Final Axle Assembly and Test Drive

Finishing the assembly and starting the gear break-in for the Ford 8.8" rear axle in my Jeep Wrangler YJ. This has been a good project.
Parts and tools-
Ultimate 88 kit - amzn.to/3UUsJYc
Solid diff cover - amzn.to/3UXq9k8
1/2" torque wrench - amzn.to/3Lnbz2n
3/8" torque wrench - amzn.to/427hSwz
I’m an affiliate marketer with links to an online retailer and receive commissions for purchases made through these links and affiliated sites.

[@jk_wrangler13]

I'm glad things worked out.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Me too haha, glad to be done with that portion

[@danhambrick6331]

Awesome job.👍👍Now I need to get my house remodel project done so I can build my Jeep.😁😁

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Thank you!

[@matthewmiller6716]

Thanks for the videos! Looks great. I need to do axle swap and regear to my tj but I’m scared and kinda broke. Your vids make it look possible tho. Thanks!

[@HardEarnedBacon]

If you have the space, time, and tools I say go for it!

[@dkhallal]

Looking good! I just started wrestling with my rear gears yesterday. Not a fun process for sure. I thought I was gonna luck out after the first pattern was pretty close but it went downhill from there. My shim kit does not have enough thinner (.005) shims so having to juggle what I have.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Yeah a very frustrating job for sure. I always seemed to need .003 one way or the other and the smallest shims I had were larger than that.

[@tophersgarage9841]

How’s it ride with the rear lunchbox locker?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Pretty annoying sometimes, mostly just tight turns. Sometimes doesn't want to unlock and pushes you straight, sometimes chirps tires, sometimes unlocks with a sudden bang, typical lunchbox stuff. I wouldn't want to daily drive with it but I'm sure you would get used to it eventually.

[@josevega591]

👍✌️👌😁

[@HardEarnedBacon]

🤘

[@_Vexzz]

What rear bumper is that?

[@HardEarnedBacon]

Smittybilt