I'm taking everyones advice and swapping my D35 for an 8.25 (yeah, it's a 29 spline). Based on forum advice I added a Powertrax No-slip. My question is, will the spring plates from the D35 work with the 8.25. my replacement axle came from the JY with no plates. Local Jeep guru says the plates should be slotted and work on either axle. I do see slots on originals. I thought there were different plates and I wanted to consult the panel of experts before I got everything tore apart.
Also my cherokee came with ABS although near as I can tell it doesn't work and I don't want it to. (Don't worry the brakes work, just not the ABS) Will this become a problem when I swap axles?



98 2-door 3"RC coils, 3" skyjacker softride full spring packs 31x10.50 DC Fun Countries

 

I believe he is correct. They should be oval or slotted to fit both axles. As far as the ABS i think most just pull the light from the abs light and forget about it.

 

The spring plates should be slotted, I just did this swap about a month ago myself! As for the ABS I just did a full delete on that as well. Look in the XJ Write up section on this forum and you will see the write up I made, it's very easy! Overall it's a simple swap, being your lifted 3" your Dana 35 driveshaft will work as well!

 

Yup. I kept my original spring plates when I swapped from my 8.25s to Dana 44's (Dana 44 axles are of the same axle tube diameter as Dana 35). So other way around would work.