So it's been a minute since I've done anything to the XJ lately. What with work and all of my other projects I seem to collect or suddenly shift over too, I've just not done much to it. However, I have had this little project going on in the background. I stumbled across this almost free 8.25 a couple months back, so I decided I would refresh it, take advantage of the gearing bump and finally get around to converting the rear to disk. On with the pics!!

stock 29 spline 8.25 w/3.55's




Added Ruff Stuff shock brackets





Decided to go with a RS cover as well...




I wasn't so much a fan of that lip... so... I cut it off.




Time for paint!




Black sexy! If you'll notice, I went ahead and drilled the housing for an air locker later. It's plugged for now.




Sorting the ZJ Disk setup






All plumbed with custom braided lines from Crown Performance and a new hardline I bent up.



Out with the tired and nasty...



In with the hotness...



A good comparison shot.



All that was done... New axle seals, converted cross joint straps to u-bolts, changed from 3.07 to 3.55 (works out to be just about stock on 32's with my 5-speed), full ZJ disk and drum e-brake assembly, new cross-over hard line, 22" braided axle drop, braided lines to each caliper, RS heavy duty cover with SS button head screws, RS shock mounts, new grade 8 hardware and fresh oil.

What's to come? JKS bar-pin converters front and rear, with shock conversions up top. I've got some Bilstein 5100's coming for all four corners and I still plan to cut up my stock XJ cables to get the ebrake back. For now, I've dropped my front driveshaft to put off changing the gearing in the front yet. I'm happy with the 3.55 set but wonder how some 3.73's would be. For now, I'm just trying to sort my articulation limits and bumps... Pics of that to come; it should be pretty respectable.

Thought you guys might enjoy the shots.

 

nice clean axle. but all that and you opted out of welding on new antiwrap leaf perches?

 

Because I don't think those really make that much of a difference. The u-bolts will still be in te same place plus the leafs are sitting on the degree wedge, which is no bigger than the OE leaf mount.

 

Nice! I'm doing something very similar this spring (Actually the same thing sans the diff cover, air locker hole, and cutting that lip off)