Buc_Nasty_XJ

Hey guys,
Buc_Nasty here and I'm new to the forum. I have a question for all you experienced xj guys about a set of axles I'm about to go pick up. I'm currently running a 27 spline 8.25 in the rear with an open diff and 35's. It's geared 3.07, so it has very little git up and go, but I found a set of axles already geared 4.56 with a 29 spline rear and a Spartan locker in the rear and a HP Dana 30 up front. My question is: should I pull the locker and run an open diff, or do you think the locked 29 spline will be able to hold the 35s without causing any issues? I'm building this rig to mainly run national forest roads and to be a reliable winter vehicle, so take that into account as well. I'm also pretty light on the gas pedal and don't beat the heck out of it.

Rockhead

Hey. I'm in VA too. I run 35s on my Cherokee with the 8.25 29 spline and lunchbox locker. No problems and its been a few years of on road and off road rock crawling.
But, you have a decision to make; off road performance vs. on road performance. A limited slip rear axle is your best bet for ice and snow performance. I'm on my fifth Cherokee and spend time in upstate NY winter weather, the best Cherokee setup to handle those conditions is the limited slip rear end and open front.

Big David

I know a guy who had a ARB with 33s on his 29 spline 8.25 & he beats on it like it owes him $. He has since went to 35s & I've not heard any complaints.

On the 27 spline..
I know another guy who has 33s & locked 8.25. He said he tried to break it by beating on it but it never did.

Very solid axle.

srb53150

you'll be fine, leave it locked. you gonna love the gears too.

Buc_Nasty_XJ

Isn't the lunchbox/spartan locker basically a limited slip setup in principal? The dana 30 I'm buying is open, so isn't that what you're saying is best for winter weather? Or do you have a locker front and rear?

00t444e

I have a spartan in the rear and it behaves the same way in the snow that the factory limited slip did, but it does much better off road. I also have one in the front. I plan on regearing to 4.56 and going with either 33s or 35s in the future and I will be keeping the spartan lockers. I really want 35s but I am not sure how the stock shafts in the dana 30 will hold up, and I don't want to spend the money for chromoly shafts. I am not worried about the rear the 8.25 can take a beating.

Big David

The only problem I have with front shafts is the 3/4 clips letting go. I'm installing 760 joints with full circle clips in a spare set. I've come to conclusion that I'll just get jy shafts & tack weld the caps in & wheel it.

Buc_Nasty_XJ

Thanks for all the great info guys. I really appreciate it. I guess I'll leave the locker for the time being and if I start busting shafts I can look at taking it out or going to chromolys. Lol.

Rockhead

Nope. A lunchbox locker locks together your left and right wheels on the axle it's installed in when torque is applied. A limited slip unit will allow some amount of differentiation to occur.
Yes. I believe that an open front differential is best for winter driving on ice and snow.
I do have lunchbox lockers front and rear, not the BEST setup for winter weather but great for off roading. See below, that is my Cherokee's present setup.
Your last post says your going to leave the locker in, that's great. You shouldn't have any issues with breakage on 35s. At some point if you decide to install a locker in the front dana 30 you should upgrade the axles to chromoly shafts since your on 35s.
Have you been to the Cove Campground for one of there off roading events? Great place. How about Potts Mountain Jeep Trail, a challenging and fun run.

Buc_Nasty_XJ

I haven't heard about or been to either of those places Rockman, but they sound pretty awesome. I mainly plan on sticking to old National Forest trails I used to hit back in high school for the time being. There are plenty of those around the Shenandoah Valley where I'm located. I picked up the new axles yesterday and I'm pretty stoked to get them put on. I just need to have new mounts welded on the front, as the welds cracked when the previous owner totalled his rig. Can anyone suggest a brand of mount to purchase?

cleenrob

well my 29 spling c8.25 is holding up well to being locked( full case detroit) 33"s and a 5.3l swap. and im not light on the pedal either( lot of burnouts)

not much to tell you off road tho since i havent had it on a trail since to motor swap

Rockhead

This is the set on mine. You can see them in the pic above.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_200.htm

unidentifiedbomb

TNT Fab makes great mounts. I had to remove rotted brackets on my 30 and welded theirs up, thicker metal than stock with adjustable cups and shock studs (no more bar pins).
https://www.tntcustoms.com/jeep_part...mj_tnt_customs
https://www.tntcustoms.com/jeep_part...ts_tnt_customs

denverd1

ruffstuff link mounts.

should be fine locked on 35s. I'm locked on 33s and beat the **** out it. going to 35s soon and don't plan on changing my wheeling style.

there some confusion ^ on LSD vs lunchbox lockers... lockers LOCK and LSD limit slip, for a while anyway. you typically do NOT install lunchbox lockers in either end of a jeep that sees winter driving regularly

00t444e

I have front and rear Spartan lunchbox lockers and it does fine in the winter. I plan on going with 33s or 35s soon so I hope the front dana 30 holds together.