i find it pretty funny that you automatically call me a liar?

and fyi i have seen almost every terrain in this xj (dirt, rocks, mud, clay, u name it) and i have literally never had any issues with it, and i live by the notion that if you cant make it over push harder on the skinny pedal.

think what you want but i stand by what i said before.

 

Buy that D44, thats cheap as crap!

 

Until you factor in i'll need to buy a new locker for it, it just doesnt sem like enough of an upgrade, if someday i decide to top 33's then i'll get an 8.8.

 

im gonna side with you man i have a locked 35 too on 33s and i beat on that rear lol its held up with 4.11s and me on the pedal but im still upgrading to a 8.8

 

i didnt mean buy it and put it on your XJ..........................buy it and sell it for more...................

 

Buy it, put it in storage, if you ever blow up the 8.25 you will have an upgrade, if dont ever blow it up, and you get rid of the jeep, sell it, you will get more for it than you paid, think of it as a long term investment.

 

i like the 8.8 upgrade a lot there easy to find, and you get disks in the rear, mine stops great now

i upgraded my 8.25 to a 8.8 31 spline non limited slip

the axel looks huge under it, i think the axel tubes are actually the same diamater as a dana 60

ive even heard people even say that a 8.8 is stronger than a 44

 

Figured I'd piggy back this thread (hope the OP doesn't mind) since I have a similar dilemma. I'm sitting here reading everyone say that the 8.25 is a tough axle (shame there isn't more aftermarket support for it). I have one now, but I have a line on an 8.8 already modded for an XJ + with disk brakes. My 8.25 is rebuilt less than a year ago, re-geared 4.56 & Powertrax locked, the 8.8 is open with 4.10, for $2 fitty. I know I'll have to regear & lock it, but I figure I can recoup some of this money by selling my 8.25. Anyone thinks it's worth going for? I'm not a hard core wheeler, but I like to go with the big boys even tho I'm only running 33s.

I dunno what Ford axles sell for, but my research shows that modifying it for the XJ gets tedious & pricey - and this one's already done. Thoughts?

 

250 is cheap, most that are still stock and geared higher run about that much.