Ford 8.8 vs Chrysler 8.25.
i have access to both, but i'm not sure which one is worth it. i know strength wise ford is much stronger, but stronger for what? a 400 hp car? i don't have 400 hp.
so, here's my question. is there anything out there that i can do with a locked ford 8.8 that a locked 29 spline chrysler 8.25 will not handle.
the reason i'm kinda iffy about the ford 8.8 is that i heard it's almost 2" shorter than stock XJ axles. and also, you gotta cut off the spring perches and shock mounts and set up your pinion angle and reweld all of that. i mean is it worth the time to do all of that instead of just getting a C8.25?

 

the 8.8 is definately stronger with 31 splines, the same as a dana 44. i say it would be worth it, you can also find one with disk brakes which is nice.

heres some specs onthe 8.8
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=719

 

I am on the d35 right now but i wanna change that. The 8.8 is stronger than 8.25. If you dont mind the work i'd go ford. Give you one less thing to worry about breaking.

 

you would be able to feel very comfortable and confident on a 8.8 with 35's, a chrysler 8.25 could handle too, but theres always the chance of breaking shafts, especially locked which puts more stress on it

 

go with the 8.8 or try and find a 44 out of an older Cherokee

 

what size tires do you plan on running?

 

but here's the question though. how strong is 29 spline C8.25 with a locker. has anybody broken an axle in one?
see stronger is a marginal term. i mean rockwell is stronger than dana 60, but that gives me no desire to have one under my XJ.
and Ford's 2" difference is making me think. i mean looks are not that important, but i would really hate to see my rear tires tucked under the fenders and front ones sticking out.
so, to recap... don't think in drag car terms, think in powertech 4.0 terms. which is effective?

 

oh, i am sorry. never mentioned the tire size. i don't think there's any chance in the world that i would have a desire to run anything higher than 33's. frankly i don't think i'll go past 32's.

 

do you guys actually know anybody that has snapped an axle on a 29 spline c8.25?

 

seems like you already have your mind made up, also the reason i ask tire size is because if you dont plan on going higher than 33's stick with the 8.25, it is fully capable to handle 33's and even 35's.

also some food for thought, right now im on 33's on a chrysler 8.25 27 spline with alloy shafts, have not broken anything, also the same axle handled 35's for a good part of its life. going to a dana 44 next week though.

so ithink you would be good on an 8.25 and throw in some alloy shafts.

 

I've been at this for almost 7 months, and believe me, I am done trying to locate a dana 44.

 

I found one at my local Pic n Pull,it was in a 2 door with a 5 speed.

 

that's more along my route. because two things that i hate are extreme overkill and unnecessary extra work. and as i said, i don't wanna have a rear axle that's 2 inches shorter than current one.
the main reason i asked this question was that i have access to both right now. i have a buddy who is basically a drag racing mechanic. and last week i trained his untrainable chow-chow, so he said that he'll do the gear swap for me.
i wheel on d35 right now and i've had zero problems, but a snapped c-clip axle on a trail means thousands of dollars worth of repairs.
i don't go mudding a lot. maybe twice a year. i do mainly forest trail riding. here's the main extent of strength i need.

 

I did. The tire was pinned on a root ball and I snapped it. I was on 31's at the time.

I have a 8.8 right now and its not 2" shorter. its something like 1.5" shorter. if you look at the rear you cant see the difference between the rear and front. I run 35" krawlers on it and never has an issue. the disc's are a HUGE upgrade.

if you are only going to run 32's find whatever is the cheapest and be done with it.

 

they are both the same price, and what do you mean be done with it?