagree with the idea that the 8.8 is a better option than a 9"

You clearly missed the most important part of that sentence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdd1469

Im a chevy guy,so this hurts.
The ford 8.8 is a much better choice then a 44,a8.25 or a 9" unless you are swapping front axle also.

VAhasnoWAVES · April 9th, 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnlyInMyXJ22

You clearly missed the most important part of that sentence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VAhasnoWAVES

but why go through 5 different rear ends? throw a 9" in there and some wheel spacers/adapters on the front. the 9" will compliment almost anything you put up front.

at larger tire sizes... a little extra width is nice. to each, their own.

November 15th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#1
parkfan Senior Member Join Date: 06-22-10 Location: Highland MI Posts: 155 iTrader: (7)	8.25 in a TJ?? Has anybody transplanted a 8.25 outta a ZJ into a TJ? I was wondering if where they're both coil sprung, if their bracketry is similiar enough? OR not?

November 15th, 2011, 10:48 AM	#3
GREASYHANDS lawless Join Date: 03-16-09 Location: Musky-gone Posts: 7,282 iTrader: (24)	Could be a 44 also. __________________ Bare Bones Offroad RIP FS4L

November 15th, 2011, 11:08 AM	#5
GREASYHANDS lawless Join Date: 03-16-09 Location: Musky-gone Posts: 7,282 iTrader: (24)	Good info __________________ Bare Bones Offroad RIP FS4L

November 15th, 2011, 10:47 AM	#2
firecat Senior Member Join Date: 04-20-06 Location: A2 Michigan Posts: 324 iTrader: (0)	is there a zj that came with an 8.25? dana 35...

November 15th, 2011, 07:21 PM	#8
parkfan Senior Member Join Date: 06-22-10 Location: Highland MI Posts: 155 iTrader: (7)	wow, ok. Thanks. Guess I'll keep looking for a 8.8. Just wish I could find one that I didn't have to send a whole day driving to go get

April 8th, 2012, 09:55 AM	#10
butcyh cassidy Senior Member Join Date: 03-15-07 Location: vermilion oh Posts: 609 iTrader: (0)	the dana 44a is not a bad axle. it does need some minor "adjustments" to strengthen it and thats just due to it being a solid axle. (aluminum mated to cold rolled steel axle tubes.) dodge used a independent rear version in the srt10 vipers and chevy threw that same irs rear end behind the new vetts. so I think from my personal experience the center is nothing to complain about...

April 9th, 2012, 01:28 AM	#11
go1lum Senior Member Join Date: 11-03-08 Location: Mesick/Michigan Posts: 373 iTrader: (4)	Just a thought but how close would an 8.25 out of a KJ be to bolting up? I think they are around an inch wider than the xj one though.

April 9th, 2012, 09:12 AM	#12
VAhasnoWAVES Senior Member Join Date: 10-17-11 Location: Lake City Posts: 373 iTrader: (1)	bolting up to what? i dont think itll fit in anything other than a KJ without redoing the brackets. the 8.25 is a solid axle, and can last on 35s. but for the amount of work to be done putting it into TJ or anything else with coils in the rear, it isnt really worth it IMO. a D44 or 9" would be a lot more worthwhile, as youll likely never replace it unless you go to tons. the cost is just too much, its not imply slapping on leaf spring perches like an XJ or YJ. but if your sure youll never go over 35s, you score a deal on an axle (locked, geared, etc)... id do it.

April 9th, 2012, 01:07 PM	#13
bdd1469 bdd Join Date: 04-12-10 Location: alto mi Posts: 1,955 iTrader: (1)	Im a chevy guy,so this hurts. The ford 8.8 is a much better choice then a 44,a8.25 or a 9" unless you are swapping front axle also. The 8.8 is stronger then most,the bolt pattern is correct,huge aftermarket support. The only potential problem is busting a c-clip axle,but the rotor will keep the wheel from falling out.I have not seen a 8.8 axle bust,except at the drag strip. I would drive four hrs in a heartbeat to put in a superior axle,and not have to worry about it breaking. If you have a lkq autoparts around you ,they only charge about $150 for a 8.8 complete minus brakes.

April 9th, 2012, 02:49 PM	#14
VAhasnoWAVES Senior Member Join Date: 10-17-11 Location: Lake City Posts: 373 iTrader: (1)	i disagree with the idea that the 8.8 is a better option than a 9" it lacks pinion support and is C clip (though i dont see this as much of a downside) non removable 3rd member narrower width than stock will the 8.8 last longer than most jeep front ends? yes. and id take it over a 44 rear. but its by no means "better" than the 9". a more fitting swap? sure. cheap 4.10 gears and disk break option? deffinantly. but why go through 5 different rear ends? throw a 9" in there and some wheel spacers/adapters on the front. the 9" will compliment almost anything you put up front. i still say, know what width you want what tire size you want to run... and wait for a deal on an axle that fits the bill.