I need some serious knowledgeable advise. I'm looking to regear but I need to know how well my current axles will hold up. I've got the C8.25 and a LP D30. The max tire size i'll be running is 35's. will the c8.25 hold up good I should I try to upgrade to a 44 or a 8.8 first. and also I need to honestly know why a LP D30 isn't as good as a HP D30. I need real advise and not just speculation. I would prefer to not get new axles but I need to know before I re-gear. Thanks

 

How much lift??????? What is planned useage? basically if this is to be a hard core wheeler or lifted more than 4" I would go to a HP front axel at the very least. the 8.25/D30 combo plenty strong enough for a DD/weekend warrior. LP will have clearance and binding issues at lifts over 4-5"

 

Good answer. The 8.25 will hold up to 35s. Some say that the D30 will not, and in my case, I won't run 35s until I have beefed up the 30. But again, it's all in how you plan to use the XJ. If you love the rocks like I do - D30 will need some TLC, especially if you lock it.

 

Sometime people worry too much about weakness of axles. I have found that axle strength has more of a correlation to right foot usage than it does to axle design. Heck D30/D35 combo I had in my old ZJ stood up just fine to 35" tires. After about 240k miles and several Rubicon runs, only repairs I needed to axels, was bearings and normal oil changes. Took and idiot in a Ford Escort trying to drive UNDER my jeep to finally break the axel and total the Jeep.

 

The C/8.25 is strong enough to run 35s, if you want to upgrade it you can buy 1541H alloy shafts to replace the 1040 carbon steel shafts, which is an increase in strength of 35-50 percent.
The HP D/30 would be an easy upgrade for you especially when you are already going to be changing gear ratios. A HP D/30 with alloy shafts will handle 35s in all but the most extreme wheeling situations.