[QUOTE="Strmtrooper70;2848507"]

I saw that There's a dana 44 sitting in the junkyard. And they sell for 120-150 why not just wait till u find that? Ionno I'm just thinking out loud. But yup open diff when unlocked.

 

Save up, get ahold of some one tons, then you can wheel worry free,

 

You've got to admit, that's pretty genius. It doesn't seem to be working very well but points for effort.

I've been wanting to bench build an axle, not because I need an axle but because I'd like to build one so that I understand better how they work. I may pick up an 8.25 or D44 and spend a few months putting it together. The only reason for wanting to build my D35 is because... I've already got it.

 

Okay, now you're just talkin' crazy.

 

Family rig that went a little over board

 

There's some great videos on YouTube about how differentials work.

Dana 35s are fine for light wheeling with smaller tires 31" or less. If you lock it you'll start running into problems. If you're getting stuck then you should slow down and pick your lines a little more carefully.

 

I'm going with a D35 and an ARB locker since ten years.

No super axles. Tire size is 235/70R16. ARB says its fine up to 31" tires. I'm happy with that.
But- I still have spare axles! And I know how to use it. The "point & gun it" -driver is not my style.

 

you can still go with my idea and get that trutrac off pirate! sounds like that and a truss is completely cheaper and you still get to take apart your carrier and the internet doesn't implode. everyone wins

 

I liked the Super 35 kit not only because of the locker but because it addressed one of the main weaknesses of the D35. I mean the Super 35 axles are 30-spline and .029" bigger than stock D44. Leaving only the axle body which could and would be trussed. I've read through your build threads (several times) and I obviously find them entertaining, but our wheeling habits are completely different. I drive trails and while some of them are steep and heavily rutted, I'm not scaling boulders or winching myself through slot canyons. I understand the 8.25/D44 argument but I'm not convinced that my built D35 wouldn't be just as strong or stronger than either of those options with a similar investment in time and money. For sure, it will be more than what I actually need for the wheeling I typically do.

 

I'm not saying do anything like I do. slap in a limited slip trutrac and truss it when you get the chance and you'll do very well. I doubt you're going to break a D35 axle shaft with an LSD anyway. I'm just throwing out different options that don't involve a $1300 axle polish kit or swapping in a different axle altogether.

either way.

 

I just started thinking about this. I posted the question specifically to get options and opinions. It does seem like I'm making a huge jump with the Super 35 when I could do something more sedate to start. You've given me stuff to think about.

 

One more thing to think about. Why not just wheel what you have for now and buy an 8.8 or 8.25 on the side, which you could get either one for less then $200 then find a smoking deal on a locker for a few hundred. An 8.8 kit is only a couple hundred. And have all of $5-600 dollars into swapping in an axle a lot stronger than a super turdy5 that you'll NEVER worry about breaking on stock tires.

 

^This.... I'm running LP30 & D35 with 33's now, don't wheel hard (yet) but over the last year, I picked up a HP30 & Cry 8.25/29 spline. Bought an ARB & Zip air locker along with 4.56 gears & install kits. Save up cash, search for good deals & when you're ready toss them under. Thinking back, OX would also be a good option, not much cheaper after figuring everything in...

OR

Since I see you live in SoCal, grab an 8.25/29 spline & throw in a Spartan...

 

Fwiw, a guy in my club is running the most polished least desireable axles in his TJ. Super D35 kit and a Super LP 30. Both have e lockers, 4.88 gears, and the front has hydro assist. Why he did this, i dont have a clue, but he beats his rig pretty hard. He is a big fan of "If at first you cant succed, hit it with some speed.". He is on 35's and has chewed up a few ring gears, lockers, and broken shafts but keeps rocking them.

I think you will be fine on small tires, but if i were you, i would keep it as cheap as possible.

Buy that tru trac and get it installed since it is a new carrier, or if you arent going over 30's, just get a lunchbox locker.

My 8.25 was free, thats why i built mine. Otherwise i would probably have a 8.8. Axle condition wont matter 98% of the time. Most people put in all new gears and bearing sets, that replaces about everything you would have a problem with in the diff so no matter what the old junk looked like, unless the housing was bent, you would be fine.

I agree, dont spend over a 1,000 on a 35.