I recently blew the stock rear end in my yj. I have a 8.8 out of a ford ranger and am looking to swamp it. Haven't done this before and looking for tips. Anything can help.

First question is, is you jeep stock height or is it lifted. If you don't have a lift, and don't plan to lift you will have an easier time bolting in an Explorer 8.8. These will have the spring perches on the bottom of the axle jut like a stock YJ D35.

If you are planning to lift then you can now use the Ranger 8.8 and do a spring over axle conversion. I think this gives about 5" of lift. You will then need a slip yoke eliminator.

This will get the ball rolling. We will need to know what you have now, what you plans are when done, and what kind of mechanical and fabrication skills you have. Sky's the limit here depending on the answer to those three things.

Besides the stuff goose mentioned, the Ranger axles are also 2" shorter than the D35 (which is 60" wheel mounting surface to w.m.s. - the Explorer 8.8 is ~59.5") and it's 28 spline instead of 31 (not as strong), finally it has drum brakes while the 95+ Explorers have disk. Here's a nice link:http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html The tech section on this site is very informative.

That being said, if you're already invested in the Ranger 8.8 and can't dump it, just google Ford 8.8 in a YJ and you'll get TONS of information as this is a very common swap like this one http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/ford88.html. You could always use hub spacers to get your wheels back out where they're supposed to be.

Do your research and make good long term decisions. Good luck!

RamblinWreck

If you go to Moab Jeeper website they have an install on the 8.8 and give listings of the kits and materials that you need to to the swap. They also have some nice pictures as well.

Good info guys. If your Jeep isn't lifted now is a perfect time to do it. A spring over is the easiest way to get lift and gain Flex on a low cost. Like Goose said the sky is the limit and Wreck is right take your time,research and make good long term decisions.

I just make sure you got everthing that bolts to the rear end from the donor vehicle. Mainly the ujoint yoke that bolts up to the 8.8. Also the ubolts and sping plates make my install simple. The explorer spring plates have the shock mounts built right into them and worked perfectly on mine. I don't remember how the ranger ones are set up. If you have any Qs let me know. Also I would recomend the finding an Exploerer Rear if at all possible. The ranger rear is too narrow in most cases and like the others said is weaker and does not have disk brakes.

Thanks for all of the help. I decided to go find an explorer 8.8 and found one cheap. I was able to do the spring over conversion pretty easily and got it bolted up. I took it out this afternoon in the field behind my house and it seems to be running great! Thanks again for all of the help.

Wow...that was quick. Now you gotta bring it out on the 13th.

Yea bring it Sat. See how it works.

i would love to, but i got reserves this weekend. I'll get some photos of it onto the site tho.