Hey whats up everybody. So I have a 95 xj with 4.5" of lift on 33's. I want to upgrade my axles. Now Im not a rock crawler or anything. My xj is my DD and my trail rig. I have no idea really where to go with axles. I want lockers front and rear and Im think 4.10 gears.

I want to hear some opinions on what axles to go with. Should I swap in some danna 44's? Find a ford 8.8? Something from a chevy? Im lost. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

In my opinion, ford 8.8 is the best way to go in the rear, thats what I am getting. And they come with 4:10's, a posi locker, and disk brakes. As for the front, stick with the dana 30, havnt heard of anyone having any problems with them, its not worth upgrading to a 44 in my opinion, just get a ARB selectable in the front. Would be perfect for DD/ weekend warrior, its what I am doing.

 

yea dude Im wanting to get arb's front and rear. Im just worried about my front axle being toast. Ive been told with 33's or larger that they cant take it. But thanks. Im pretty sure Im goin with the 8.8 in the rear

 

what rear end do you have now? the C8.25 even with 27 spline is fine for 33s

The front(D30) is fine for 35s, your 33s wont be a problem for it.

The bottom would be squared off such as this(below) if you have the 8.25

 

What about the spline of the 8.8? I also was looking into the 8.8 lol.

 

I know several people who are running 35's on a 30. I wouldnt worry about it till it breaks which I dont think it will. personally I am going to go with a ARB in the front and keep the rear posi. Will be a nicer daily ride and still very helpful off road, I dont do any crawling or anything like that just trail riding so I couldnt care less as long as I have a selectable up front, but thats just me.

 

+1

And 33s would even work on the D35 as long as its only light wheeling, but i wouldnt recommend that. As I said before check to see if you have the 8.25, if you do you're good to go up to 35s before you start to worry about the 27 spline 8.25 then you can just convert it to 31 spline and not worry until 37s

 

I have the D35. I just dont want to have to deal with my DD being down cause I broke it playing. haha But I think you guys have convinced me to just run it like it is now until something happens. so you dont recommend anything more then light wheelin on the d35?

 

I'd run it like that, carry extra axle shafts. Spend a couple hours one weekend and swap the shafts multiple times over and over so that if it happens on the trail it'll only take you 20 minutes to fix.

 

Haha well Im not tryin to pull of some kinda nascar pit crew speed with axle changes. I think Im just going to swapin an 8.8 when I get the chance and run it carefully (as careful as I can) until I can. haha would 32's be good to go on the d35? or is it pretty much trash?

 

Theres a reason its called the "turdy 5"

You dont need to be a nascar pit crew but if you break a shaft on the trail you're going to have a few pissed off people when it takes you 45 minutes to change one shaft because you've never done it before.

Figure out how to do it now and then wheel carefully and if it does happen you can change it.

32s will be pretty much the same boat. I know a guy who broke a D35 on 31s, given he was rough on it. I know another guy who ran 35s on his d35 but hes a complete retard.

 

alright gotcha. Well I guess an axle swap is in the near future. Kinda thinkin about just finding a c8.25 and building that up for my xj. but idk. I guess i will see what I find. Ford 8.8 or c8.25. thanks for all the answer guys.

 

harley182, we are in the same boat lol. Don't wanna trash our DD's lol

Just 1 quick question ( not tryin' a thread jack, just don't think it's worth a whole thread) Will the 8.8 work fine with a 28 spline? I might get 1 for just over $100

 

If you swap the 8.25 it'll be a lot easier than the 8.8 as theres zero fabrication, just bolts in.

for 100$ i'd take it. others would say its not worth it, just keep in mind its not as strong

 

If you have a choice between an 8.8 and 8.25 go with the 8.25. It's a direct bolt in. The 8.8 will need new spring perches and shock mounts and its a bit narrower and you loose about an inch of ground clearance.
BTW the 28 spline 8.8 is barely stronger than a 35.