Is it worth my time and money installing a limited slip diff carrier and new ring&pinion in a D35 axle or would that money be better spent buying an 8.25 or even a D44? BTW,I have an 01 XJ with the D30/D35 axles.

 

Don't waste money on a Dana 35, an 8.25 is an easy swap.

 

I have a 2001 2dr. XJ with the 4.0 and a 5-speed. It came with 3.07 gears and I lifted it 4.5" with a Rubicon express lift and added 31" Wildpeaks to it. Needless to say it's a bit of a dog now. I'm picking up a high pinion dana 30 and another 8.25 axle set in a couple days. They are from a 1998 auto XJ and have 3.55 gears. I don't have any plans on going bigger on tires and even if I do I won't go bigger than a 32", since I don't want to trim any sheet metal. I am wondering if it would be worth my time and money to regear it to 4.10's or not.This is pretty much a toy for me with some moderate offroading occasionally during the summer and the occasional car show when it's completed.

 

Swap the axles in first and see if you like it. I never had an issue with 31s, 3.55s and an ax15. If I needed more gear, I just downshifted. The 4.0 likes rpm.

 

I have been calculating an simulating how it feels to drive at 2.400 rpm for extended periode of time an how it feels if you hit gas at that rpm.
4.0, 90s renix, AW4

What I could not simulate is how it feels on takeoff.

Has anyone used this gearing / tire setup? How does it feel on takeoff, crawling?

 

Hi, Just to reply to my question.

UI did the obviously crazy.

Regeared to 4.88 on 31-s and Auto box.

Result:
takes of like a rocket
drives like a champ
cruises 60mph at 2.300rpm in 4-th
picks up speed immediatly at 60mph when skinny pedal is masaged.

No regrets at all. I would re gear it like this again. Although . for the manual - I would go to 4.11 on a NP 3550 box. Gives you same ratio in 1-st gear.

The bad:
driveshaft is at high RPM due to regear and vibrates at 60mph. I did the TC drop, I did the angle correction. I guess I will need to do a SYE to solve it.

 

This was extremely helpful, thank you!

 

Curious to know your thoughts, I found someone selling a Ford 8.8 front and real axle, would these be good axles to swap out to handle larger tires such as 33s or 35s? Im on 31s and was looking at going a little bigger, but the stock Dana 30s I've heard are not great for 33s and above

Cheers

 

The only 8.8 front axle Ford every made was IFS, you may want to check with the seller.