...just pondering for future JY runs and figured I'd post my thoughts - see if anyone has any advice or recommendations...

So I'm gonna need a rear axle. My list of 'wants' include: ~57-58" WMS & 5x4.5 bolt pattern, factory limited slip/capable, factory disc brakes, factory e-brakes, full-floating hubs.

While I have access to both an 8-1/4 and an 8-3/4...I really want something with factory disc brakes and factory e-brakes - all maintainable with off-the-shelf hardware - nothing 'one-off/custom', and for sure nothing that uses the El Dorado calipers, like ever.

The Jeep Cherokee D35 and Ford 8.8 come up a lot, and I think I'm leaning towards the 8.8. I'm just gonna have a nice warm 318 and an 833od 4-speed under my right foot, so not a ton of carnage-making torque to 'worry' about. Ideally I want a full-floating axle, and IIRC the only way to do that is with a modified D44, which is still a possibility, but not sure I wanna go through all the hassle of narrowing one.

My Demon needs an axle in the 57.5" WMS range, and if I understand correctly the 90-92 Ranger 8.8 (56.50") and 93-09 Ranger 8.8 (58.50") will be just about perfect, tho I do not think either are FF axles I think I could convert an 8.8 to be a FF unit.

Ideally I'd like an axle with a 3.08-3.55 gear ratio, with a limited slip.

Again...just posting my ponderings, and if someone out there has 'been there and done that' please lemme know - I'd love to hear about what's been done and how well it's worked out

- Sam