1. Will a Ford 8.8 rear end work in a liberty?

2. Wouldn't a front diff from something like a V6 dakota fit a liberty and end our Dana 30a pains?


If both of these questions are dumb, just tell me

_________________
-oooooo- ---Craig, L.O.S.T. #CT068103
/______\ ---http://jeep.allgris.com
O||||||||O ---'02 Sport 4x4, 5-spd,
[]--------[] ---2.5" BDS lift, 245/75/16 MT/Rs, Moab Rims, Locked and Regeared!
[]_____[] ---The list got to long, go to my web site for more!

The 8.8 can work,you will need to cut off the spring pads and shock mounts and weld them on the 8.8.The difficult part would be fabing up something to work with the upper tri-link balljoint that needs to be attached to the diff(it's bolted on our 8.25's).Not sure about the dakota front axle going in,it could also work but brackets would have to be fabbed upped also to hold it in and may need custom cv's also.May be more trouble than it's worth but not sure,really never looked at a dakota front end before.

I have not explored the front end options at all, I have no idea there.

But as for 8.8, it is possible, but not worth the trouble IMHO. Slightly bigger r/p but otherwise not a big improvement. The 8.25 is a good axle, MUCH better then the Jeep dana35! The are upgrade option for the 8.25 as well. Alloy axles, c-clip eliminator kits, etc....I have not been in a Libby 8.25, but I believe it should be the same as other 8.25's....I need to do a little digging in the parts books, but I bet we can up the axle splines too....

_________________
2006 CRD KJ sport 2.5" with 235/85/16's
95 F250 PSD (not stock)
73 Bronco Buggy (REALLY not stock)
90 Miata (sold)
'49 Studebaker PU (sold)

Actually, the 31 spline 8.8 is a big improvement over the 29 spline 8.25, but it is not worth the trouble of setting it up for the KJ since the 29 spline 8.25 is quite capable of handling up to 35" tires.

Don't know anything about the IFS question.

_________________
WWW.ROCKLIZARDFABRICATIONS.COM

No one has really experimented around with the front IFS, you can try if you want. Be sure to tell us how it goes.

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

Looks like I get to be the guinee pig. It's not a guarentee that I will do it, was just asking, but I'll see if I can find a cheap used front end from a larger dodge type vehicle and see what happens.

_________________
-oooooo- ---Craig, L.O.S.T. #CT068103
/______\ ---http://jeep.allgris.com
O||||||||O ---'02 Sport 4x4, 5-spd,
[]--------[] ---2.5" BDS lift, 245/75/16 MT/Rs, Moab Rims, Locked and Regeared!
[]_____[] ---The list got to long, go to my web site for more!

Gris, I have been thinking about this thing a little, while you are researching, consider taking a diff from a sfa rig and have the tubes shortened and made to run our shafts in one way or another. A donor front diff should be cheap, im not sure about how much to have the mods done though. Some others have mentioned this but if you are really going to have a go at it, it would be worth considering at least.

_________________
It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox

I know people that have done that with toy centers and with 9"Ford centers....but they end up pretty wide.
Older Corvettes had a IRS 44 center, hummers (the real ones) have AMC 20 independent centers. Also look at the F150 and Expeditions as they have an 8.8 IFS that is hi-pinion.
Just some ideas....

_________________
2006 CRD KJ sport 2.5" with 235/85/16's
95 F250 PSD (not stock)
73 Bronco Buggy (REALLY not stock)
90 Miata (sold)
'49 Studebaker PU (sold)

work on finding a workable front upgrade before thinking about going to a ford 8.8. The 8.25 is fairly stout especially for the ability needed for the KJ.

Unless you are building a true rockcrawler your waisting your time... the KJ is not the best platform to start from, IMO for that.

_________________
2004 Silver Liberty Sport 4x4 (gone)
1996 Land Rover Disco I
L.O.S.T #000522 Life Time #JH053535

Just remember the Hummer's AMC 20's center section is also aluminum,it's the H1's geared hubs that take almost all the stress off the cv's and diff.Unimog portal axle's are the way to go .