bombdog

I'm about to show my stupidity here....What is considered a good rear end. I have a 97 sport and I think it has a 8.25. It that good? Is that ok for putting lower gears?

00jeepXJ

I have heard that those are decent up to a certain point, along with the Dana 35. I have a D35 currently under my XJ and like it. But if you plan on going up more then 3" or tires larger then 30" you should consider another axle. The D35 can handle moderate to light wheeling on 31's but from what i have seen that is pushing it. The ford 8.8's are popular and are stout as is the 9inch from ford. Dana 44's and up are really good but can cost you. Either way think about what you are wanting to do and how much you plan on kicking the snot out of the jeep and plan accordingly. I am in the process of building a 9inch to go under my XJ and i have a RE 3.5 Superflex and 31's with a locker in the rear axle and have had nothing but trouble. It all comes down to you.

SRT-10Jeep

Where would you find out what is under your ride?

bombdog

My biggest problem is that my wife thinks we need to spend our money on goofy things like the house payment and groceries for the kids. So my jeep hobby has to be on the cheap side. I have a son who has a 03 TJ with 33", 4" lift, cool bumbers, and lights. I gotta out do him but to be honest, I will on be the pavement mostly. I might hit the trails with him but will take the easy routes just so I wont break stuff. I got a great deal on some 15x10 polished wheels and 33" BFG TAs. Couldnt pass up the deal but now have to get a lift to get them under there. I thought I might lower the gearing to help the 97 sport get sown the road better.

bombdog

SRT
I'm not the smartest here but if you got to rustysoffroad.com you can find photos of various rear ends. Thats what I did and I think mines a 8.25.

itsaxj

you should be fine with the 8.25. thats what i have and i have 35in tires and havent had a problem yet and i wheel about every other weekend. and normally your axle will have a tag on it saying what kind it is. if its stock its either a d35 or a corporate 8.25. if there isnt a tag you just have to compair the bold patterns on the diff cover to figure it out.

storm101

Its not even really the bolt patterns, but more or less the shape of the cover....theres a pic with about four different covers labled on here somewhere.....

Do a search and you may pull it up!

00jeepXJ

If I remember this right the 8.25 has a flat spot on the bottom of the pumpkin ( the center of the axle or where the diff is) then is mostly round the rest of the way. I know that the D35 is round but kinda an oval shape. Have a local dealer run your vin, it's often free to have done, or crawl underneath and look for that tag if it's still there you will know what axle you have by what it has written on it. As for making your XJ better... I like a company by me in SE MI. Their name is JCR OFFROAD. www.jcroffroad.com. I have found there prices to be better then what i have seen out there. All built in the state of MI and they offer a good selection of things from bumpers to roof racks and cages. I am saving up the money ( stupid bills) to get some bumpers and sliders from them.

1990cherokee

I believe 97 is the first year they came out with the 29SP 8.25, if so then keep that i just got rid of the dana 35 for one very strong axles. you can put a 3 inch budget lift on your jeep and mild fender trimming and throw those 33's on; you can out do your sons TJ

sgtskid

you most likely have the 8.25 unless you have abs. In which case you have the d35. The dana is good until you start flogging it. 8.25's are pretty strong and would stick with it until you break it. I am about to put 4.56 and a locker in mine

sgtskid

even better
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f30/ax...ication-22594/

1990cherokee

you will be pleased just did mine