Is there any way to tell if a 8.25 is a 27 or 29 spline without pulling the axles out and counting the splines? Is there a date stamp or code or something? Its cold outside, Im feeling lazy and hoping there is an easy answer.

 

other than taking it apart and counting you can contact crysler and they will send you the spec sheet on your jeep. here is the link
http://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp

click on i need customer assistance then click on send us an email then fill out the form. they will email it to you or you can call the number on the contact us page and they can tell you.

 

Late 1996 -2001 8.25 rear axle are all 29 spline.Late means last quarter of the year.(I believe)

 

Wouldn't a late '96 be like the second quarter of '96? Might be able to count the splines just by removing the cover, not positve.

 

29 spline only came in 99-01 XJ's

 

Negative, our '98 is 29 spline.

 

'97 and later used 29 splines, but they changed this halfway through '96 production, so late production '96s also have 29 splines.

my '96 is early, and has 27 splines

 

29 spline has a longer yoke. very noticable

 

One of my 96 XJ's came with the 29 spline 8.25 from the factory. It was a changeover year so many of the later build dates got it.

One interesting note about the 8.25 is that it is used in the Jeep Commander. I have a 5.7 Hemi Commander and it has the 8.25

What is most interesting about that fact is that in the Commander the 8.25 is a "full floater"! The center section is identical. They are known to hold up very well under towing conditions and even with a 380hp beast twisting it.

 

Out of curiosity, what does the door sticker show for the build date on your '96?

 

That XJ is dead and gone-RIP Big Red, KIA by a Chevy truck

I honestly never looked or cared, I'm a mechanic and set-up diffs so I just got out of some work on that one. I usually convert 27 splines over to 29 by installing lockers and alloy shafts anyway. The housings are identical, the carriers/shafts are the only thing that needs to be swapped.

 

 

I have a 96 XJ with a 29-spline. Its sweet. 10/96 manufacture date.

 

and its 97-01 XJ came with 29-splines not 99-01

 

Thanks for the link that you posted greengoblin. It will come in very handy.