JT4x4

The Mud Pit => Wrenching => Topic started by: BlacXJeep on October 06, 2009, 01:16:03 AM

Title: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 06, 2009, 01:16:03 AM
Picking up an 8.25 rear end with 100k on it, to swap out my Dana 35 tomorrow for $70. Who wants to help do the transplant soon?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: calvynandhobbs on October 06, 2009, 01:33:23 AM
Let me know when. Have you picked up new ubolts yet? They are a different size since the tubes for the 8.25 are much larger so you'll have to change those out. Does the 8.25 have the distribution block for the brake lines still in the axle? On the 8.25 the brake line distribution block has a hole up the center and also serves as the vent tube attachment. On the D35 the vent line is separate and the distribution block screw is much smaller so they are not interchangeable. While you're at it you may want to look at your spring plates. Some have oblonged holes to match either axle, but I've seen others that don't. One of mine was cracked so I replaced those at the same time also.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 06, 2009, 01:51:09 AM
here it is
http://worcester.craigslist.org/pts/1372200736.html

the guy runs 37s on his cherokee with a 10 inch lift, hes a mud bogger type. He seemed pretty knowledgeable and yacked my ear off for about 20 minutes. haha. Anyways he says the brake lines are still on it and something about backing plates i think, and how they are interchangeable from the D35? Its got 3:55 gears, so I'm going to leave the insides alone untill I'm ready to go to 4.10s front and rear and lock it. I'll be picking up some U bolts for the 8.25 axle. My only question for now is with stock leafs and the AAL do I just buy stock ubolts, or do they need to be longer?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 06, 2009, 02:11:20 AM
let me know when you want to do this i work on the 17 th the saturday we could knock everything out and it would give me something to do
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: calvynandhobbs on October 06, 2009, 02:18:41 AM
If the brake lines are still on it you should be fine. Mine had the lines on it, but the distribution block was missing in between since he used it on something else. If he'll give you the spring plates for the ubolts that would be good since your current plates may not be wide enough to accept the wider ubolts. My 33s on 3.55 gears was bad on the road. I can't imagine how bad his was on 37s.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 06, 2009, 02:52:23 AM
he said he had regeared to 4.56 but it was too tourqey, so he went back to 3:55. hes actually running a dana 35, and its not even upgraded. I don't get it, but to each his own. I'll ask about the spring plates
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: Seabee_BUC on October 07, 2009, 01:58:54 AM
he said he had regeared to 4.56 but it was too tourqey, so he went back to 3:55. hes actually running a dana 35, and its not even upgraded. I don't get it, but to each his own. I'll ask about the spring plates

Makes me wonder if there is something wrong with it??? There is no reason someone would go through the trouble of installing an 8.25 in a trail rig and then go back to a POS D35.  ???  Just check it over good before you hand him the $$$$. My .02..  ::)
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: kirksjeep on October 07, 2009, 02:03:06 AM
he said he had regeared to 4.56 but it was too tourqey, so he went back to 3:55. hes actually running a dana 35, and its not even upgraded. I don't get it, but to each his own. I'll ask about the spring plates

Makes me wonder if there is something wrong with it??? There is no reason someone would go through the trouble of installing an 8.25 in a trail rig and then go back to a POS D35.  ???  Just check it over good before you hand him the $$$$. My .02..  ::)
X2

You may also need to take the brakes apart on the D35 and the 8.25 to install the E-brake cables.  What year is the 8.25 out of, is it a 27 or the stronger 29 spline? 
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 02:44:34 AM
well, he said he has some other stuff to call him about if I was intrested so, I'm thinking the axle is probably fine, but I wouldnt really know what to look for. It is suppossed to be out of a 97, so its a 29 spline. Otherwise I wouldn't have wanted it. Hope I didn't get screwed, but I'll have one of you fellers look it over for me. The weird thing is that he didn't know what I was talking about as far as the 35 being weaker. He only really does mud bogging, so I told him it was probably alot different for crawling. He thought there was something wrong with my 35, but I explained to him, i just wanted a whole other axle. Guess well see whats up.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: kirksjeep on October 07, 2009, 03:32:30 AM
Did the guy send you a pic?  They still used the D35 in the newer XJ's.  If this guy is a mud bogger it seems very strange that he hasn't broke a D35 if he has ever used it.  Did he mention anything about ABS?  Only the D35 had ABS.

Before forking over the cash ask for him to pull the diff cover.  If there is something wrong with it you might be able to tell if you can see the gears and you can check the gear ratio.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 04:29:15 AM
its def a 8.25, i know what the covers look like and he told me the gears are 3.55, I didnt pop the cover off because I was really in a rush. If I got screwed that would suck but, I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. He seemed decent and told me to email him about JT4x4 events. I'm gonna pop the cover off here at work and see whats going on inside.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 05:32:50 AM
just popped the cover off and the gears seem ok, no major wear or chips as far as I can tell. not like I have experience looking at these.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 07:00:57 PM
Got the u-bolts today, going to get new seals for it soon. Anyone want to help me knock this out this Sunday? Anyone with a garage preferably? Adam if all else fails I'll wait till the 17th, otherwise we can do all that other stuff I gotta do then.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 07:48:16 PM
looks like its an open carrier >:( and i spun the hub on one end and the other side spun the opposite way, so I"m positive its open. But I'm thinking about a powertrax, or something in the $400 range soon. Here it is
(http://i38.tinypic.com/znssi1.jpg)
(http://i36.tinypic.com/21aygxe.jpg)
(http://i33.tinypic.com/bjfhgg.jpg)
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 07, 2009, 10:18:32 PM
if you want to do it sunday i will help tell what tools you want me to bring and we can test it out afterwards
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 07, 2009, 10:48:42 PM
if you want to do it sunday i will help tell what tools you want me to bring and we can test it out afterwards

I want to do it sunday, but I was hoping to find someone with a garage. Paul W offered, but thats a hell of a drive. Worst comes to worst, we can do it at my dads in Willimantic. Should have the tools we need there.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 08, 2009, 12:20:01 AM
It also needs a pinion yolk seal. From what I gather this should be a pretty simple swap. hopefully the drive shaft length will not be a problem with the 3 inch lift, and the brake lines and ebrake lines should swap right over from the d35, and I'm hoping my drums and shoes I had just bought for the D35 will fit on the 8.25 also. I dont see why they wouldn't. Also picking up a ZJ V8 steering setup from a guy in RI tomorrow.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: kirksjeep on October 08, 2009, 02:32:56 AM
It also needs a pinion yolk seal. From what I gather this should be a pretty simple swap. hopefully the drive shaft length will not be a problem with the 3 inch lift, and the brake lines and ebrake lines should swap right over from the d35, and I'm hoping my drums and shoes I had just bought for the D35 will fit on the 8.25 also. I dont see why they wouldn't. Also picking up a ZJ V* steering setup from a guy in RI tomorrow.

The pinion yoke seal might require a dial gage inch/lb torque wrench which are pretty expensive and not easy to find.  You can mark the pinion shaft and count the number of turns to remove the nut.  It should be close enough to not mess up the gear lash. 
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 08, 2009, 03:07:04 AM
I think my dad has one of those, does it look like a bow and arrow?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 09, 2009, 03:21:08 AM
Since the yoke on the 8.25 sticks out about an inch more than on the dana 35, is my driveshaft going to be to long? If it is too long should I get rid of the TC drop, and try running it without.? Or should I just get an 8.25 drive shaft?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: calvynandhobbs on October 09, 2009, 01:49:16 PM
I'm trying to remember from my readings over the years and all I can think of is people that swapped axles, but also did a SYE at the same time. You're right though and the 8.25 is longer than a D35 so your driveshaft may need to be swapped out with one from a XJ that had the 8.25 stock. Kirk has a 8.25 in his XJ. Maybe you can measure the rear driveshaft on his XJ and compare it to the length of your driveshaft to determine how much difference there is.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 09, 2009, 05:30:55 PM
Maybe I'll just order a hack n tap and do it all at once. That's the other strange variable, the 242 transfer case. Is there anywhere local I can get the parts I need to do the Hack n tap? Little Adam and I were planning on knocking out the swap this weekend, Although, there are plenty of other things we could do, to include my ZJ V8 tie rod, and u-joints among other things. Boy this is nerve racking. Don't want to end up with a drive train vibe issue.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: calvynandhobbs on October 09, 2009, 08:01:48 PM
Remember that with a hack-n-tap you'll need a CV style rear driveshaft. It would probably be more cost effective to do this swap at the same time rather than buying a driveshaft now and then buying another CV style draftshaft when you do the hack-n-tap. The thing that's great about the SYE or H-N-T is that if you break a rear driveshaft while out on the trail you won't loose all of your transfer case fluid and you are still able to drive in front wheel drive.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 09, 2009, 08:50:02 PM
Ok I'm researching it all right now. Maybe you can break it down for me a little bit. What exactly do I need to do the hack n tap? If I have to wait a little while to do the swap I will to feel confident it will all go together smoothly. Besides that I have a crap load of parts on order or in my jeep waiting to go on. Just ordered smittybilt TJ flares, Tomken 2x4 sliders, engine skid and tc skid, Blue torch fab 8.25 diff cover. And I just picked up the ZJV8 tie rod setup. That should keep me busy a while. 
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 09, 2009, 08:53:55 PM
I got the shop on sunday
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 09, 2009, 08:55:41 PM
sweet. Either way I will take you up on using it. Think you can find me the parts to do the hack n tap before Sunday without having to order them?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 10, 2009, 04:51:23 AM
what do you need for A hack And tap i have never done one if you get me 2 parts list i Can see what i Can get
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 10, 2009, 04:56:29 AM
With your drive shafts i got A lot of jeep drive shafts At the shop if we have to we Can Cut one down And find A welder to make it happen for Cheap
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 10, 2009, 05:14:51 AM
I guess you can do a flange style or a yolk style. this is what I would like to do.
http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/np-242-hack-n-tap-sye-stock-front-shaft-24264/index4/
http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/84jeepxj/sye.html

Adam do you have an XJ front drive shaft by chance?
Otherwise im picking one up tomorrow.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 10, 2009, 05:20:20 AM
supposedly this would be the yoke i would need

(http://i37.tinypic.com/2ut6x5s.jpg)

but then i would need a CV style drive shaft
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 10, 2009, 05:53:25 AM
Yes i got one it witt need to Be removed from the np231 it is Attached to
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 11, 2009, 01:58:17 AM
the yoke Can we Cut down Another yoke that Came on A  different ds And stuff that in there for the hack And tap
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 11, 2009, 02:11:14 AM
If Any one wants to help out tomorrow let me or duece know if you need help getting on to Base
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 11, 2009, 07:55:24 AM
x2 or call me 334 7697 extra hands are welcome
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 12, 2009, 09:40:00 AM
Well the axle is in brakes don't fit right um i hate advance auto they gave me the wrong parts again duece smells funny stearing looks like it will fit the rear bumper should fit and i hate xj's  if any one wants to help a second shift would be awesome
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 12, 2009, 02:19:58 PM
Well duece is taking a nap  with his drive shaft we need to gain An inch Can i remove the t Case drop  to make it up
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: calvynandhobbs on October 12, 2009, 03:26:41 PM
Well duece is taking a nap  with his drive shaft we need to gain An inch Can i remove the t Case drop  to make it up

That will help, but I don't think you'll get a full inch. I thought he was going to pick up a driveshaft out of a XJ with the 8.25 axle. Did you put the hack-n-tap on the tcase yet?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 13, 2009, 03:12:30 AM
you don't want to raise the t-case back up.  the pinion will rotate downwards and the driveahaft will bind under breaking due to the angle.  don't worry guys all of your driveshaft woes will be fixed in a little while.  it may vibrate pretty good, but it will drive.  that's all that matters for now right?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 13, 2009, 03:18:18 AM
It also needs a pinion yolk seal. From what I gather this should be a pretty simple swap. hopefully the drive shaft length will not be a problem with the 3 inch lift, and the brake lines and ebrake lines should swap right over from the d35, and I'm hoping my drums and shoes I had just bought for the D35 will fit on the 8.25 also. I dont see why they wouldn't. Also picking up a ZJ V* steering setup from a guy in RI tomorrow.

The pinion yoke seal might require a dial gage inch/lb torque wrench which are pretty expensive and not easy to find.  You can mark the pinion shaft and count the number of turns to remove the nut.  It should be close enough to not mess up the gear lash. 

since the 8.25  uses a crush sleeve to set the bearing pre-load you want to be careful not to over tighten it when you go to tighten the pinion nut back down.  i use the inch lb torque wrench like kirk said..  they're actually pretty cheap i paid $45 for mine from Matco. 
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 13, 2009, 09:51:43 AM
Well we are wrapping up the swap in the xj it was not to bad the axle went together pretty easily and we only had a few problems like the drive shaft thanks paul and the new bumper duece's sawzall work was awesome and after 40 plus hours of wrenching i am a little loopie and have decided that i don't want to work on another 8.25 for a long time so don't ask
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on October 13, 2009, 09:56:41 AM
And one more thing the thing that could make this worse could have been if this was doug's Beater
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 13, 2009, 12:20:46 PM
that was crazy, its done and I can't believe I made it home. No vibrations by the way thanks to Paul stepping up last minute and helping us cut and weld a custom drive shaft. 30 hours, lots of cigarettes, fast food and coke.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 13, 2009, 11:26:44 PM
Howed the shaft work out anyway?  no vibes?
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 14, 2009, 12:49:20 AM
worked out great so far, no vibes and Adam and i thre in some new ukoints for it this afternoon. thanks a alot man.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 14, 2009, 01:45:24 AM
You  missed a good time after. i got stuck half way up my doors. it was a good time. the beer made work enjoyable this morning also
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on October 14, 2009, 01:59:46 AM
I was exhausted, we had been working for over 24 hours and I think I only slept an hour an a half. I had class at 10:30 this morning and it was all I could do to keep awake. Now I'm at work waiting for it to get dark so I can get my swingout bumper on.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 14, 2009, 02:27:00 AM
Nice
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: kirksjeep on October 14, 2009, 04:34:56 AM
that was crazy, its done and I can't believe I made it home. No vibrations by the way thanks to Paul stepping up last minute and helping us cut and weld a custom drive shaft. 30 hours, lots of cigarettes, fast food and coke.

Paul, nice job on the driveshaft.  If I ever get around to buying an XJ front shaft and cutting it down as a spare I might be giving you a ring ;)
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: PaulW on October 14, 2009, 07:56:25 PM
No prob. I can  get  them balanced also.
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: gearhead1985B on November 13, 2009, 11:28:12 PM
more pics
(http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu131/gearhead1985/091012_071739.jpg)
andy taking a nap he looks so cute
(http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu131/gearhead1985/091012_071739.jpg)
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on November 14, 2009, 12:44:14 AM
^^^ >:( Je Déteste Little adam!

(http://i37.tinypic.com/v2vh2e.jpg)
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: BlacXJeep on November 14, 2009, 02:57:57 AM
by the way we don't say cute... now go and eat some red meat!
Title: Re: 8.25 Swap
Post by: HOT-ROD on November 14, 2009, 03:50:01 AM
yeah, WHAT THE DEUCE????