'02 TJ with i4 -- Mid Life Crisis

[Ryan]

A 8.8 would be a better choice, especially since the 44 listed needs gears. You can find an 8.8 for less with the proper gears already installed (4.10).

That 44 is a leaf sprung axle, so brackets need to be welded on anyway.

[jaysenodell]

Aren't 8.8 C-clip?

[Ryan]

 J and J sells them for $150-$200 I believe.

8.8 is c-clip, but the shafts are bigger, you wont break one with a 4cyl. And they are easier to find shafts for to carry as spares. All stock parts are a plus, no piecing together stuff and hope it works.

Many of us have done the 8.8 and I dont recall any broken shafts or ring gears. Nick has one in his ZJ I had one in my ZJ keith in his TJ, Joe has one in his TJ, I think Matt put on in the YJ?

[jaysenodell]

I know Matt did 8.8 in the YJ. We talked about it when he dropped of the d35 spares. I'm thinking about using the d35 till I run out of parts (two full sets of shafts waiting for a chance to break). Even have a spare 4.10 R&P should I blow mine up. With all the spares on hand I was seriously considering locker for the rear but that C-clip seems to be a recipe for hatred with a locker in there. Maybe a C-clip eliminator would be worthwhile until I decide how far to really take MLC out of stock TJ.

[rejeep]

FWIW..
Dorman sells stock 8.8 shafts
an 8.8 is essentially a 9".. stronger than a D44 and cheaper to work with..
stock disk brakes and away you go..

[rejeep]

ps:  1 in the YJ and 1 in the MJ

[Nick]

You are going to spend $200 on a locker for the d35 why not skip that spend $200 on the 8.8? It is really not that expensive to do a axle swap. Don't bother with a d44 just get a 8.8 and be done with it.

[Wingman]

I think some of you guys are forgetting that Jaysen needs to get all of the link brackets (~$300+) and weld them on.  TJ's aren't leaf like Cherokees, and GCs and YJs.  It won't just be the axle purchase.

[jaysenodell]

You are going to spend $200 on a locker for the d35 why not skip that spend $200 on the 8.8?

Just to reiterate one point, I was going to spend $200 on a d35 locker. Then I watched a non-M4 install of an Aussie (Vermont Jeepgirl) and said to myself "hey stupid, how do you plan on getting that clip out when she can't get it in with the axle off, cover pointed to the ceiling, and not a single rock in the way?"


It seems to me that a locked 35 C-clip has no chance at a trail repair. Not saying it couldn't be done, but once those springs are in, how the heck do you get the clip out? It looks like I'll go open on the rear until I make the swing to something different. 8.8 is still in the running, but not thrilled about the clip on principal.


Mark's comment on cost is valid though. As Cora pointed out, there is a point where I need to ask, "Should I buy Rubi? or Moose? or ...". MLC is a ton of fun, but once I start cutting that far into her would it be smarter to keep her as my DD and go full on with something for RC, AOAA, etc... Just a thought.

[rejeep]

Got to walk before you can run..

500 and done

[Wingman]

Mark's comment on cost is valid though. As Cora pointed out, there is a point where I need to ask, "Should I buy Rubi? or Moose? or ...". MLC is a ton of fun, but once I start cutting that far into her would it be smarter to keep her as my DD and go full on with something for RC, AOAA, etc... Just a thought.

At this point, I think that something like a buggy is getting ahead of things a little.  Sure, we all probably look back and say we should have started with a buggy.  But realistically, the road of "build, wheel, break, repeat" has a lot going for it.  There are numerous skills, both wrenching and wheelin, that you pick up along the journey that you'd miss out on if you just open your wallet...

Got to walk before you can run..

[Callelle]

I just figured it would be a good candidate because I thought I saw him talking about a re-gear before anyway and I didn't think it was a whole lot of money for a proper width 44.

[Harrison]

At least one time, I had a rear tire wedged between two rocks with my 8.8. I kept giving it more, and more, and more gas until I realized my foot was on the floor. Nothing happened aside from trans slipping. They are f'ing strong for what they are.

That $500 could be mostly recouped in a part out or make MLC more attractive to someone looking to buy wheel-ready Jeep when resale time comes.

[Harrison]

I bought my 8.8 ready to bolt into an XJ for $175 and sold it for $200 after 2 years of abuse like above. The internals showed no signs of abuse. TJ axles go for more with brackets ready to go.

[M4wdFab]

the artec kit we did for joes tj was pretty mint