Originally Posted by caged

you could just lock the d35 and get away with it on stock tires and up to 31's, but 33's will snap it with stock gears.
that's where you want the 8.25 from the 98 and up that has 29 spline axle shafts where as the earlier 8.25 only had 27 spline axle shafts. hence the 27/9 (27 or /29).

if you're planning on 33's, just replace the d35 now with a locked 8.25.

and don't wheel alone, especially in a no go zone. lol.

Originally Posted by DUDE454

To lock it all you do is buy a locking differential, companies make them and they replace some of the gears that are inside your diff right now. A cheaper but good company is Aussie Lockers, there is Lock rite lockers, Powertrax lockers (I have and love). These are spyder gear replacements and are typically called luchbox lockers. The most expensive listed there is the powertrax and mine was $550 with shipping. Aussie can be $300 mabe less if you look.
Then there are full carrier lockers like Eaton lockers and ARB lockers. They are much more but they are super strong. They are really geared toward people with 35+ tires that do tough wheeling.
For what it sounds you get into then a simple luchbox locker should do. My buddys run an Aussie locker in his 8.25 with stock 3.55 gears and 33 inch tires for over 2 years now and has never had a problem

Originally Posted by caged

it's a must.
otherwise, when you pull the 4wd lever, both diffs will want to turn at different speeds, thus grenading your t-case. not good.

Originally Posted by red97cherokeewithsunroof

And whys the 8.25 so much better than the D35?

Originally Posted by MonacaYankee

It's a whole lot stronger and more reliable. Your better off getting an 8.25 and upgrading it then upgrading your d35. The 8.25 will be a whole lot better in the long run.

Originally Posted by caged

the 8.25 has a larger axle tube at 3 inches, rather than the d35 at 2.75. they may also be thicker.

also the ring gear is larger which makes it stronger. the bearings are larger, shafts are larger with more splines, pumpkin is larger...

as for the gears, they need to be set up professionally, not just put together.
they can cost around 250 per axle for gears and install kit, then about 3-400 per axle for set up. that's if you remove the axles and take them to the shop. if they have to remove the axles from the jeep, it will cost more.

you are almost better off looking for a set from a 4 cylinder jeep, as those came with 4.10 as a stock option, and would just bolt in place of your existing ones, (for the most part).

Originally Posted by red97cherokeewithsunroof

4cyl huh? like...wronglers...what years and types of jeep should i look for??