Help me pick my next rear axle: an already "built" Super 35 vs 8.25
 

My 99 has had an interesting life. It started with a factory 29 spline, open 8.25 with 3.07 gears. It then got a 29 spline 8.25 with factory 3.55 gears and an Aussie locker. THEN it got a 27 spline 8.25 with Yukon 4.11 gears and a Spartan locker. About a year later, I sold it to a good friend which was followed by a year and a half of him driving it before he sold it back to me in October. As it sits now, it's the same 27 spline axle but with an open carrier.

That axle has a million miles and I want it out of there eventually. My initial plan was to hunt for a XJ Dana 44 or just rebuild a lower mileage 29 spline 8.25 with new 4.10s/11s and a LSD or selectable locker.

Now the same buddy who had the XJ is axle swapping his TJ and offered me his "Super" Dana 35. It has 30 spline chromo axles, a Yukon Zip locker, 4.10s (so it would match my 4.11 front Dana 30) and much lower mileage pinion bearings.

The rig is on 33s and will stay that way for a while. It's a weekend warrior/long-distance trail rig. I guess you could call it an overlander but it hits trees and gets stuck, so maybe not.

The light weight and high clearance of the Dana 35 PLUS the aftermarket goodies is starting to tempt me enough to consider getting it and slapping some leaf spring perches on it. But, it's a Dana 35 - I would need to explain myself a lot on the trail. My other option is to either rebuild my current 8.25 with 29 spline axle shafts, or start from scratch with another 8.25 (or Dana 44 if I can find one), get it regeared and locked, etc.

What would you do?

Not put a d35 under a jeep. Ever.

your so called friend is trying to sell you a polished pile of ****.

Keep the 8.25 it is a much better axle, the Dana 35 out of the TJ won't be a direct swap anyways since they have coils in the rear.

This

Take the time to try and find a dana 44 and build one axle that should last the rest of the life of the jeep. Or (dare I say) look into maybe a ford 8.8 out of a Ranger / Explorer. They are plentiful and relatively cheap.

Some Ranger models even came with 31 spline axles, a Torsen LSD and 4.10 gears. (That's what is in my Ranger)

Sounds to me you should of never sold/swapped it when it was 3.55, 29 spline with an aussie locker. That was your best setup.

For 31s and an ax15, I totally agree. I got the most use out of the rig with that setup and would recommend it again.

But then I experienced just how much more capable it was with 33s, 4.11s, and twin locked. I don't really want to go back nor go forward to 35s.

Thinking I'll just keep looking for 44 or 8.25

I mean you should of built off the 29 spline. I would never downgrade for a gear change. You'll end up paying more to do it right in the end.

Well damn! I can't travel back in time. If I could, I'd go back to 2005 when I still had my green 98 Classic haha

LOL Hindsight!

If it were me, I'd upgrade the carrier and swap in 29 spline shafts to the axle you have now. Cheapest and easiest solution and you don't have to go looking for another axle to swap.

That's definitely an option and an idea I've had since before I sold and bought the truck back. I wouldn't mind a True Trac rear with a selectable front.

if starting over i would recommend going with an 8.8 not only bigger but you get disk brakes. the 31 spline shafts are common and if you ever decide to go with larger tires your covered.