Get one off another cherokee and it'll bolt right on. No mods

 

The 8.25 was used in the xj that didn't have abs on it.The 29 spline was 97 to 01 years.Its a bolt in swap you just gonna change out the u bolts that hold the springs on and the spring plates.And i believe the driveshaft but that's it.

 

What would be different about the drive shaft? And does anyone know if there's a write up on the swap?

 

The d35 driveshaft is about an inch longer. It may work if you have enough lift tho. BTW, think it all through and be prepared to get nickle and dimed for things like possibly new u-bolts, brake pads, seals, brake lines, rtv, and gear oil. You may want to grab the e-brake cables from the donor as well. You'll have to bleed the brakes too.

 

couple questions and a couple thoughts.

1) do you find that you NEED a locker when out wheeling? that being open you cant make it down the trail and back? or do you just want one because you hear about them all the time and think you need one?

i lucked out and had a 8.25 in my cherokee ( 98 open ).... i kept it stock ( the dif, im lifted and on 32" tire) and went on many jeep wheeling events the first year i had it and it was very very capable off road. I found that picking a better line got me thru 75% of the time.

A fellow wheeler once told me that Lockers get you into trouble and winches get you out.... ( Do you have a winch already?) A locker can give you a false since of ability and you can get yourself into some very interesting situations, if you dont have a winch, you may be walking out of the trails or trashing your body to get free.

after my first year of wheeling my XJ I bought a good winch ( 75% was'nt good enough anymore), that got me over, out of, around, and through every trail i have been on since. plus my jeep still has factory manners on road, doesnt wear tires faster driving around the city, never pops, never randomly locks or unlocks while im driving around the city, doesnt push the front tires while trying to make tight turns on the trails. ( all side effects of a lunchbox locker )

im not knocking lockers, I now have one....... I bought the OX locker w the electric actuator ( its freaking amazing!! ) now i get way way farther down the trail without ever getting out of the jeep and its great BUT when you do get stuck, YOU ARE STUCK! a winch is a must with lockers in my opinion.

but to reinforce what another poster on here said, and to take into consideration what you said in the very begining,

1) you said you were on a tight budget for upgrades
( i wouldnt spend those funds on a locker because having a locker especially in a D35 is going to get very costly for you really quick. you are going to do things that will lead to costly damage and start breaking much more expensive things sooner than you prob need to)
2) if you are doing the type of wheeling where you actually need a locker, you prob should have a C 8.25 in your jeep. ( dont yell at me people i know the D35 CAN work, but i think we can all agree that there are tons of them in the JY for cheep and it is a no braner upgrade if you are wheeling often espically if you are planning to drive your jeep home after a day of trail riding)
3) if you dont already have a winch, BUY A WINCH!!!! it will save your *** and get you farther down the trail. Plus your friends will thank you.
4) Dont spend a single dollar on a D35, if any part of it needs to be replaced, ditch it for a C8.25, 8.8, or D44

none of this is meant to sound preachy, to each there own. just passing on some opinions.

and on one other note, i know a lot of guys swear by ARB lockers, i have to say that i am extremly happy with my OX locker i think it was worth every penny AND and happy to argue that its a better solution for a lot of people then ARB. just my 10 cents.

 

I don't go off-road too much, I mainly want to have two wheels spin when I show off or want to do some good donuts. I live in Florida, there isn't too many crazy hills or rocks to get stuck on or in.

 

It comes off an XJ. '96 - '01 non ABS came with the recommended C8.25 29 spline.

 

FIFY. it's a crap shot going with a 96 8.25. only way to find out is to pull the shafts and count

 

You wont need spring plates. Your D35 plates will work just fine i did the swap as well.