Superior Axle, Super 88 Kit installed

[Joe Dillard]

Last Thursday I decided to take the day off work & meet with Mike Denton (owner of Superior Axle) and folks from his technical team and install their second beta Super 88 Kit. Nailer341 (Erik) installed the first prototype/beta kit in his Jeep a few days earlier - now it was my turn.

While I'm not a spokesmen for Superior in an way....this kit is Superiors answer to feedback that was gathered by many wheelers who either run an F8.8, were considering it as an optional upgrade, and from others who simply chimed-in wanting more strength and upgrades for an already nice axle out of the box.

Granted, you can't please everybody - but this kit does a fantastic job at addressing things wheelers have been looking and asking for in a kit, and makes it simple to install to boot. It's 100% designed, engineered, made and tested all right here in the good ol' USA.

Us 8.8 folks who'd like to help prevent bending axles (which I've bent my share), eliminate the c-clip, install a HUGE outer bearing and seal, add some width (~.96" to each side), add chromoly shafts, and eliminate potentially bad side loads to the carrier cross shaft, this kit not only addresses all those items - it fixes them. Plus, the shafts are expected to be rated at ~9,500psi. while stock F8.8 shafts are ~6,500psi. And, if that wasn't enough, all the axle shafts come with wheel bolt patterns already predrilled and threaded for either 5x4.5 or 5x5.5 whichever you prefer to run.

The install is fairly strait forward in my book, and with a few typical hand tools can be done easily in the privacy of your own garage or driveway. A jack, a couple jack stands, wrenches, and a few other common everyday tools and you're over 1/2 way there as far as tools are concerned. Sure, air tools and a few other power tools can make it easier, but they are not required, plus there's no welding. If an old fart like me can do it by myself, most everybody else should be able to do it too.

I took it out for a little wheeling Sunday and was very happy with the way it performed. Here are a few pics I took along the way.

[Croaker]

VERY cool, Joe. I just finished up my 8.8 swap on my TJ -- and promptly trashed my transmission.

[Jeff Weston]

Originally posted by Joe Dillard
The install is fairly strait forward in my book, and with a few typical hand tools can be done easily in the privacy of your own garage or driveway.

That's good news for those of us who are shy with their mods.

Seriously, it looks like they've hit a home run with this one.

[ABQ TJ]

I can't wait

[Joe Dillard]

Originally posted by ABQ TJ


I can't wait

Mike brought your name up a few times the other day and I foresee a short wait.

[ABQ TJ]

Well, Brandon and I FINALLY got my kit in today.

Had to clean up the "replacement" shaft a bit. The one that was originally shipped was missing from the box. Looked like UPS beat the hell outta the boxes.





Also, due to this, I ended up the prototype of the prototype axle...this one was used to mock everything up, and I don't think it was ever really intended for use on a vehicle. It's still fine, just needed some "help". The one I got is for press in studs, and only single bolt pattern. Also, was about 3/8" too long...so we did some cuttin'!






The band saw wasn't working...I think the teeth on the splines were not helping the worn out blade any...so we switched to an angle grinder and cut off wheel.

[Stu Olson]

What is the status on this kit?

I was talking to a guy the other day who wanted to upgrade his 8.8 and told him to get one of these....but it's like everyone stopped talking about them.

Are these available to the general public?

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Stu Olson
What is the status on this kit?

I was talking to a guy the other day who wanted to upgrade his 8.8 and told him to get one of these....but it's like everyone stopped talking about them.

Are these available to the general public?

They are in production right now according to Mike Denton. I suspect he will be updating very quickly as the magazine with the full install story just hit the newsstands.

[ABQ TJ]

well, that's good to hear...I'd like to see the production-run shafts.

[pcoplin]

So this is a bearing/bracket assembly that allows one to bolt the axle like a D44?

That's very cool, it's good Superior is giving us some good options.

[ABQ TJ]

yeah, it's an incredibly slick design, honestly.

[Stu Olson]

Tim.....when are we doing our write-up?

[Tim]

Originally posted by Stu Olson
Tim.....when are we doing our write-up?

i havent heard from anyone and didnt recieve one yet. i think im out of the loop.

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by T.Dome
i havent heard from anyone and didnt recieve one yet. i think im out of the loop.

No, you're not out of the loop. They had a snafu with UPS losing some parts, so that screwed up the prototype distribution.

The alloys are in production and as soon as they get done a kit will be on it's way to you. Hang in there.

[Tim]

i hope that didnt read like i was upset.



looks like were still on stu!

[Stu Olson]

OK....I'll keep some empty pages ready for it.