1991 Jeep XJ - Dana35 rear diff advice or






Texas trusted sources for Chrysler 8.25 3.55

Hello, I am in south Texas [south of Houston] coast area. Looking for advice on trusted parts source for replacing a rear Dana D35 3.55 on a 1991 Jeep XJ Laredo. The rear differential was clucking, scraping, and grabbing and we found THICK fluid [from previous owner] and metal chunks in the bottom. I'd like to go ahead and swap the Dana D35 3.55 with a Chrysler 8.25 3.55. Not worried about the 'best' deal, but just the best product. See them from various places [shipped], on EBay. No real 'good' salvage yards close to me on the Gulf Coast south of Houston. Don't mind driving to pick one up. Do you have any recommendations on a good source for a Chrysler 8.25, 3.55 rear axle? Thank you.

 

Anybody have any experience with these Dana35 rear ends, that can look at the photos and tell me if things look....out of place? Thank you.

**So I'll just talk to myself. Good notes.

What I have found is my 1991 Jeep Cherokee has a 'trac loc' type Dana 35. The PIN that is holding the spider gears and the end of the axles bounce against is likely all 'loose' due to the clutch packs being mostly disintegrated. Turns out they create a lot of slack. In addition, it looks like the PIN has moved around enough, it might have ruined the carrier itself. The axles also have some 'slight' mushrooming on the ends as if they have been hitting that pin quite hard. Trying to decide whether to garage the Jeep and pull this apart, or 'park' it in a none prime location and pull the differential to bench it in good light. My thought is, if I get it apart and decide it's not worth it, I'll be finding a donor Jeep anyway. [Food for thought.] Also, I could just order a $300 packed trac loc carrier from Amazon and just cram it in there and take my chances. Heck, I drop on this trashed one for 3 years....