So I ditched the old 8.8 that needed everything and grabbed a new one.

I started shopping around for places to weld it, seeing as how I don't have a welder.

Jeepers Den quoted me 265+parts.

TJ's 4x4 warehouse quoted me $60 per hour.

Who's done it, how long does it take?

If I can get out in an hour with parts, I'll spend $120.

 

Just ask those two shops how long it will take them.

 

When I welded up my expo 8.8 I did the spring perches, shock mounts and welded the tubes in about 1.5 hrs total. Keep in mind a good welder will pre-heat and post-heat when welding the tubes to minimize the chances of warping the housing (since you are welding mild steel tubes to cast steel housing, and the cool/contract at different rates).

I did mine with 7018 electrode (stick welding).

A shop using MIG could theoretically get it done faster.

 

Too bad you live in FL. I could weld that pretty quick at my shop.

 

Wanna take a vacation? :-P

Alright, I was talking to some Jeep guys around here with 8.8's they were saying around 2 hrs.

Luckily, my dads friend is a fabricator and said he'd do it free. I'm still planning on throwing him some cash.

I'm going with the ruffstuff 31 spline swap kit, I figured Id be coming out close to 120ish with chinese parts. So 120 for their kit is good stuff. Unless someone has some other suggestions on parts.

this is what she looks like right now. Got all the rust off and treated it to some rustoleum, didn't really do the tubes yet, gonna wait until I get it welded up.

1998 Ford Expo, 68,000 original miles, 3.73, L/S.

 

That looks like my expo axle about 2 months ago:



Ruffstuff makes good parts, very beef, that is what all my crap is. I highly recommend their u-bolts and plates. Pure beefy.

 

Sweet, Looks good in there.

I can't wait to get this thing done. Opened up the inspection cover and not one thing wrong, the magnet wasn't covered with much stuff either.

As soon as the parts get here she'll be going in, the only things I need are brake lines and rotors/pads.

The park brake stuff looks good, I'm not gonna mess with any of it.

 

i wish i could pull the rear end out of my carquest work truck. 8.8 Open 4.10 Disks errrr

 

Yeah, I wanted 4.10's but I figure I have plenty of power with the 302 to spin 33's on 3.73, so I should be fine running with 30's.

When I put 33's on it, after these guys wear out, I might consider a front and rear regear.