When I started wheeling rocks & realized I liked that a lot better than mud, I treated the XJ to an axle swap from the stock D35. All of my wheeling is hours away from home & since I'm not a mechanic, I plan for minimal breakage. Upgrading to minimize breakage I think is a good way to go rather than waiting for something to break. You never know when/where it might happen ... and carnage doesn't care if you're 3 blocks from the local repair shop or 5 hours from home with a bunch of strangers & few tools.

Plan ahead.

That being said, and to stay on topic, it's already been told. For bolt in upgrade, Chrysler 8.25 w/ 29 splines. Modifiable upgrade - Ford 8.8 w/ 31 splines. I never recommend the XJ 44 because any you find is likely old as heck, needing full rebuild and parts aren't that easy to find.

 

^x2
The reason I suggested upgrading to a stronger axle is the OP stated that he was making a trip to Moab! As for only having 31s and not being able to do harder trails, the reason I bought a Cherokee was because I went to Moab with a guy in a Cherokee running 31s and he did Behind the Rocks, and Prichertt Canyon, a couple of the hardest trails in the US.

 

Uh pritchett and behind the rocks are far from the hardest trails in the us. Very far.

 

Uh didn't say they were the hardest, said they were a couple of the hardest trails in the us, and they are. I've been on harder trails, but only a couple. Harder obstacles lots, trails not so many.

 

thanks for the option of the modifyable upgrade but neither me or my dad want to deal with that but i like your story too and since I live in central NM and i know for sure Moab UT isnt close at all so i agree completely

 

this is actually going to be my first trip to moab im going with my dad we both have experiece wheeling but we just want to be prepared for near anything

 

parts for it are actually very easy to find and there are more after market parts compared to the 8.25. plus its a pretty good idea to tear apart any axle that ur going to be puttin in just make sure all the bearings and seals are good.

 

From the "Experts" - Stick with your 8.25. There isn't a better axle for regular offloading in an XJ with wheels 35" or smaller.

You'll just be wasting money trying to upgrade.

I anything, upgrade your front to a Dana 60, leave the rear as an 8.25 till it breaks. You'll be hard-pressed to break it.

 

He doesn't have an 8.25... he has a dana turdy five

 

yeah im asking in this thread what is better than my current dana 35

 

You could ****** a 8.8 from a ford exploder

 

yeah but i dont want to deal with the modification

 

Them grab an 8.25 from a 97+ it bolts on, and is by far stronger

 

thats what my plan was thanks guys!

 

Glad we could help! I'll be doing my swap in a few weeks, so if ya have any questions, let me know