F8.8 Under the XJ [Archive] - Arcticoffroad.com Forums

AZRedRockJK

24 Nov 05, 06:25 pm

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This is where I'll post up pics and info on the F8.8 install into my XJ. The first thing I'll cover is the mounts. Originally, I had planned to go with M.O.R.E.'s spring perch kit, but have found something better.

Bob at TnTCustoms, is hooking me up with a set of their U-Bolt eliminators. These can be purchased with built-in lift, or stock height, relocated shock mounts and bumpstop plates.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_305_full.jpg

Stay tuned for more...

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LawsonEOD

24 Nov 05, 06:46 pm

Interesting setup.

sevenslats

26 Nov 05, 10:27 am

Nice. Looking forward to more pictures.
I take it Bob doesn't offer those in chrome?

LawsonEOD

26 Nov 05, 05:02 pm

I take it Bob doesn't offer those in chrome? :ROL: :ROL: :ROL:

AZRedRockJK

26 Nov 05, 06:15 pm

Nice. +Looking forward to more pictures.
I take it Bob doesn't offer those in chrome?

No, but the bolts are pretty shiny.

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AKJeeper

29 Nov 05, 12:02 am

Awesome Gary. Looking forward to seeing the install pics

LawsonEOD

29 Nov 05, 03:10 am

Well seeing how you have found two 8.8's in the last 6 months where is mine?

AZRedRockJK

30 Nov 05, 07:42 pm

Well seeing how you have found two 8.8's in the last 6 months where is mine?

Aurora, Colorado... Come on down. $60 each. Complete. :wink:

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akxj

08 Dec 05, 01:53 pm

you've had those axles this long and you're just now starting to put them in...

STOMPR

13 Dec 05, 09:03 am

Any progress? :popcorn:

crazy4ink

13 Dec 05, 09:36 am

Looks like a great project. I like the TnT u-bolt elim kits. Looks really clean.
Where are some more pics??

Jamakeit

13 Dec 05, 12:06 pm

It looks like a good part but what happens if the perch weld brakes free of the axle tube? at least the standard U-bolt would hold it under the spring without those I hope you have a good gas tank skid.

STOMPR

13 Dec 05, 01:08 pm

Thats a good point. :!:

AZRedRockJK

16 Dec 05, 04:11 am

you've had those axles this long and you're just now starting to put them in...

Missy's has been in... the XJ has taken a back seat lately. +:(

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AZRedRockJK

16 Dec 05, 04:12 am

nate379

08 Jan 06, 10:00 pm

I am I the only one that can't read the purple writing?? I have to highlight everything you right!

AZRedRockJK

10 Jan 06, 05:48 am

I am I the only one that can't read the purple writing??+ I have to highlight everything you right!

Just changed it. Should be better now. Who made the forum so dark? I started cutting off the Ford mounts last night. Should finish grinding the tubes smooth tonight. Bob's installing one of their new trusses too. Can't wait. Should be done and on the road by the weekend... with pics.

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ChevyKev

10 Jan 06, 11:50 am

Good deal, Gary. The u-bolt eliminator kits look great, but I want to hear a write up on their durability a year form now! ;) Not doubting, just wondering, and I know you'll put 'em through some stress.

AZRedRockJK

12 Jan 06, 05:39 pm

Good deal, Gary.+ The u-bolt eliminator kits look great, but I want to hear a write up on their durability a year form now!+ ;)+ Not doubting, just wondering, and I know you'll put 'em through some stress.

Will do. Today, the 8.25 came out, and I got the new alloy shafts in, and mounted up the new caliper brake hoses. We set the 8.8 in place and tacked the U-Bolt Eliminators where they need to be for a good pinion angle, and then dropped the axle back down. Tomorrow, we'll weld the truss on, and final weld the eliminators and shock mounts before painting it and running the hard brake lines. Sorry, about pics... forgot to carry my camera along. Will do tomorrow.

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AZRedRockJK

13 Jan 06, 04:41 pm

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Remembered to carry the camera with today... but for some reason the memory card was acting up, so still no pics. Got everything welded up, and the axle's bolted in place. Just need to fill her up, bleed the brakes and weld on the shock mounts and drive it home.

Since I don't have pics yet, I thought at least a link would work for now...

http://www.tntcustoms.com/webV3/88truss.asp

Stay tuned for actual pics.

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4x4_MMMH_4x4

14 Jan 06, 03:57 am

interested in seeing pics of this... and im really interested to see how the ubolt eliminating thing does

AZRedRockJK

14 Jan 06, 12:38 pm

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Okay. Project complete, and it drives great! Doesn't even feel any different from stock. I'm still trying to decide if the braking is better with discs. I'm gonna have the rotors checked for wear. The truss came out great, and the U-Bolt Eliminators made the install easy to do. The only possible issue I see with the 8.8 under an XJ is the 1" clearance of the caliper bolts to the leaf springs. I hope I don't end up having to drop the axle down just to do brake work. I'll have to ask others who are running F8.8s and see. Anyway, here's pics...

A shot showing how she sits normally...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_318_full.jpg

And here I drooped the suspension to show more of the truss...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_319_full.jpg

A view of the truss top from the rear wheelwell....

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_320_full.jpg

And a front shot of everything....

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_321_full.jpg

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TJVigilante

14 Jan 06, 03:32 pm

looks sweet, wish I had a source of 8.8's at the price you pay for them.

Jamakeit

14 Jan 06, 05:33 pm

Looks great Gary, I like the truss too, what about your driveshaft? Were there any mods to make yours work or did you just get a new one?

AZRedRockJK

14 Jan 06, 08:22 pm

Looks great Gary, I like the truss too, what about your driveshaft?+ Were there any mods to make yours work or did you just get a new one?

Just bought the necessary Spicer Flange Adapter to make my existing one work. Allows the 1310 U-Joint to mate up to the Ford flange. $40, unless you can find a Spicer dealer and sometimes get them cheaper. But, in AK... it would probably run higher.

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sevenslats

15 Jan 06, 07:14 am

What's the truss for? Just strength, or are you going coil?

4x4_MMMH_4x4

15 Jan 06, 08:04 am

drools :o

AZRedRockJK

15 Jan 06, 11:32 am

What's the truss for?+ Just strength, or are you going coil?

Mainly strength for now, but who knows... a link suspension w/ coils could be down the road.
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akxj

18 Jan 06, 07:18 am

What's the truss for?+ Just strength, or are you going coil?

mine is also trussed up, not as nice as gary's but it's trussed...8.8 axle tubes apparently are known for spinning....i had welded mine to the diff housing (thanks brentt) and then also trussed it too...

gary looks really good man...is bob going to being coming out with a 14-bolt truss by chance HINT HINT!!!

AZRedRockJK

18 Jan 06, 09:08 am

gary looks really good man...is bob going to being coming out with a 14-bolt truss by chance HINT HINT!!!

I'm sure he'd truss any kind that they can measure and get a pattern on the table. Bring it down.

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AZRedRockJK

18 Jan 06, 09:17 am

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A little added touch (Ford oval)...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/637000-637999/637794_322_full.jpg

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4x4_MMMH_4x4

18 Jan 06, 10:00 am

:insertcrazyguysmiley: i thought your bling meter was already maxed out??? jk jk looks nice man

AKJeeper

29 Jan 06, 06:24 pm

There's hardly any clearance between the upper caliper bolt and leaf springs with the disc brake setup on my 8.25. I can just BARELY get the caliper off w/o having to drop the axle. I have to loosen the bolt, pull it as far out of the caliper as possible, rotate the caliper towards the rear, then pull the top bolt out. The lower bolt has just enough clearance to be removed.

That 8.8 looks really good under there - I'm jealous! :)

Keep up the good work man!

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The only possible issue I see with the 8.8 under an XJ is the 1" clearance of the caliper bolts to the leaf springs. I hope I don't end up having to drop the axle down just to do brake work. I'll have to ask others who are running F8.8s and see.