Bsulli

Horrible Idea? Okay for light wheeling? I'm looking to put the cheapest lunchbox locker I can find in my Dana 35 but I'm wondering if Id be better off looking for an C8.25? I want to get a locked rear for the cheapest price. Any Opinions?

jmm0122

If you lock a turdy five it will go boom. You would be better off swapping for a 29 spline 8.25 and locking that. Plus you will save money by not having to buy a locker twice, when the 35 inevitably blows up.

Evil Drew M

8.25s are potentially direct swaps with zero fab and they can easily handle 33s locked with no extra work.

If you are looking to spend a little more money you can find an 8.8 with a trac-loc in it and use it but you need to weld some brackets on.

A trac-loc isn't the best diff in the world but there are tricks the Mustang guys have to get more out of them (like an s spring out of a truck and extra clutch packs).

If it were me I wouldn't spend a dime on a D35.

captainofiron

The cheapest locker on the market that I have seen is the Spartan, AND even the price of that would be a nice "down payment" on a better axle.

I almost got one then I started to think about it, and decided to just wait

Fallen

I have a locked 35 and haven't had any problems. That being said, if I were you the only reason I would consider keeping it is if you're trying to keep ABS like I was. Even then I would play it safe and put on a super 35 kit ( completely worth it) which cost around $1000. If you don't care about the above ^ then do a swap. Ford 8.8 go beefy or go home

Desert Rat

Dana 35 + 33"s + locker =
Upgrading to a stouter axle will be the cheaper solution in the long run.

zr2toxj

Well there are ways of locking it and not breaking it. I bought my XJ with a Super35 kit already installed. It has an ARB which replaces the weak carrier and 30 spline alloy shafts. However, the housing is still weak.

Would I do it to a 35? Hell, no. but it was what the PO did and I figured I'd run it and it's held up fine to some pretty serious wheeling in the rocks with 34's on it.

My advice? Find an 8.8 or at least a 8.25 if you're thinking about lockers.

I don't think a cheap lunchbox locker would hold up well with stock shafts and the stock carrier in a 35.

Bsulli

Thanks for the info, the search for a new axle begins. Only thing im worried about is getting one with the correct gearing to match the front.

LongArmXJ

i have a locked 35 and run 33x14 boggers. i wheel it very hard just about every week. zero issues. and three or four of my buddies have locked 35 and one of them actually runs a 34 inch tire. do what you want but everyone will have their opinions. ive got a 8.25 sitting in the garage for when the 35 kicks it but its been running strong for 2 yrs.

DaveVmax

unless your running a super 35 kit id say dont waste your money or time.

00jeepXJ

in my 35 i ran a detroit locker for close to 4 years. The locker is what actually the major issue and it finally gave out before my 35 did. Granted this is only with 31's and is mostly a DD but it's wheeled heavy on the weekends and has never given me a bit of trouble. That said it is a weaker axle and is something that you should consider upgrading overtime.

Monterey ZJ

SUPER 35 KIT works wonders !!!!!

captainofiron

I have been wanting to design an axle truss that could just be bolted on.

I was thinking I could have it bolt up to the diffy cover, and on the shock mounts and have a few U-bolts secure it to the axle tubes.

I need to get off my butt and take some measurements