TylerNoel

could someone tell me what it is about a dana 35 that makes it so crappy. what makes a rear end or front end stronger? ex: what about a dana 60 makes it stronger then a dana 35?

i know i know i must be stupid but i never really understood

im thinking about buying stronger rear and front, either dana 44 or 60....ill probably go with the 44 since i dont do to much wheelin

Boost_Retard

dana 60 will have a stronger everything over a dana 35, larger axles, thicker tubes, bigger ring and pinion, stronger center section..the dana 35 is the lightest duty axle that jeep installed in the XJ,

that being said, i still run a dana 35 in mine..i was ready to rip mine out and install a XJ44, but ended up getting a screamin deal on some 35 parts..and being a noob at the time..i bought them,then sunk a bunch more cash into my 35 despite what everyone told me to do..and to this day i have never broken it.. it offers better ground clearence then a 8.25 or a 44, weighs less then a 8.25 or a 44 (i cant say how much less..but it is less)

i run mine on stock axles with a solid diff cover and a truetrac, on 31" tires with 4.11 gears. it has held up great and has caused me no trouble. i dunno if i would want the 35 out back if i had 33" tires, but so far so good on 31's with a Auto trans...

no matter how ya look at it though, its still the lightest duty axle

jhampton

mine has 33's and im still running the 35....till i blow it up im not changing it

nickxj94

Like they said it just has smaller axle shafts if your not planning on going over a 32 inch tire run the d35 till it breaks if it ever does then swap in a 29 spline 8.25 out of a 97 to 01 xj or the 8.8 explorer swap

sandaddik2

If you have to ask why then you don't need to swap it...

BNJeepsta

X2 don't swap till you need to. I have an 8.8 waiting to be swapped in but my 35 hasn't died on me yet

marcelo73

I've been using my D35 with 31 MT and 3.07 R&P during a year in mud and sand and have no problem (yet). All I've read is that with bigger tires (32,33) , lockers and a heavy right foot you WILL break it.

I'm thinking to upgrade to C8.25 29 splines.

Atmos

it's a good mock up axle or beater while you're saving up for an axle that's worth building.
the idea is to not put any money into it by regearing to 4.56's and put a posi in it or something because it's garb... oh wait
should be fine on 31" tires

Tom95YJ

You should ask that question on Pirate 4x4 !

or Google Dana 35 Failure you will see pics of why it is so horriable, I broke 3 of them

Bent housing, Broke carrier axleshafts ..........

Gizmo

I would not say the Dana 35 is "crappy" in general. It really depends on how you plan to use your XJ and what mods you plan to accomplish your intended use. Understand when Jeep built the XJ's, they did so according to how they anticipated most buyers would use them. Many buyers at the time I suspect probably never intended to go off road, much less climb bolders the size of VW Beetles and many of those who did plan to venture off road probably fire roads and such. For this kind of use, the Dana 35 is up to the task. For those who plan more heavy off-road use on very challenging trails, then something more substantial is in order.

Gee oh Dee

Are you sure the D35 offers better ground clearance than an 8.25?

TheJerm

If it isnt broken, dont fix it. And if you do, any c.8.25 out of any XJ is bolt in and will do fine up to 35's with light wheeling. I've beat on my locked 27 spline 8.25 on 33's and 35's with no issues

TylerNoel

I actually just broke my 2nd d35 so I bought a Chrysler 8.25,

cruiser54

Very well stated.

Chaoscase

Where do you wheel that this is an option? A blown gear set or snapped axle is a task in the garage or driveway, but absolutely sucks out on the trail. If you have the spares and tools to accomplish it fine, but if not, then you have a trail recovery where the tire and axle are seperating from the vehicle.

If this has never happened to you then believe me, it blows! If you already have the upgraded axle, then swap it in for the piece of mind and better performance. That 8.8 in the garage will do you no good when you hear that snap and the rubber stops turning.