xj_maniac_newb

lol i was trying to kid around Like i said, im not bashing the D35, but people hate on it for a reason. freegdr is on 38s with stock axles and seems to be doing fine, its all on how you drive. But like i said, i like to feel safe from breakage..

TrollHammer

Not saying you are wrong at all, but there are two kinds of strength in axles: torque and rigidity, and I guess a third if you count leverage on the ring gear. Axle tubes will keep it straighter the larger they are, while shafts will carry more torque the larger they are. As I understand it, some say the smaller tubes of the D35 allow it to flex more and bind the axle shafts, making them prone to failure more easily. Of course, it depends on the circumstance: i have to wonder if thos getting flex in a d35 have already damaged it or are balancing their rig on their diff or something. Personally havent had any breakage, just wear. smaller ring gears can get more force on their teeth in the same situation than a larger ring gear, and if you let your vehicle hop its more likely to pop the teeth off, from what Ive observed.

Still, of all the options, the d35 has the smallest shafts, tubes, AND ring gear of all the axles under XJs, therefore the most breakage and the worst rap. I just wish there was as much support for the 8.25 as the d35 or there would be no reason to keep one around.

busted-knuckles

Thx guys for all the imput. Ill keep it all in mind. And as for down the road i have an ear to the ground for a 8.25, but ill probly be pulling and 8.8 at the jy this summer when my jeep can have alittle down time. But for the time being ill probly wait to weld up my 35 tell i can find an extra axle shaft to thro in the back of the jeep to take up to the trails with me. Im pretty confident in my welding abilitys. And i know that it all comes down to the axle strength. If i break an axle ill just have to take the timw to swap in the extra. And then ill know for sure then strength of the 35 and will have an great excuse to bring home a 8.8 or 8.25. But i dont plan on putting any money into my 35, just weld up the gears and rock it tell it breaks and upgrade.

But thx everyone for their input! I think ive made my decission to weld
It up, but not tell i get an extra shaft.

1988cherokee

welded my dana 35 up tonight. works pretty good the chirping and tires hopping around corners is gonna take some time to get use to. Time will tell of how it holds up

BlakeDGKleavitt

Lucky! I want to do it so bad but my friend is lagging!

1988cherokee

Thats the perks of being able to work in the shop that I work at after hours. Also it was raining last night and this morning ,so far so good no real difference in how it drives in the rain or any sliding

busted-knuckles

1988cherokee, what size tires are u running? I just want a camparison for mine. Thx.

busted-knuckles

I know this may be slightly off topic, but can any explain why the dana 35 in my 1992 xj has much larger axle tube dia. Then my buddies comanche and his 87 (i think) cherokee's dana 35? The tube on mine is the same dia. All the way from centure to outer backing plate, while his almost seem to get smaller the farther out from the centure. But slightly larger at outer end the the centure on the tube, (not centure of axle) if this makes any sense.....

I was just wondering why they are diffrent. Any info would be cool. Thx

XJ BoSS

How much should a local Shop charge to weld the spiders?

TrollHammer

The corperate 8.25 and dana 35 look a lot alike. I have a 91 and a 93, and bith have 8.25s, and I have a d35 in a 89, and the most recognizable distiguishable difference i have found is the corperate axles have a squarish feature on the bottom of the casting. Both have oval covers, though I dont k.ow if the bolt cound is different or if the size is different, havent paid enough attention. If I remember right, there was a small chrysler cheveron cast in the corperates.

I would.suspect you have an 8.25, the tubes are larger.

busted-knuckles

Trollhammer, i found this picture awhile back online,



And my axle centure looks more like the dana 35 then the 8.25.... But my jeeps axle does have deffinitly visable larger axle tubes. I would be extaticaly happy if i have the 8.25. Is there a way to tell for sure? If i pull the cover maybe..?

My jeep is a 1992 cherokee laredo, with the auto trans, and the HP 4.0, and the np231 tc. If any other info would help to figure out if it may have the 8.25. I would appreciate any help i can get or info to solve this question. I can post a pic of the axle housing if someone thinks they could
Tell by pic.
Thx

1988cherokee

Im running 31s right now but I plan on going up to 32 or 33

busted-knuckles

Ok thx, when u welded them up, what method did u use? Did u weld the gears to the carrier and each other? Or just the each other?

busted-knuckles

Ok trollhammer, i looked closly at my axle and i think i do have the 8.25 it has the chrysler emblem, and it has (a rough measurment) of 3 inch dia. Tubes. And i looked up some pics if both types of axles and it looks exaclty like almost every picture i found of the 8.25. The dana 35's look like they have a much rounder cover. While mine is rather olvel, with an almost flat bottom and top. Is there a way to compare the numbers on it to see if it is the 29 splin or the 27.

And now that i know i have a 8.25 whats ur opion on welding up the dif in that? I hear they are much much much stronger then the dana 35, even the 27 splin. So would u say im safer off with welding
It up now?

1988cherokee

I welded the spiders together in each corner really good then I welded the spiders to the carrier If you do it just take your time and let it cool down. I had an extra housing laying around so I just put my carrier in that housing and slid the other axles I had laying around into the side gears so the spiders stayed centered If need be when I get some time I can write up a how to with pictures I have extra carriers laying around I can weld up to show you