Hi guys, I'm a newb here and had some questions about ring and pinion gears.
I'm building a plow rig out of an '87 cherokee pioneer. I had to replace the rear drive shaft and the yoke that attaches the drive shaft to the rear diff, because the previous owner destroyed them due to shot u-joints, last night I had the yoke and drive shaft off and went to pull the rig forward in 4 wheel drive to roll the rear tires on to some new chains I bought for it. There was a loud crunching noise and when I checked it out it looked like the splined shaft that the yoke rides on had fallen down into the rear diff, it was very loose and so was the inner bearing I could see.
I took the diff cover off and found that I had chipped the ring gear inside. I've attached some pics, my question is how bad is this and will the whole thing greneade it I try to drive it like so?

Thanks!

 

no comments, really?

 

The gears are toast and yes it's gonna grenade in a big way if you try to use them. Ditch the axle and graba D44, or Chrysler 8.25 from a donor XJ. The D35 is a turd no matter how much money ya throw at it.

 

wish I could help but I don't know jack about diffs..I would either get a new rear end or fix it cause yes if you drive it you will grenade the rear end..

 

Thanks guys, thats what figured. I've started looking around for new rear ends, but have ran into a couple of questions.
The gearing in there now is 3.07, 13 teeth on the pinion and 40 on the ring. Most gear sets or axles I find that have the 3.07 gearing have 14x43, I'm assuming the gearing needs to be an
exact match to whats in the front end or things wont be happy in 4wd, or is the difference so minor that it doesn't matter?

 

The axle did you a favor. It's a dana 35 and SUCKS so do what frankz said and get a 8.25 or 44 from a donor. Can't be anymore than $200 bucks and that's WAY cheaper than fixing that damage.

 

Can I find a dana 44 to match the gearing thats in the front axle?

 

Probably not but you can get a D44, or Chrysler 8.25 Just pull both the front and rear axles out of a automatic cherokee say a D30/D44 combo with 3.55 gears. It will give you lower gears for more power for snow plowing and also if you want to run bigger tires. Very cheap upgrade well worth the money in my opinion and it bolts right in. Good luck

 

thanks for the input!

This might be a total newb question, but I just got off the phone with J/Y and they told me that they had a Spicer 35, but not a D 35. I thought they where the same thing? Is there a difference?

 

Dana and Spicer should be the same, just new company name..question is did it come out of a Jeep Cherokee..

 

Yes, it came out of a cherokee, what does that mean?

 

Well a D35 or Spicer how ever they want to brand it that doesn't come out of an XJ will have to be modified for shocks and spring pads..

 

It means that it will bolt right in place of the turdy five. You need to match the gears or the front diff to be able to use 4WD though.

 

Oh, I get it. Thanks guys.

 

i have a d44 for sale and has 3 54 in it. and has new ring/ pinion/ 10 in drums and bearings pm me if your interested