Did my Jeep come with an 8.25?

Is this worth keeping/upgrading? Should I swap to something better?

I really want to fix my parking brake and upgrade to disc brakes, your advice would be very helpful.

 

Looks like a Chrysler 8.25. Looks to be in decent shape.

Whats wrong with it?

 

Yep, that's an 8.25. What year is your XJ?

 

I have a 93.

 

I doubt anything is really wrong. Some people swap in Ford 8.8's or a D44. I've been happy with my 97+ 8.25 and you can't beat the JY availability and ease of swapping another one in if needed.

 

You can swap in a 97+ 8.25 to step up to the 29 spline shafts.

 

Crud, I just found my answer. I thought I scored big, but I just saw they changed the 8.25 after '96 to a better 29 spline, and mine is most likely 27 spline and equal to a D35?

 

Is that a full rear end swap?

Best economical upgrade is hit up a junk yard and take the entire rear axle assembly from a 97+ with a 8.25?

Is there another upgrade to consider with a goal of disc brakes, rear locker, and mild off roading on 33"s?

 

Yep and you can swap on a set of KJ rear disc brakes. There are a lot of write ups online if you search.

 

I wouldn't say it's that bad, it's probably in between the strength of a Dana 35 and Dana 44. Where as the 29 spline is almost as strong as a dana 44. I have the 27 spline 8.25 and I beat the crap out of it and have never had any problems.

 

27 spline C8.25 is a stronger shell than a D35, but a very narrow neck section (where the shafts enter the differential) reduce the torque and shock loading capacity to about that of a D35. I would run a locker OR 33s on it, not both. Should be fine with locked 31s or limited slip 33s. Or go real easy on it and take spare shafts with you!