i have a 1996 cherokee sport with the 4.0...im new to jeeps and i love the but i dont now what kind of rear i have...im guessing it a dana but what number if anyone can help please

 

This may help

Axles

Front Axles
Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - used 84-99 (some axles through 91 are vacuum disconnect, 92+ are non-disconnect, 89-95 with ABS have 5-297x u-joints, all 95+ have 5-297x u-joints, all others have 5-260x u-joints)

Dana 30 low pinion - standard cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear, 5-297x u-joints - used 00-01

Rear Axles
(Note on Dana 35 axles sometimes referred to as Dana 35C - The "C" does not stand for c-clip. It stands for "custom" meaning it came from Dana unfinished.)
(Note on 8.25 axles - none of these axles were used on XJs with ABS brakes. If you have ABS, you have the Dana 35. Without ABS you could have either axle. 8.25 axles are c-clip)

Dana 35 non c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used 84-89
Dana 35 c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used 90-01
Chrysler 8.25 - 27 spline, 1.17" diameter shafts, 8.25" ring gear, 3" axle tube - used 91-96
Chrysler 8.25 - 29 spline, 1.21" diameter shafts, 8.25" ring gear, 3" axle tube - used 97-01
Dana 44 non c-clip - 30 spline, 1.31" diameter shafts, 8.5" ring gear, 2.75" axle tube - used 87-89 on some(not all) XJs equipped with towing package.

 

It is either a Dana 35 or a Chrysler 8.25. Do a search on here people have pictures posted.

 

Or just look at the filler plug.

If its rubber its a D35.

If its metal, its not.

 

Not true - my 95 has a c8.25 with a rubber fill plug

 

If the bottom of the axle looks flat then you got a 8.25.

 

From the factory? Thats crazy! I thought it was only the D35s with rubber plugs.

 

yea my 8.25 is rubber too. tho not as clean as his haha

 

These pics are really misleading in my opinion. The chrysler 8.25 is larger than the Dana 35. The chrysler is also a better rear end according to almost everyone on cherokee forum.

 

It's not ment to be to scale, just show the shapes

 

The pics are spot on. All the rear ends look about the same size they just have different eggs shapes.

The only think about the 8.25 pic is that you can't see the flat bottom (as well) since it is apart of the axle not the diff cover.

Dana 44 is the best stock XJ axle.

 

But incredibly hard to find

 

I think that depends on your location.

I've seen a few, and I got mine with a truck included, ARB locked, all for under $1000.

 

This should be a lil better for ya.

 

http://www.jeep.com/wccsapp/universa...ull&category=U

If you contact Jeep thru the link above and ask them for a Build Sheet they will email you everything your Jeep left the factory with.