Go for it man! I have an Aussie in my 8.25 and its great! It doesn't bother me at all, and the real kicker is my Fiancee daily drives it when I'm at work and she said she wouldn't noticed if it wasn't for the clicking in tight turns at low speed.

 

How loud is the clicking?

 

I've got the same clicking/clunking noise and its noticable, I've got a Detroit locker in back but I got used to it haha, sometimes when I take off I'll get a really loud pop but that could also be a whole different issue

 

Nothing that's too loud. You'll get weird looks in the Safeway parking lot but I don't regret it at all. I was worried about it being too loud too but really who cares about some thing like that when you benefit is undeniable. Like I said its not bad enough that my Woman doesn't mind at all

 

How about the axle itself? Will the u-bolts from my d35 fit the new 8.25? And all the brakes and everything are compatible?

 

No the u bolts won't work. The 8.25 has bigger tubes, so you'll need new u bolts.

 

You'll live with the clicking. It's loud randomly. Typically mine only makes noise when I'm going through a parking lot around 20 people so that they all can look at me like my jeep is going to throw throw a wheel at them.

 

DD'd for 3 years or so on a rear Aussie. Unless you are way too heavy on the throttle, you'll never know it's there.

 

What's the best bolt in front axle upgrade for an xj? Or will a locked front d30 perform okay?

 

I don't know of any bolt in for a Cherokee. A Locked 30 is fine unless you have big *** tires like 37s and rally the **** out of it.

 

Perfect! Cuz I just picked up a brand new Aussie locker for the d30 for $150 and I'm super pumped about it haha

 

u need to get that locked 8.25 and ill buy the locker and send u my stock spider gears and some cash...ill even throw in some new Ubolts

 

Well I'm planning on getting both the front and rear locked eventually...lol

 

Also Aussies front and rear(8.25)- best thing added to my XJ!