99 cherokee limited with the dana 35 rear with 3.55 gears. should i go with a direct replacement or is there a better option? but money is tight.

 

Go with a Chrysler 8.25. Most automatics are 3.55 ratio. I picked one up over the winter for $100.00. AFAIK it should bolt right in (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

 

X 2, find a used ChryCo 8.25 in a junkyard XJ with auto tranny, that the yard dude will guarantee is good. Pop the cover off and have a look for yourself before you buy it, too. Gearing will be the same 3.55:1 you have now. Consider your D Turdy 5 taking a dump, a blessing in disguise...in that it happened on the road and not 90 miles from nowhere out in the woods 4wheeling.

 

thanks guys i take it no one is a fan of the dana. does any year xj fit? and your saying they all have the 3.55 gears?

 

The only reason I can think of a 99 having a D35 is you have anti lock brakes. If you do then changing to the 8.25 is gonna be a PITA if you want to keep them or even if you want to take them out.
IF and it's a BIG IF you don't offroad much then it might be more economical to just find another D35 with the antilock on it.
Don't believe some of the guys here that just looking at 35 will break it. These guys are also running 33 inch tires or more and drive overland 20 miles to get milk at the store around the corner. They're diehard off road freaks. their stuff needs to stand up to their abuse.
You say you are short on funds, so think this through and get A LOT more info before you procede. What is exactly "Shot"? It may be easier to fix it.

 

X2 if your not an off roader then go with a Dana 35 they are good axles but if you do a lot of 4x4 then you should upgrade do alot of reading before you make up your mind and look around also never listen to just one person

 

at a pull it yourself junk yard it's not uncommon to get an axle for less than $150... and the other matching parts for an additional 50-$75... drive shaft, a what not

also make sure you get a 1997 or newer 8.25 as it is a 29 spline axle...

the 27 is still a great axle... but might as well go for the gold

 

For what it would cost to fix your TURD-E-5 or get a replacement, you could get a 29 spline 8.25 out of a 98 or newer XJ. Get one out of an XJ with the auto tranny and it WILL have the same 3.55 gears as your XJ. All automatics, all years had 3.55s. Big rip if you lose anti-loc brakes in the rear. they have the most effect on your front brakes, anyway.

 

X2
D/35 is a pos axle, go with the C/8.25, if you have ABS just pull the fuse. Not a pita.

 

i dont see how it is a POS axle. ive ran 35'' super swampers and its lincoln locked (welded) and hasn't broke yet. running 30in tires and road driving i highly doubt your going to break that axle. i know tons of people break axles on the 35, but unless he's rock crawling i think he will be fine. if he can find a 8.25 or a 44 and make it work that would be better but their not always available. axle swaps are real easy too.

 

Mine came with 3.31s from the factory. 3.55 was just the standard gear offered. Just like any other vehicle you can order whatever ratio you want from the factory.

 

Your's is also an 85. 84-86 the Jeep 4.0 litre engine was not offered in the XJ, either. Everybody in XJdom knows those were the wierd years for the XJ where they came from the factory with GM and whatever else drivetrain componants that AMC could beg, borrow or steal from other Manufacturers. I correct myself. All XJs 87-01 that came with a 4.0 litre I-6 and AW-4 Automatic transmission, also cam with 3.55:1 axle gears.

 

True but I also put a 4.2 in mine. Yes it is an AMC (All Makes Car) but if you go to the dealer and custom order a vehicle you can choose whatever options or gearing that is available. But for our friend here's question axles are a dime a dozen im the bone yards so for about 100 bucks just go pick one up. You might get lucky and find a 44!