stevedenzik@aol.com

I have a 98 XJ 2wd with 4.0 and 5 speed manual transmission.

My carrier bearings are out and I was thinking it would be most cost effective to replace it with a used assembly. I currently have a chrysler 8.25 with 3.07 gear ratio, this may be hard to find, I noticed that the 2.5 with 5spd manual used the 8.85 with 3.55.
What would happen if I installed an 8.25 with 3.55 gears
Thanks-Steve

94XjSport94

You might feel a little more power with marginally less MPG's.

xjmarc

FYI the 3.55 ratio is the most common one found in autos with the 4L.

OleBlue

yup^ just pick up a 8.25 with 3.55s from any 97+ auto xj and you will be good to go. Slightly more power to boot!

The reason i say 97+ is because before that the axle shaft spline was only 27, but since you dont wheel anyways, any 8.25 from an auto or manual will work for you.

2001bluecherokee

The 3.07 are not that hard to find they were put in 2wd and 4wd manual transmission models . The 3.55 was for the auto transmission model. If you don't off road you could put in a dana 35 . This can be had with disc break . Make sure you get break booster and other parts with it .

cruiser54

Dana 35 with disc brakes is from a ZJ which doesn't bolt into an XJ as the suspension on a ZJ is coil and an XJ is leaf spring.

And even if you DO convert an XJ to rear discs, there is no necessity to replace the brake master and booster.

salad

^^^ This

It should be very easy to find an axle with 3.07s in it from manual owners who upgraded. We're buying up axles from automatic owners all the time D35 with disc brake swap indeed should be easy and sensible since you don't plan on breaking things.

xjmarc

I'd avoid the D35 and not because of the obvious reasons like strength but because the drive shaft will be to short. Will it work yes but if the rear articulates enough it can pop out of the tranny.

salad

You know you can swap driveshafts too... Strength is only an issue if he's wheeling it.

xjmarc

True but there is no price difference in a D35 and 8.25 in most yards so why spend the extra coin on another drive shaft.

salad

Well that's my point. You find a guy with a D35 that's upgrading to an 8.25, you could probably take both the axle and driveshaft away for $20 - if not for free - ready to bolt in. Hell slap some new bearings, seals, and paint on it, $50 off you go. $70 total lol

xjmarc

That requires him finding another 2wd that someone is swapping an axle in. Much easier to just find an axle.

salad

FFS I didn't even see that it was 2WD hahaha