XJRedneck94

I have a 99 XJ with a 5.5 inch lift and 1 inch coil spacers. its sitting about 6 inces all around. I have trimmed fenders and bushwacker cut out flares. I am currently running 33/12.5 mud terrain tires on a 15x8 rim. I am looking to upgrade to 35s. I feel as height wise i definitly have the clearance. however i jave a stock front hp d30 and stock rear d35 both with stock 373 gears. I am looking to replace my rear and completely regear. If i do this do you think i can upgrade to 35's? will they rub steering components? if so what size spacers should i consider and i need as much advice as possible regarding both axles and what i should do with them and look for. amnd what gears. is the hp d30 fine? Ahhhh i need help. please and thank you

XJRedneck94

and if needed, how can i add cheaply another inch or so of lift for even more clearance? I already have an add a leaf and shackle flip. And i am trying to stay away from blocks. Thanks guys. i really appreciate any help

ohio95xj

If you have a 99 your rear axle is a 29 spline chrysler 8.25, which is almost dana 44 strength. They are plenty strong enough for 35s

XJRedneck94

i know it was quick lol, but i am talking to a guy about a ford 9 inch and he also has a d44. I only wanna swap rears. Is this a good idea? how are those axles and how much fabrication will be needed to make them fit my xj

XJRedneck94

Nope my rear is a d35... its a split year and i got the turdy 5

ohio95xj

Oh, my bad, that sucks man. Do you know what the 44 came out of?

XJRedneck94

The other issue is that i have no idea of splines and if i am gonna keep the hp30 up front i wanna update to chromoly shafts of some nature or something for added strenth. i will do the same to whichever rear i gt too. Is the hp 30 strong enough to even handle 35s? i am sorry but i am very new to the axle and gear end of this lol

XJRedneck94

If somebody could give me like an a to z list of what I should look for and get. Including gears the rear and shafts and everything that would be godly

helmut

Don't do that. Its not needed. You will not rubb on the street. If you end up rubbing slightly offroad just extend your bumpstops. People run 35s on smaller lifts. IMO 4.5in - 6in is perfect for 35s.

ohio95xj

I am in the same boat, i run 33s locked on dana 30, no problems yet. But i want to go to 35s As for the dana 30, your options are either chromoly shafts, or just the higher grade steel shafts. Im pretty sure you already have the bigger u joints

96rokee

for an axle swap youll need leaf perches and shock mounts, and a welder.
and someway of removing old mounts. ( unless u find a dana 44 from an older xj with a towing package. )
and then if you want new chromoly shafts ull need those
and then gears to match the front, for 35s id recomend 4.56 or 4.88 depends if u want torque or gas mileage.
and a locker..

dunno the bolt pattern on the ford 9 in or the dana 44. but ull wanna get adapters to 5 on 4.5 for your wheels if there not already.

i may be missing something but thats all i can think of.

OleBlue

I have 35x13.5s on my d30. my wheels are 15x10 with 3.75 backspacing. I dont rub at all turning at full lock either way.

I will say the d30 is strong enough with the right upgrades. I put my 35s on in feb and have broken 4 front axle ujoints, 2 on each side, resulting in 4 broken inner shafts and 4 broken outer shafts(the ujoint goes and takes out the ears on the shafts).

On my last trip out my driver side ball joints let loose and i was on the trail for 4-5 hours waiting for new parts/fixing it.

So all that being said, i plan to truss my d30(peace of mind not necessarily needed) Put in high quality ball joints, cut off my wussy lower control arm mounts and replace with heavy duty ones, and buy a set of chromoly inners, outers and spicer 760 u joints.

I have 4.56 gears with my 35s and it works well for me.

With the 35s you will want to upgrade your steering as well, the stock tierod on an xj is a joke and will buckle easily. I have a 8.25 29 spline locked and have no issues at all with that axle and 35s. Its direct bolt in and plenty strong enough.

ohio95xj

I have a question, the u joints youve broken, have they been 760s or the 690s(i think thats right)

OleBlue

no they are the stock 260s that come with 94 and below non abs cherokees. 95 and above or any cherokee with abs has 297x u joints. The strongest u joints are aftermarket 760

XJjustin

I run 35's with about 5.5" of lift total, never had any problems, I also have a hp D30 and 8.25 their both open, ive tore through some rough terrain and never broke an axle. you'll be fine, I just wouldnt trust the D35