Jhuff70

So Im about 99% sure I've got the 8.25 rear axle, but then again Im a noob so I thought I'd post pics and see what you guys thought. Pretty new to the whole cherokee scene and was wondering if anyone could give me the quick and dirty explanation on what the differences in the axles are and what it means.


What do you think the biggest tires I could safely run with this axle? I'm not looking to trim anything right now, its winter and cold, plus I like my flares Ive got and want to keep them awhile.

XJGunny

That's a Chrysler 8.25. Most likely has 3:55 gears. You can run up to a 33" tire before re-gear but that's kinda pushing it for a DD.

ohio95xj

What size lift do you have? And if you don't want to trim ANYTHING, the biggest tire you can fit us a 31.

Jhuff70

I've got a 4.5" Rough Country lift. I wouldn't mind trimming inside the wheel well, I just don't really want to cut into the fenders yet.
Isn't rear gearing pretty expensive? Wouldn't buying a new axle be cheaper?

Lyanheart

You should be able to fit 31" tires easy with your lift. Maybe 32 or 33 but that might take some trimming or at least getting rid of the flares. I have 31's with cut fenders, TJ flares, no lift. And getting new gears would be cheaper than a new axle unless you get lucky and find another axle for cheap, ready to bolt in that already has lower gears. But that is unlikely. Gear sets are not terribly expensive, but if you have to pay a shop to change them for you it makes the price go up. Rusty's, for example, sells front & rear gear sets with install kits for $445, which is about what you'd pay from any vendor for decent gears. You also would need a new carrier for the D30 front axle at the same time to go lower than 3.55 and they run about 80 bucks from what I've seen.

That being said, you really don't need lower gears for 31" tires. I'm not changing mine until I set up to 33's.

superbee1970440

If you can find a replacement axle set, already built, they will most likely be cheaper. For just a regear alone, one of the vendors here quoted me $550 for all the parts to do my jeep. I highly doubt you'll find axles anywhere near that cheap unless they're stock with stock gearing.

kgm

You should just give me the 8.25 3.55 axle that is on there, Ill give you my hot to trot dana 35

McCaffrey

IMO you're not going to re-gear just to run 33s on the street, but for at least moderate offroad abuse. So you're going to add at least one locker and axles at the same time as re-gearing. $3000+ if a shop does it for you.

kgm

That is so much money. Just run 31" tires and blast it. Spend your money elsewhere.

xjmarc

That's the weaker 27 spline 8.25 and 33s would be pushing it. The shafts are actually smaller than the 27 spline turd D35 but the housing is a little stronger otherwise I'd say be careful with 31s.