I am getting the 8.25 axle to put in place of my dana 35. What all will I need to do the swap and can I reuse my current drum brakes so I can avoid having to bleed my brakes?

 

It would honestly be harder to pull the backing plate off and mess with it the. It would to bleed your brakes. But you will need new u bolts because your not suppose to reuse them and also the 8.25 is wider

 

Make sure it's an 8.25 from a 97+. It will have a 29 splined shaft versus the 27 spline in earlier models.

And you will want the driveshaft with the 8.25 because the pinion is longer on that axle so the driveshaft is slightly shorter.

 

On a lifted XJ, sometimes you can use your driveshaft.

Just bleed your brakes.

 

Its a 29spline and I thought I could use the ubolts from my d35.

 

no the 8.25 is had different sized axle tubes. You will need new ubolts.

 

Good to know thanks

 

The whole thing is pretty easy to do. Did it to mine about a month ago. Bolted right in. Like others have said, new u-bolts for the larger tube. I went ahead and got all new brakes for it when I did it. Drums on my Dana 35 were 10" x 2". The 8.25 needed 9"x2.5" Drums anyway so it was no big deal. 125 at autozone for everything (cylinders, shoes, hardware, drums)

I have not had an issue with the driveshaft, but maybe I'm a dipsh.... dipstick and don't know any better.

Good luck!!

 

Lol makes two of us then My buddy just put new brakes on his 8.25 so no need to worry bout that

 

Dumb question I know Im gonna get flamed for it but oh well. How do you bleed drum brakes? I have never had to do it before so I have no idea where to begine.

 

Same as discs you bonehead!!!

Well, you said you'd be flamed. LOL!

 

With drum sticks .

 

I didn't have an issue on my 89's driveshaft either.

C8.25 brakes are better than D35 anyway. It's the crappy front calipers and master cylinder that you'll want to upgrade next.

 

Lol thats funny I know how to do discs so if its the same Im guessing theres a bleeder valve some where