TJ 8.8 Swap Kit with Truss

Part Number: TR8801

47 Review(s)

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Includes all brackets in factory locations

Weight: 43 lbs Dimensions: 10x36x6

Availability: In Stock

Your Price: $467.49

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Description
Customer Reviews
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Instructions

TJ 8.8 SWAP KIT with AXLE TRUSS

All the brackets necessary for the popular Explorer 8.8 rear axle

swap into a Jeep TJ Wrangler ('97-'06)

Artec Industries is excited to announce the TJ 8.8 Axle Swap Kit. This heavy duty truss and bracket system is designed to take serious abuse and reinforce your entire axle while also providing the factory link, anti-sway bar, and shock locations. The 1/4" thick truss top incorporates a unique design to strengthen both the axle and incorporate the link brackets for ease of installation and added strength. By incorporating the link mounts into the truss, hours of work and trial and error can be avoided when compared to other bracket systems. Simply tack weld the truss together, place it on the axle and all the other brackets fit into place exactly where they need to be.

The Ford Explorer 8.8 features: same lug nut bolt pattern as dana 35, 3-1/4" diameter tubes as compared to 2.625" dana 35, disc brakes (1995 & newer), 31 spline axle shafts, 8.8" diameter ring gear which 120% stronger than dana 35, only 20 pounds more than dana 35, and a trac-loc differential stock. When swapping, the 3.73 gear ratio may need to be changed to match your Jeep gears and wheel spacers may be necessary to bring the width back to factory specs since the 8.8 is 1.25" narrower than the dana 35.

Features include:

1/4" thick mild steel truss and brackets for much higher strength than the factory bracket and other aftermarket brackets. Precision CNC cut and bent for great fitment.*
Includes all the brackets necessary for a complete axle swap including upper and lower control arm mounts, shock mounts, anti-sway bar mounts, tracbar mount, and coil spring mounts.
Save hours of installation time. Brackets are jigged into truss and set exact position automatically. All other brackets just need to line up to truss, no guessing and measuring involved.
Tracbar mount includes both factory location and lifted bracket location for those who have aftermarket lifts.
Truss is reinforced using interlocked 1/4 thick gussets for maximum strength and easy assembly.
Overall low profile design means your axle is stronger, sleaker, easier to fit into any vehicle, and less likely to interfere with vehicle components.

NOTE: This kit requires general welding and fabrication skills. Welding should only be done by a competent welder. Artec Industries implies no guarantees or warranties and is not liable for improper installation.

*Some grinding and fitment may be required when installing this kit. Every axle varies slightly and some fabrication may be required. Will require brake line relocation to fit.

Rating Snapshot

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Average Customer Ratings

5.0

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Shaved hours

The TJ 8.8 Swap Kit made swapping my 8.8 axle super simple. The beefy truss and bracket system fit together like a puzzle and took all the hard work out of swapping. A little welding and this thing went right under my jeep. I can't say enough good things about this kit. Dont do the 8.8 swap without it.

Did you find this helpful? 27 of 28 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: (Verified Buyer) Bobby Shreckengost from Lakeside, CA on 7/31/2014

Outstanding product

One of the best aftermarket products I have ever installed! And I install a lot of parts owning Milan Motorsports. Very high quality and fit (didn't have to modify/grind any parts for this installation). Basically removed the factory Explorer rear end brackets, put the new brackets on in their proper location and welded. Every part is labeled and the instructions a very easy to understand.

Did you find this helpful? 14 of 15 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: Tom Hersch from Milan, Michigan on 4/27/2015

8.8 Swap Kit

I bought the 8.8 swap kit with truss to install a 8.8 in my TJ. The kit is super beefy and well thought out. The instructions tell you which piece to use and the pieces have markings to let you know what is what. It can only go together in one way and makes setting the mounts on the axle a breeze. Everything builds off the truss and the truss only fits in one spot. Follow the instructions and check the fitment before final welding. Doing this will guarantee everything fits as designed. I would use this product again to install a 8.8 in another TJ. Well worth the money!

Did you find this helpful? 11 of 12 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: Jason from Austin, TX on 2/8/2014

amazing

At first I questioned my ability to put this kit together but I was wrong. The quality of this kit exceeds what I ever expected. Goes together like a puzzle.

Did you find this helpful? 6 of 7 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: (Verified Buyer) Eric Dauster from north jersey on 2/5/2014

Truss kit quality was excellent, all pieces were precision cut as advertised. Instruction sheet was detailed enough, and the photos on it were helpful. Nice product for an axle swap!

Did you find this helpful? 4 of 5 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: Bret from Ca on 1/26/2016

jeepin

Excellent kit! Follow the instructions and it goes together well. Two things I would recommend; Setting pinion angle is dependent on type of Drive shaft you plan on using. If you plan on using a SYE kit and a double cardan driveshaft, follow the instructions. If you plan on using the factory driveshaft it is important to set your pinion angle accordingly to avoid driveline vibration. Second, I found I need to rotate the shock brackets towards the back to allow the shocks to clear the brake lines.

Did you find this helpful? 2 of 2 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: Dewey Cash from Quesnel on 6/9/2018

Mr.

Great kit! fairly simple! The only thing that would make this kit any better would be a brake line kit or at least a parts list to use to fab the lines.

Did you find this helpful? 1 of 1 Found Helpful

Reviewed by: John Gist from Lawrenceburg, TN on 8/21/2015

Really well built product

What a well thought out kit. This was started and finished within a day. Well the fab part was, a bit longer for paint. Thick steel and really beefy. Adds a bit of weight so if that’s a concern.... I would recommend for sure.

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Reviewed by: Rick from Michigan on 3/25/2019

Great Product

This is a great kit for anyone looking to swap out their old axle for a ford 8.8, the instructions make putting the kit together very simple and the whole feel of the kit once installed is just solid. However even though the instructions make this kit easy to assemble, it is not a job for just anyone. This kit requires a lot of welding and taking your time to make sure every angle is what you want. The whole process took me about 2 days from tack welding and putting the rear in the jeep 3 or 4 times till I got everything just how I wanted it and then welding everything in its place. So if you are capable of doing the welding or know someone who can do the welding for you then I strongly recommend this product to anyone who is looking to do the 8.8 swap in their Tj.

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Reviewed by: Dylan Cropp from Fredericksburg Va on 8/14/2016

TJ 8.8 swap

This kit made my swap extremely easy. I couldn't be happier with it. The truss looks beautiful and is very well designed. I look forward to many years of smiles and abuse. Thanks for a great American made product!!!

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Reviewed by: Brad from Toledo, Oh on 5/4/2016

Outstanding product

Product is amazing. Install was super easy as everything is jigged. You can't really mess this up as long as you get your pinion angle set correct from the start. I have recommended to a few people already and only had it for a month. Ease of install is rediculous.

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Reviewed by: Caleb H from Hawaii on 4/2/2016

Mom

Awesome! Looks great, easy installation, so far works great!

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Reviewed by: Cherie provin from 80915 on 3/30/2016

grandfather

I purchased this for my grandson who is in the Navy. I installed the kit on a 8.8 Ford here in Indiana then drove to Norfolk, Virginia to install it in his TJ. Everything fit perfect with no additional modifications. This kit is awesome and looks very impressive. We have not installed the Slip Yoke Eliminator kit yet so we had to cut 1" from the transfer case output shaft and 1" from the driveshaft yoke. It has a vibration from 30 to 40 mph so hopefully the SYI kit will fix that.

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Reviewed by: Russ from Greenwood, IN on 3/24/2016

I originally plasma the stock hangers and spring pads off my tj and welded them on a d44, I then decided to go wiith a ford 8.8 the d44 was sold plus I did not want to re-plaz the stock hangers again so I purchased the truss kit for the 8.8 wow such a better way to do this swap! all parts are awesome to work with they fit just right for welding allowing cjp on areas welded with out grinding. I'll recomend this company and its products.

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Reviewed by: Steve from Roseburg on 1/24/2016

8.8 into a 2000 TJ

This kit was well designed, once everything was level and square it was a easy build, The quality of the workmanship and the laser etched labeling was great. I would recommend this company's products anytime.

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Reviewed by: Jay Parsons from Western Ky on 12/10/2015

Artec

The kit was sent promptly to me, and was fun to weld together. Looks great under jeep. Finding the angles the brackets needed was a small challenge but we got it installed in decent time. Thanks Artec!

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Reviewed by: Kevan from Painesville on 12/1/2015

Technical Communicator

Researched serveral mount kits for a ford 8.8 to jeep conversions, Artec system was fantastic, it construction was clean cut, fit well and structurally sound. My son is a welder and he was very pleased with the kit and its assembly. We would buy again.

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Reviewed by: Tommy R Hogan from Start Louisiana on 8/9/2015

the best tj swap kit

love it doing it to the front and the truss looks bad ass

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Reviewed by: charles lockrem from grass valley ca on 9/7/2014

Excellent design...

Very well engineered truss set-up. I was amazed at how well made it was, and how easily it went together. 5 star product!

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Reviewed by: Michael from Ohio on 6/18/2014

Mr.

Finding, purchasing, and installing this item was a breeze. The instructions were extremely thorough. I have also used it on the trail and its stood up to my abuse. After this purchase, I will definitely be using Artec again.

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Reviewed by: Corey Benson from South Carolina on 12/5/2013

Dana 44 Swaped

I bought this kit because it was an excellent value. I used this kit to swap a Dana 44 into my TJ and it fit on the axle with only having to do slight modifications to the truss. Really can't say enough good things about the kit. I have already recommended it to several friends who are doing the 8.8 swap into TJ's.

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Reviewed by: Spencer from Wisconsin on 11/12/2013

Great Products & Service

These kits are great, they fit together perfectly and our customers love them! Fast shipping and great customer service make this a winner!

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Reviewed by: Ian from Tampa,FL on 9/3/2013

Well thought out piece of equipment

Product assembled as stated in the well done directions. The fit and finish was quite good. for a few bucks more than others are charging for the TJ bracket kit, Artec gives you a fill truss. Thanks Artec.

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Reviewed by: Dean O. from Oshkosh, WI on 7/31/2013

Very Happy

Couldn't ask for a more easy to install kit. Everything was straight forward on the install no need to cut off to fit. Over all would buy again when I do another swap.

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Reviewed by: James from Washington State on 5/27/2013

Awesome!

I really cant say enough good things about this kit. It makes it so easy to swap an 8.8 into your Jeep. Everything went smoothly, quality is great, etc. One thing though, is the Artec plate that goes under the coil bucket, there is no mention of it on the instructions, I had to go online and see where it went. Would be nice if they added that. Other than that the experience was awesome and I've had no problems!

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Reviewed by: Matt from if on 5/16/2013

Q: What's the average time for install at a 4x4 shop?

Asked by: jeeptj - 10/19/2016

A: Depends on the shop, but typically we see 4 - 6 hours to bare the axle and install the kit. Install and other options will of course add to this.

Was this answer helpful? 4 of 4 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Artec Staff (10/20/2016)

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Q: The angle for the shock mount n lower control arm it says 64, 74 from level witch being the top of the truss back level not the pinion?

Asked by: Cole - 11/20/2016

A: Yes, Pinion Angle should be set then Truss is set to zero degrees. Everything then goes off the Truss angle.

Was this answer helpful? 4 of 4 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Artec Staff (11/21/2016)

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Q: would this truss kit work with a wagoneer dana 44 rear?

Asked by: codys727 - 7/16/2016

A: Yes it can. Refer to the instructions tab that outlines the changes to the base instructions necessary to make it fit a wagoneer d44 and possibly other axles.

Was this answer helpful? 2 of 4 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Armando Verdugo (7/28/2016)

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Q: Does this kit allow for adjusting the pinion angle to compensate for a lift? I only ask because it says the truss can only be installed in one spot. If everything else is keyed off that, it should allow for adjustment.

Asked by: Jeremy - 3/12/2017

A: Yes this allows for different pinion angles. Please refer to the instructions for specifics. http://www.artecindustries.com/assets/images/Company/documents/88tjinstallinstructions2.pdf

Was this answer helpful? 2 of 2 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Nate Price (3/13/2017)

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Q: The shock mounts are they compatable with most different shocks same with the control arm mounts? Or are they to tight and need opened more?

Asked by: Cole - 11/21/2016

A: These should fit most shocks and control arms designed to fit the factory mounts.

Was this answer helpful? 1 of 2 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Artec Staff (11/22/2016)

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Q: Is this kit compatible with the chrysler 8.25?

Asked by: Tubbytj - 4/18/2017

A: We have not tested it in house however with some modifications similiar to those outlined in the instruction tab for use with a wagoneer d44 and d60, you may be able to get it to work. Many customers have been able to adapt this kit to many axles such as a ford 9inch as well, so it's likely it can work with adaptation.

Was this answer helpful? 1 of 1 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Nate Price (7/11/2017)

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Q: What's the total weight of this kit ?

Asked by: Kostas - 1/24/2018

A: The 8.8 Swap kit weighs 45lbs

Was this answer helpful? 1 of 1 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.

Answer provided by: Tom Kellough (1/24/2018)

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Q: Will the 8.8 truss kit fit a 05 TJ Rubicon with 44 rear end? And do you ship to Canada ?

Asked by: Trever - 5/22/2018

A: The ford 8.8 truss is offset 2" to the passenger side due to the housing on the 8.8 not being centered like the dana 44 that is in your rubicon . The 8.8 truss is also contoured to work specifically with the 8.8 housing .

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Answer provided by: Tom Kellough (5/23/2018)

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Truss Upper Link Mounts

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TJ 8.8 Swap Kit with Truss

TJ 8.8 SWAP KIT with AXLE TRUSS

All the brackets necessary for the popular Explorer 8.8 rear axle

swap into a Jeep TJ Wrangler ('97-'06)

Rating Snapshot

Average Customer Ratings

Q: What's the average time for install at a 4x4 shop?

Q: The angle for the shock mount n lower control arm it says 64, 74 from level witch being the top of the truss back level not the pinion?

Q: would this truss kit work with a wagoneer dana 44 rear?

Q: Does this kit allow for adjusting the pinion angle to compensate for a lift? I only ask because it says the truss can only be installed in one spot. If everything else is keyed off that, it should allow for adjustment.

Q: The shock mounts are they compatable with most different shocks same with the control arm mounts? Or are they to tight and need opened more?

Q: Is this kit compatible with the chrysler 8.25?

Q: What's the total weight of this kit ?

Q: Will the 8.8 truss kit fit a 05 TJ Rubicon with 44 rear end? And do you ship to Canada ?

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