97 TJ

[Schmitty]

open_circuit previously posted:

[Schmitty]

Quick update, no pics: Ditched that sloppy-weak 3-bolt TJ steering box for the more robust 4-bolt box from the YJ. Noticable improvement and it doesn't seem so darty or jittery over bumps anymore.

[Schmitty]

I bought a welder. It's about to get more fun.

[Schmitty]

Things are happening... slowly.

[Jim]

What's the plan in the rear?

[Schmitty]

Relocating the rear upper spring bucket to correct suspension geometry. Getting it ready for the 8.8 swap.

[Schmitty]

Aaaaand burned it in.

[Schmitty]

Picked up some MJ axles HP30 and 8.25 a couple weeks ago...

[DETN8R]

Great thread so far! Looking forward to see how the build turns out.

[Schmitty]

DETN8R previously posted:

[jayson44]

yeah, that 8.25 isn't going to be as great a swap donor. I'd keep looking for the 8.8 or something else. that 44 would also be much better.

J.

[Schmitty]

Yeah I'm aware. Though plenty of XJ guys out there rocking 35's on an 8.25 without problems?

[jayson44]

rckymtnt4r previously posted:

[derf]

The 8.25 is in the same neighborhood as the Dana 44 and Ford 8.8. Weakest of the 3 but built right it's "close enough".

It's easy to upgrade the earlier 27 spline axles to 29 spline to be closer to the Dana 44 and 8.8. Especially if you're regearing and/or adding a locker. No changes to the housing. Just the spider gears in the diff and the shafts.

The 44 has the most aftermarket support. The Ford 8.8 has some aftermarket.

I held out for a Dana 44 for my XJ that I sold a while back. But mostly because I found a bolt in from a donor XJ and didn't have to modify the brackets. I would have been fine building an 8.25 from an XJ if I hadn't found the 44.

A bolt in TJ Dana 44 would be ideal if you can get one. But even if you do, it's a good idea to look into upgrading the factory link brackets anyway. I've seen several that have torn out when wheeled hard.

[Schmitty]

I am profoundly retarded and will be building the 8.25. It has a Trac-Loc limited slip which I'm working on rebuilding. I'll upgrade it to 29-spline when I put a locker in it. So far I've cut brackets and taken a wire wheel to the whole thing, it's kinda slow because I have other financial obligations right now but I like the work and look forward to building it up and learning in the process.

[Jim]

rckymtnt4r previously posted:

[FINOCJ]

rckymtnt4r previously posted:

[Schmitty]

My plan is to build the 8.25, leave the limited slip for now, and convert it to disc brakes. Regear to 4.56 for 33s (debating Ko2 vs Km3). I have a MORE 1in body lift waiting to be installed. And I'm either swapping out to OME shocks or Rancho5000x because these Jspec ones on it now leave a lot to be desired.

In the past couple months I've installed:
- Electric fan conversion (Taurus fan) with continuously variable module and temperature probe (set at 185* now)
- new headlights (the stock glass just doesn't illuminate the road and it's a safety issue)
- KC Apollo lights on the bumper
- hand throttle (which doubles as cruise control if you want, my favorite mod next to the electric fan)

My takeaway from last year wheelin' gave me perspective, I regret not getting 33s right off the bat but wheeling on 3.07s would have really sucked. I banged up the skid plates, control arms (broke a couple), bent control arm brackets, dented the gas tank "skid", even debeaded a tire and bent a wheel . The intent moving forward is to get a little more serious: 33s, regear, replace the D35, start tucking the underframe, armor it up a little especially protecting the gas tank, and maybe a locker if I can fit it somewhere into the budget.

[FINOCJ]

rckymtnt4r previously posted:

[Schmitty]

FINOCJ previously posted: