I have a 1996 jeep Cherokee, 4.0 liter in line 6, automatic with a DANA-35 in the back that is bad. Here are my questions...

1. Can I swap a D35 with a Chrysler 8.25 (since I have access to one from a 96 Jeep cherokee sport 4.0 liter in line 6, automatic)?

2. If I can't, then are there some slight modifications to make that work

3. If so, what are they? And I am looking for the least complicated process to replace this rear differential

 

1. Don't even have a clue what your asking. Explain better please, is question 1 related to question 3 and replacing the differential or the axle itself? And search

2. Search

3. Search

 

You can swap. Will bolt right up

 

I don't think his questions where that hard to understand. Subject clearly says "rear differential swap question". To me, that clarifies his questions. Then he gives specfics on what differentials; "D35 to a 8.25". He asks if it doesn't fit, what mods are required.

The only reason I didin't answer him, is I myself don't know the answers but will be very curious as to the actual answers he gets. Considering I have a D35 in the rear, knowing how easily a 8.25 will fit will be vaulable information.

 

From what i understand it will bolt in, but you will need different u bolts for your rear leafs and the DS from the donar vehicle

 

So he's asking if he can fit a 8.25 differential in to a d35 axle? Because that would be stupid lol
That is where the question makes no sense, is he thinking he can swap the 8.25 DIFFERENTIALS in the d36?axles or is he asking if he can swap a 8.25 AXLE in place. There is a difference here and that point is where the confusion is, hell you're thinking he's asking about the diff but the poster above me is thinking he's talking about axles....... So clearly it's not so "clear" lol

 

Demonoid369 put down the ganja for a minute, you fail at reading comprehension lol


D35 to C8.25 swap:

1. Your new axle must have the same gear ratio as the old. Generally all 4.0L automatics since the 80s have 3.55:1 ratio (a few had oddball towing and fuel economy gears)
2. C8.25 and D35 pinions are different lengths, you will need need the drive shaft from the donor as well.
3. Manual, Automatic, and 2WD driveshafts are all different lengths, too. So find a donor with the same everything except for the rear axle, and grab the axle and DS.
4. You will need new U bolts to hold it onto the leaf springs.
5. Do yourself a favor and replace the wheel bearings and seals.
6. Brakes probably need refreshing

 

I would assume he means swapping the entire d35 housing and internals with an 8.25 housing/internals. The answer is yes, direct bolt in swap, the only difference between the two being the 8.25 has a longer pinion so you need the drive shaft from the donor vehicle. No mods required. Easy as drop the 35 out. Reverse procedure with 8.25. As pointed out you do need new (larger) u-bolts.

 

Lol hey I only ask for people to use the correct terms. You know as much as I do there is a difference between asking about swapping a DIFFERENTIAL, and swapping a AXLE lol

 

There's a difference between being a stickler for semantics and being a **** to a newbie with one post lol

 

Eh cant see it's his first post. But being a newbie, I just wanted to make sure he was asking about swapping diffs or axles as I know I've seen a few threads here asking if they can swap the internals from a 35 to a 8.25 and vise versa

 

Wow, so I didn't mean to cause this much confusion. Yeah so I am not a pro. I am just a dude who can't afford a mechanic much less a new car who knows enough about cars to dig into this. I was hoping I could just swap the whole thing case and all and it looks like I got my answers so I want to thank everyone who (constructively) replied and got me a little further down the line on this project. Hopefully I wont need to post here too often but I am glad to know there are good helpful people on this forum. Thanks again and take care.

 

YOU didn't cause the confusion at all.

Do you have any lift on your Jeep?

Get the u-bolts and spring plates from the donor vehicle, driveshaft if possible. You're good to go.

 

Methinks you are low on coffee. No reusing U bolts!

 

Not coffee at 7:49 PM......