spdyracer

I know I'll probably get a lot of (get a 8.25 or dana 44) replies but I was wanting to get opinions on this kit. I have a 98 with a d35 rear and was looking for options to upgrade it. First i was thinking about going to a d44 but i keep hearing there hard to find. Then I thought about a 8.25 but the thought of still having a c-clip rearend I'm still not crazy about. After looking around I found this kit and it got me thinking, I could keep my rearend i already have and upgrade it to a non c-clip 30 spline shaft with a arb locker for $1,600. Wandering if anyone has used this kit to upgrade the d35? I have a 4.5" rubicon express lift with 33" tires and have no plans at all to go any bigger with the lift or the tires. Most of the driving is road driving and probably going off road 8-10 times a year. I'm thinking if the kit would hold up to what i have then i might go with it and save me the trouble of hunting down a d44 or 8.25. Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

Jeepjunky

its not worth it. $1600 on a D35 upgrade is ridiculous when u can still bend the tubes pretty easily and break shafts, save ur money, go on car-part.com and look for one on there, or look at different forums like here, NAXJA, pirate, or comanche club (where i got mine)

jmm0122

Scrap the 35. Why put a ton of money into a weak axle that has the very good potential of breaking especially with a locker in it. There is no good upgrade kit bc you can't polish a turd hence why the call it the turdy five.
8.25s are dime a dozen so the hunt for one will be short lived

liftedjeepxj

-8.25 from the junkyard 100-200
-Locker 300-600 depending on brand
-Disc brake conversion from grand Cherokee 100-200 (new or junkyard parts)

You could do quite a bit more for less with an 8.25

E-Rok

I wouldnt put a dollar into a piece of crap D35

get an 8.8 or an 8.25

Gorillaxj

X535746843452 Drop the D35.

tavish_g

If you have $1600 to sink into your axle, just buy a crate axle, with a locker, the right gears, all the upgrades for about the same amount.

spdyracer

thanks for all the replies. i figured this is what i would get but i thought i would ask and see. i would really like a d44 so i guess i should start looking and see what i can come up with.

dogger15

Just go with the 8.8 it's stronger than the 44 plus can find them with limited slip in them already

E-Rok

yep

unfortunately some people would rather overpay for a D44 just to be able to say that they have one

freegdr

i looked for a 44 for 2years aint gonna happen, upgrade to the 8.25 then install diusc brake poor mans c clip eliminator kit keep the 35 as a spare incase you break a axle on the 8.25 only heard of one so far breaking

spdyracer

as far as going with a 8.8 the reason i was looking into keeping the 35 or going with a 44 or 8.25 is because they would be a drop in axle. i would need to find someone who could weld on new spring perches and setup the 8.8.

jscusmcvet

I am watching this with interest. When looking for an 8.25, do you need to specify a 29 spline? Am I mistaken that the 27 spline 8.25 is of similar strength to the Dana 35?

Thanks,

John

E-Rok

sucks to not know how to weld huh?

spdyracer

yes it does. something i have always wanted to learn to do but just havn't had the chance to learn yet. if i could weld i would hunt one down put it under the cherokee. since i can't i have to consider the extra cost getting someone else to do the work.