Im shopping for a cherokee right now. In the past, when buying a vehicle, I never really found out the pro's & con's of whatever I happened to buy, untill it was too late, and then regretted not educating myself before I buy..... Well, I'm now older and wiser, so I'm educating myself as much as possible about a xj cherokee, to make darn sure I buy the right year, model, and features I want.
I know that I want a 97-99 cherokee, with 4.0l auto. I also know that the best rear axle is the 8.25, with no abs brakes. I plan on putting on a 3" lift &31's, so I should avoid a cherokee with a dana 35 & abs, because all cherokees with abs brakes came with the weaker dana 35.
My question is :
If I look for a 97-99 cherokee with a 8.25 rear & no abs brakes, are they common or rare ? Did many cherokees come with abs brakes (and dana 35) ? Are most of the cherokees with abs brakes, usually the top of the line" limited or classics "? Am I going to have to stricly look for a "sport", because they are'nt as fancy, and have usually less options, so they probably wont have abs brakes ?
I know that I want a 97-99 cherokee, with 4.0l auto. I also know that the best rear axle is the 8.25, with no abs brakes. I plan on putting on a 3" lift &31's, so I should avoid a cherokee with a dana 35 & abs, because all cherokees with abs brakes came with the weaker dana 35.
My question is :
If I look for a 97-99 cherokee with a 8.25 rear & no abs brakes, are they common or rare ? Did many cherokees come with abs brakes (and dana 35) ? Are most of the cherokees with abs brakes, usually the top of the line" limited or classics "? Am I going to have to stricly look for a "sport", because they are'nt as fancy, and have usually less options, so they probably wont have abs brakes ?
Senior Member
I have a 98 Sport 4 door with power windows/locks/mirrors/ac/cruise/cd/cassette/overhead console, and is automatic that got stuck with a Dana35 and abs, but my buddy has a 98 Sport 2 door with manual everything (including trans), no cruise, but has the 8.25..
I think the Dana35 was more common than the 8.25, but I don't think you can call 8.25 XJ's rare as I see those rears being sold relatively cheap online all the time (not like the Dana44 from the late 80's).
I think the Dana35 was more common than the 8.25, but I don't think you can call 8.25 XJ's rare as I see those rears being sold relatively cheap online all the time (not like the Dana44 from the late 80's).
CF Veteran
I have a 97 Country (Same as Limited) with no ABS and an 8.25... it's pretty much a tossup for newer ones I guess. Just learn how to play "name that pumpkin."
Senior Member
Quote:
Or pop the hood and hope not to see the pump taking up ALL that space near the master.. lolOriginally Posted by Jmb94
I have a 97 Country (Same as Limited) with no ABS and an 8.25... it's pretty much a tossup for newer ones I guess. Just learn how to play "name that pumpkin."
CF Veteran
All joking aside though, they're not bad. My Dad's TJ's 1st 35 went after 50k. But then he put one in with 4.11's. It's still on the Jeep now, which has 350k on it. It's spinning 31's...
I guess my point is don't make it a deal breaker. If you find the right Jeep for the right price, worry about the axles after it's in your driveway!
I guess my point is don't make it a deal breaker. If you find the right Jeep for the right price, worry about the axles after it's in your driveway!
Okay thanks guys. I plan on a using the cherokee as a daily driver, so I'm not planning on a rock crawling build project, but I do plan on a 3" lift with 30's or 31's, so I am trying to find a low mileage, rust free 97-99 xj. My goal is to buy a xj with the d30 high pinion front, and 8.25 out back, which is why I'm looking for strictly for a 97-99.
I figure a d35 will handle a 3" & 31's, but I also tow my double bed snowmobile trailer loaded with 2 ATV's, 4-5 hours drive up north to go hunting a couple times a year, and I may be pushing luck towing my trailer, along with the 3" lift and 31's ?? My double bed snowmobile trailer can hold 3 atv's, although I only bring 2 atv's up north, which is prolly 2500lbs total weight of trailer on the way up, its fairly light, however on the way back, I often have the extra weight of a 1000 lb+ moose or 2 big northern ontario 250 lb deer, so I could be towing 3500lb total on my 5 hour drive home. The last thing I want, is something grenade on my way to the hunt camp or home.
Do you guys think a d35 can handle a 3" lift with 31'$ & towing 3500lbs ? If its up to the task, then I wont avoid getting a cherokee with the dana 35. There are quite a few used cherokees around, so I still have lots to choose from........but, I did go look at a rust free 98 classic on the weekend, with only 60,000 kms on it (retired gentlemen used it once a week for grocery's). I was'nt stuck on the bright red paint (not a fan of red automobiles), but I was willing to live with it, but he told me it had abs brakes, so I passed on it, since I knew it had a d35. I know that I can swap out the d35 for something better, when I lift it, so I might go to the junkyard to see if theres any d44's laying around that fits.
I figure a d35 will handle a 3" & 31's, but I also tow my double bed snowmobile trailer loaded with 2 ATV's, 4-5 hours drive up north to go hunting a couple times a year, and I may be pushing luck towing my trailer, along with the 3" lift and 31's ?? My double bed snowmobile trailer can hold 3 atv's, although I only bring 2 atv's up north, which is prolly 2500lbs total weight of trailer on the way up, its fairly light, however on the way back, I often have the extra weight of a 1000 lb+ moose or 2 big northern ontario 250 lb deer, so I could be towing 3500lb total on my 5 hour drive home. The last thing I want, is something grenade on my way to the hunt camp or home.
Do you guys think a d35 can handle a 3" lift with 31'$ & towing 3500lbs ? If its up to the task, then I wont avoid getting a cherokee with the dana 35. There are quite a few used cherokees around, so I still have lots to choose from........but, I did go look at a rust free 98 classic on the weekend, with only 60,000 kms on it (retired gentlemen used it once a week for grocery's). I was'nt stuck on the bright red paint (not a fan of red automobiles), but I was willing to live with it, but he told me it had abs brakes, so I passed on it, since I knew it had a d35. I know that I can swap out the d35 for something better, when I lift it, so I might go to the junkyard to see if theres any d44's laying around that fits.
Registered Users
I would avoid anything with a TurD35 at all costs no matter what you do with your Jeep.. That damn axle is a rash on the Jeep worlds behind that will never go away.. Sucks.
With that said.. They are also unpredictable.. I've read of them holding up to 35's on the rare occasion and at the same time read about and seen them blow up on a town street doing 30mph while on 31's. Better safe then sorry, Stay away from the Turd, unless your gonna polish it with a super35 kit.. But even then not really worth it to me
With that said.. They are also unpredictable.. I've read of them holding up to 35's on the rare occasion and at the same time read about and seen them blow up on a town street doing 30mph while on 31's. Better safe then sorry, Stay away from the Turd, unless your gonna polish it with a super35 kit.. But even then not really worth it to me
CF Veteran
Quote:
I figure a d35 will handle a 3" & 31's, but I also tow my double bed snowmobile trailer loaded with 2 ATV's, 4-5 hours drive up north to go hunting a couple times a year, and I may be pushing luck towing my trailer, along with the 3" lift and 31's ?? My double bed snowmobile trailer can hold 3 atv's, although I only bring 2 atv's up north, which is prolly 2500lbs total weight of trailer on the way up, its fairly light, however on the way back, I often have the extra weight of a 1000 lb+ moose or 2 big northern ontario 250 lb deer, so I could be towing 3500lb total on my 5 hour drive home. The last thing I want, is something grenade on my way to the hunt camp or home.
Do you guys think a d35 can handle a 3" lift with 31'$ & towing 3500lbs ? If its up to the task, then I wont avoid getting a cherokee with the dana 35. There are quite a few used cherokees around, so I still have lots to choose from........but, I did go look at a rust free 98 classic on the weekend, with only 60,000 kms on it (retired gentlemen used it once a week for grocery's). I was'nt stuck on the bright red paint (not a fan of red automobiles), but I was willing to live with it, but he told me it had abs brakes, so I passed on it, since I knew it had a d35. I know that I can swap out the d35 for something better, when I lift it, so I might go to the junkyard to see if theres any d44's laying around that fits.
Sperm donor's Jeep pulls his 16 foot fiberglass jet boat. I, personally, have never actually heard a D35 horror story, I've just heard about them, so I tend to take it with a grain of salt. But that's just my experience and is no means the most experienced experience out there. I've always heard that the general consensus is that if you don't plan on spinning anything much bigger than 31's, you'reprobably safe. Again, just my .02...Originally Posted by blueflash
Okay thanks guys. I plan on a using the cherokee as a daily driver, so I'm not planning on a rock crawling build project, but I do plan on a 3" lift with 30's or 31's, so I am trying to find a low mileage, rust free 97-99 xj. My goal is to buy a xj with the d30 high pinion front, and 8.25 out back, which is why I'm looking for strictly for a 97-99. I figure a d35 will handle a 3" & 31's, but I also tow my double bed snowmobile trailer loaded with 2 ATV's, 4-5 hours drive up north to go hunting a couple times a year, and I may be pushing luck towing my trailer, along with the 3" lift and 31's ?? My double bed snowmobile trailer can hold 3 atv's, although I only bring 2 atv's up north, which is prolly 2500lbs total weight of trailer on the way up, its fairly light, however on the way back, I often have the extra weight of a 1000 lb+ moose or 2 big northern ontario 250 lb deer, so I could be towing 3500lb total on my 5 hour drive home. The last thing I want, is something grenade on my way to the hunt camp or home.
Do you guys think a d35 can handle a 3" lift with 31'$ & towing 3500lbs ? If its up to the task, then I wont avoid getting a cherokee with the dana 35. There are quite a few used cherokees around, so I still have lots to choose from........but, I did go look at a rust free 98 classic on the weekend, with only 60,000 kms on it (retired gentlemen used it once a week for grocery's). I was'nt stuck on the bright red paint (not a fan of red automobiles), but I was willing to live with it, but he told me it had abs brakes, so I passed on it, since I knew it had a d35. I know that I can swap out the d35 for something better, when I lift it, so I might go to the junkyard to see if theres any d44's laying around that fits.
Okay thanks guys. I think I'm just going to avoid any cherokeee with the d35 rear. There's so many cherokees for sale, Im pretty sure I can find one with thr 8.25 thats in nice condition. I'm calling ahewd to ask the owner if there cherokee has abs brakes, because if it does'nt, then I can better my odds of finding a 8.25 year end.
Ive got myself a binder, with several pictures of the 8.25 rear, and the d30 high pinion front, as well as a few other pics of some other things that I'm looking for in a used cherokee. Ive brought my binder with me, for a reference, while looking at a few cherokees on the weekend. I would of bought that one low km's xj, if it was'nt for the d35. Oh well, if memory serves me right, the best part of a new woman is the chase. (I'm married now, so a xj is my new woman).... Im looking for a woman with a big fat 8.25 rear end.
Ive got myself a binder, with several pictures of the 8.25 rear, and the d30 high pinion front, as well as a few other pics of some other things that I'm looking for in a used cherokee. Ive brought my binder with me, for a reference, while looking at a few cherokees on the weekend. I would of bought that one low km's xj, if it was'nt for the d35. Oh well, if memory serves me right, the best part of a new woman is the chase. (I'm married now, so a xj is my new woman).... Im looking for a woman with a big fat 8.25 rear end.
Registered Users
Quote:
Ive got myself a binder, with several pictures of the 8.25 rear, and the d30 high pinion front, as w
Originally Posted by blueflash
Okay thanks guys. I think I'm just going to avoid any cherokeee with the d35 rear. There's so many cherokees for sale, Im pretty sure I can find one with thr 8.25 thats in nice condition. I'm calling ahewd to ask the owner if there cherokee has abs brakes, because if it does'nt, then I can better my odds of finding a 8.25 year end. Ive got myself a binder, with several pictures of the 8.25 rear, and the d30 high pinion front, as w
Member
IMO the D35 shouldn't be a deal breaker, mine ran a 14 ft trailer with 6 dirtbikes on 5 hours trips regularly. It was still running strong at 190k when I had the super 35 kit installed. that being said, we babied it.
Senior Member
As I said, my 98 Sport 4 door has a Dana35, the abs has already had fuses pulled when I bought it, it has 369,000km (I'm in Ontario too lol), running 4.5" lift and 34x12.5 mud tires for a year now. It's an open diff, but I do burnouts, wheel hard and definitely don't take it easy on the rear and it hasn't broken.. yet.. haven't hauled any trailers though.
Senior Member
Quote:
The Dana 35 was only available with the Trac-Lok LSD option, none of them were open. One wheel peel just means its worn out and doesn't work anymore.Originally Posted by Cherokee9t8
As I said, my 98 Sport 4 door has a Dana35, the abs has already had fuses pulled when I bought it, it has 369,000km (I'm in Ontario too lol), running 4.5" lift and 34x12.5 mud tires for a year now. It's an open diff, but I do burnouts, wheel hard and definitely don't take it easy on the rear and it hasn't broken.. yet.. haven't hauled any trailers though.