I am new to the forum and I am currently modifying my jeep for off road use and rock crawling what would be a better axle to use. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

Technically its just the GVWR of that vehicle the axle was under. It's a kinda old school rating system that doesn't really make sense anymore.

If you wanted examples:
1/2 ton would be a 44/9 out of a F150
3/4 ton would be a 44/60 out of a F250
1 ton would be a 60/10.25 out of a F350

However there are many different combos. Most will call "1 ton rears" any rear axle that is full float.. D60, D70, 10.25, 14 bolt etc. So technically a F250, a 3/4 ton truck, has a full float, "1 ton" dana 60 rear. But it only has a dana 44 front, making it "3/4 ton." But the tubes on the F250 D60 are much smaller than the tubes in a D70 or 14b.

It all depends on tire size, power and gearing, terrain, and the way you drive when choosing an axle for your XJ.

 

^x2
To fully answer this question more information is needed. What size tires are you going to run is probably the most important question, 33s or less, the D/30 front with a C/8.25 will be fine, if on the other hand your going with 35-37s a D/44 and 8.8 or 9 would be what I would recommend, 38s and up I would go with one ton axles.

 

I am going to be running 35s and the terrain is trail with a lot of tree roots to go over. Its my first jeep so I am trying to get as much information i can. Thank you

 

If it was me i would do the explorer 8.8 while your welding on the new mounting tabs fully weld in the axle tubes to the diff housing.And get a super 88 kit that removes the c clips making it stronger off road.The front is up to you some say keep the stock one some say you need a dana 44 or bigger.

 

I actually like the idea of the explorer 8.8 since the axles are the same width as my cherokee now. I am going to be building this spring tho since alaska is already freezing.

 

Also would it be a good idea to do a full floating rear end?

 

sure.

full floaters are generally more heavy duty and its definitely a stronger design. The weight of the vehicle is on the housing, and not the shafts themselves.

 

I have way to many questions. If I use the explorer 8.8 will I have to use the explorer transfer case and transmission?

 

No.... You need to start searching and reading more builds.

 

Im currently doing that.

 

All you need with the 8.8 is new perches and shock mounts and wheel spacers since it's a bit narrower. What axles do you have now? D44 was an option in 88 models.

 

It currently has the 30 dd in the front and 35 dd in the rear and ive been doing a lot of research and it seems those axles wont take to much of a beating. I also am going to go with 33 in tires. My buddy has some and they look really nice.

 

33s is pushing the 35 but a 30 should be OK. Easiest and cheapest swap would be a 8.25 out of a 97 and newer XJ. Bolts right in and can be had with the same gear ratio. Get the matching front 30 with the bigger u joints and you're good even with 35s.

 

Ive been looking on craigslist in my area and nothing right now for a newer xj all ive been finding was the d44 set up but since its winter maybe there will be some dead vehicles that i can get the axles from