Ford 8.8 With Stretch

Hey guys, been a long time i know. So the jeep has been sitting for months now. Since i got the compression and leak down done. Fyi the best compression was 135psi and the worst leak down was 80%. Ive been saving to do a 4.6 Stroker swap. While im doing that I plan to build everything else. Ie: frame plating, axle swaps, gearing, lockers, etc. Ive decided to do a ford 8.8 rear end. however with the 35" tires the dana 35 sits really far forward. The tire is about maybe 2" from the front of the wheel well. I plan to have 37" as my final tire size. so im thinking with the 8.8 in there it wont be much different as far as how far forward or back it is. With the 37" tires it will rub the front of the well. just looking for ideas on moving the axle back. Ive got brand new leafs in already and i dont really want to have to buy new ones again but i also dont wanna move the spring mounts. Ruff Stuff makes a weld on perch that moves the axle back 2 inches but im not sure what the best way to go would be. Any ideas would be great to have.

Ben, I know what you mean. With taller lifts, the rear axle tends to move forward due to the arch in the spring. Just simple geometry there. But check and see with a little flexing if as the spring compresses, the rear axle will move backward. They all do. The question is if it is enough. I think you will find it is on 35s at least and possibly with 37s if the fender is cut enough. Might want to cut more and move the wheel out with a spacer too. The alternative is to have a custom main leaf maid at the foundry of your choice with a little more space front to center pin

[IMG]www.xjtalk.com/album.php?do=uploadpictures&albumid=634[/IMG]

You can see how the axle sits here. im not sure about how far it moves with flex. However you can see in the wheel well that it is rubbing the under coat off. There are 2" wheel spacers behind each wheel. and the rims have a back spacing of 4.75.

i guess my pictures wont upload.

Yeah, and I can't seem to fix it so it will either

That is ok. So i dont think the 35"s rub the front of the well at flex. It does rub the inner part.

Got a shackle on the back? might help push the axle further back when you stuff a rear tire

sent from my Samsoon S5 from the bottom of a mud hole