currently have d30 & C8.25 and have an opportunity to swap axles to a 93 explorer XLT. is it a good move?

what does it run upfront? the 8.8 rear end is a nice upgrade. I would go pull disk brakes off of a 98 or later explorer tho

Not too sure the front - not too sure what the options are. I know back in the day I busted my front end and had to replace it with a vaccum axle (d30) - since I had no lines for the vac we had to weld the axle together. Not sure the impact of that has on this decision.

you wont be able to use the front axle off explorer because its a D35 TTB and not a solid axle. but the 8.8 is a good swap to do.

8.8 is an awesome upgrade for the rear, as mentioned above you cant use the front though

You might think about just doing chromoly shafts in the 8.25. If you end up having to re-gear the 8.8 you could just spend the money on the one thats already on it.

2 cents

If I use the 8.8 would I need to do anything to the front of mine? Like change the gearing?

It depends on the gearing you have now, and the gearing you get in the 8.8.

I believe the 8.8's came with 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10's. XJ's came with alot of the same gears. it just depends on what tranny and engine you have

edit: according to your specs assuming you never regeared, the 4.0 with the AW4 would have 3.55 gears.

someone please correct me if im wrong on any of that.

Yeaa I have not changed the vehicle at all. So I can 8.8 the rear and not change the front. What would compliment the rear?

A true dana 44. Not the JK ones that are dana 30 axle tubes and a dana 44 pinion. But a real dana 44. The front dana 30 is a pretty strong axle to start with tho! what tire size do you plan to run?

I wouldn't waste my time with an 8.8, unless it has disc brakes and LSD. Just buy better axle shafts for the 8.25.

Thats the important question. 8.25 with chromo shafts will hold up to 35's just fine. Many people run 35's without chromo shafts on the 8.25 with no problem also.

Regardless of the tire size you want to run though, i would not bother swapping an 8.8 that was pre 1995 because it wont have diskbrakes on it. Explorers are a dime a dozen in most junk yards, find one with disk brakes and the gear ratio you really want before you decide to swap.

Would a D35 4:10 gears be a nice upgrade for the rear? out of a 02 TJ?

if you are not putting on larger tires and dont plan to wheel it then its an ok axle. if you plan to lift your rig and wheel it alittle then no, that axle is a ticking time bomb