Building an 8.8

[4.0B2]

so as many of yall know, i'm buiding the 8.8 for my b2

the housing is a 92, i like that set up better than the side shock. it seems to be easier to swap into the b2.
the backing plates are from a 97 with disc brakes.
open carrier, aussie locker, disc brakes. 4.10 gears for now(probably)

my question is what are things to look for in the swap? and what are other things i might wanna look into for the building process? i'm sure that some of yall have done this more than me and i'm sure there is cool stuff out there that i don't know about lol. so ANYTHING to do with the 8.8 build or swap, tell me.

 

[Shran]

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46418 :icon_thumby:

Just slightly different for a B2. Main thing you may want to do is bump stops to prevent the leaf spring retainer plates and u-bolts from hitting the body (seen it happen.)

 

[4.0B2]

Thanks. That's one link I ain't read yet.. Idk how I missed it. Lol.

 

[4.0B2]

so the aussie is blackordered... awesome.....

so, would it be worth it to build the axle open and do the aussie in 2-3 weeks. or wait and do the 8.8 swap now open?

 

[adsm08]

Personally I'd wait until you have the locker to put any of it together. I know it sucks to wait, but these things are a lot easier to work on out of the truck if you don't have a good lift.

 

[4.0B2]

yeah, no lift for me.. i have a driveway lol. i'm just gonna wait. get all my brake stuff figured out, my other spring perch cut off and so on.. just have it ready to put the guts in.

 

[adsm08]

That's what I'd do. I mean, my axle is probably waiting for me to go pick it up. It's gonna sit for a few months before it goes in.

 

[4.0B2]

i've been ready for this swap for a year now.. just budget and work n stuff have not let me do it. so... now i'm gettin excited b/c its almost that day, then something sets me back like this.... but its better not to rush on these things and do it right i suppose

 

[country0001]

I was like that before I started my 4.0 swap, then when it started i was like.......AHHHHHH. Now I need to swap tcases before it gets too cold and nasty, Don't want another year without 4wd.

 

[4.0B2]

I always wanna rush and get it done, knowing that's not the best option. When I do this rear swap I'm gonna be without 4wd to. Gears won't match... Not till the d35 gets read to be put in. Spring probably. But I'll have a locked rear compared to open front and rear.

 

[adsm08]

I would rather go through a winter with an open front and rear than just a locked rear. That is my preference though. We get a lot of sheet ice on the roads around here. The 4x4 doesn't help me start, stop, or keep moving, but it does help me make those turns on the sheet ice.

 

[4.0B2]

Man I live in Mississippi. We don't get snow or ice. I just hunt out of my truck is what I mean by going thru the winter

 

[adsm08]

In that case, lock 'er up and get to it.

 

[4.0B2]

Yeah I live in the part of the country that ppl storm grocery stores and stock up on water, canned goods, and lights when there is an inch of snow coming. It's so funny!

So I'm not worried about needing 4wd to drive on ice or snow. 2wd will cover any snow we get. N furthermore if it snows an inch or two everything gets shut down so it don't matter I won't HAVE to drive lol

 

[4.0B2]

so is there no other "cool" stuff for the 8.8? idk even know what i'm asking.. lol

 

[94gexplorer]

a couple different places make diff covers you didnt mention that

 

[kolton]

I was gonna say a nice Diff cover. The riddler ones look freakin awesome IMO and I'm doubting you'll break it. Have the tubes welded into the diff. I know a few guys that have spun the tubes with only 33"s.

 

[4.0B2]

I have the ruff stuff diff cover, forgot to mention it.. Recessed bolts and fill n drain plugs. Freaking heavy thing!

 

[Shran]

Did your cover come with the drain drilled on the top of the cover...instead of the bottom? Mine did. I was like WTF. I emailed Dan and never heard back. Ruff Stuff has been alright in the past but I feel let down this time... took like 2-3 weeks to get my order too.

 

[88_Eddie]

you have a locker, diff cover, gears and disc brakes.....i think that covers all the cool stuff for the 8.8........broncograveyard.com does have some heavy duty axle shafts, IDK how much stronger they are than stock tho