88 Cherokee XJ with approx. 5" lift with 33" tires, daily driven and weekend wheeling. It will be wheeled in snow and trails I'm not much for rocks. 33's are as big as I'm gonna go and will be left as an open diff. unless I fall into a selectable locker later. The reason for upgrade right now is to swap out gears as new axles are cheaper than re gearing what I already have plus upgrading over the 35 at the same time. I can currently get a descent deal on a 27spline but am not sure if it's worth getting the 27now or keep looking for a 29 spline and hope one eventually comes around cheap. I've already got the front axle and am just waiting on the rear to get this thing geared right but don't want to buy in haste either.

 

just look for a 97+ cherokee, if it has the 8.25 it'll be the 29 spline. should be the same price and i would rather get it right the first time.

 

unfortunately I've been looking for about a month and have only found two in driving distance and the price difference is about $300 between the two.

 

You won't break the 27 spline on 33's.

 

awesome thanks