Keep stock axles or upgrade?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So it'd be fine to beef up the 8.25 with chromos and maybe even truss it with 35s and a rear disc conversion? I honestly would rather wheel the 8.25 until I break it beyond repair and then upgrade. I don't really want to replace a perfectly fine (to my knowledge..) axle you know?
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 361
From: Andover, VT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
So it'd be fine to beef up the 8.25 with chromos and maybe even truss it with 35s and a rear disc conversion? I honestly would rather wheel the 8.25 until I break it beyond repair and then upgrade. I don't really want to replace a perfectly fine (to my knowledge..) axle you know?
I'm torn on what to do for lockers. Two detroits is what I want but they're super pricey for me.
I'm running a HP D30 & 8.25 that I built last winter. I'm not too worried as I'm on 35" MTR's 4.56 & air lockers f/r. Unless you're crazy with the skinny pedal or running bigger tires I think the 8.25 & D30 are fine for 35's. I'm running stock axles too. I like to have weak points away from the ring & pinion.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm running a HP D30 & 8.25 that I built last winter. I'm not too worried as I'm on 35" MTR's 4.56 & air lockers f/r. Unless you're crazy with the skinny pedal or running bigger tires I think the 8.25 & D30 are fine for 35's. I'm running stock axles too. I like to have weak points away from the ring & pinion.
I have to figure out if I have a 27 or 29 spline.. lol I used to know but it's been a while.
Or does it matter? I thought I read somewhere if I get a 29 spline locker, that I can use 29 spline axle shafts? Or is there more to it than that?
CF Veteran




Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 361
From: Andover, VT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
I only have chromos in my D30 right now. There's these, they may be cheaper elsewhere: http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scri...idCategory=294 I have to figure out if I have a 27 or 29 spline.. lol I used to know but it's been a while. Or does it matter? I thought I read somewhere if I get a 29 spline locker, that I can use 29 spline axle shafts? Or is there more to it than that?
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetrai...FYxDMgodJhQARA
I'm not sure about the 27/29 spline situation. Perhaps someone else can enlighten us.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1996.5 and up is 29 spline. If you're gonna put money in an axle it might as well be the best version of that axle. If you have a 27spl I'd upgrade to 29 or look for a D44/8.8 just for the hell of it. Think resale value
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
This is kind of a flawed thinking. the odds of you actually breaking a chromo are pretty low and making your shafts stronger doesnt necessarily mean youre risking your RP. thinking that a 15+ year old axle shaft is some how a safety net seems backwards. Not saying that you'll ever have a problem with stock shafts, because you may never have a problem, but chromo through and through is thoroughly better. Your RP is stronger than you think
1996.5 and up is 29 spline. If you're gonna put money in an axle it might as well be the best version of that axle. If you have a 27spl I'd upgrade to 29 or look for a D44/8.8 just for the hell of it. Think resale value
1996.5 and up is 29 spline. If you're gonna put money in an axle it might as well be the best version of that axle. If you have a 27spl I'd upgrade to 29 or look for a D44/8.8 just for the hell of it. Think resale value
So I'm still learning about differentials and and gears, I'll have an experienced person help me with this, but can I get 29 spline axle shafts and then like an Aussie locker and upgrade to 29?
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,659
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From: Dayton OH
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
No. The carriers are different. The 29 spline Aussie won't fit in the 27 spline carrier. However, if you get a full case locker like a Detroit. That will work.
I got my axles & sand blasted them, then painted them, new brakes, bearings, regeared, lockers, etc before swapping them. Gear guys will probably charge less for R/P installs if the axles are out of the vehicle...
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
From: Dayton OH
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That in mind, here are the axles I went with. http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento...d-durango.html.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have the D30 and a 29 spline 8.25 which is only a very small amount weaker than a D44 so I plan on keeping both.
I have 2 sets of rims both 15" one with 33x12:50x15" and the other are a set of bead locks with 35" tires on them have 5 of each. Which set I run will depend on where I plan on wheeling at. If I'm running the 35's I will trailer the Jeep to where I plan to take off from, these tires were used when I bought them and I re-grooved them to use on the bead locks down to 8-10# psi.
As for lockers I have 2 Detroit Lockers in mine quality very quiet and strong with 4.56 gears and stock axles zero problems so far off road as this is not a DD.
I have 2 sets of rims both 15" one with 33x12:50x15" and the other are a set of bead locks with 35" tires on them have 5 of each. Which set I run will depend on where I plan on wheeling at. If I'm running the 35's I will trailer the Jeep to where I plan to take off from, these tires were used when I bought them and I re-grooved them to use on the bead locks down to 8-10# psi.
As for lockers I have 2 Detroit Lockers in mine quality very quiet and strong with 4.56 gears and stock axles zero problems so far off road as this is not a DD.


