2k to spend, enough to go 33's?

[davidt]

guess it kind of depends on the trails you are going on, for so cal trails are we talking johnson valley or just messing around on the beach. Brett seems to find good deals, he keeps his eyes open, you would be surprised at how much brett has into his set up, I know he did it for surprisingly cheap.

 

[formatt]

someone mentioned the 29 spline 8.25 above... that's a really good idea. If you can get it straight from someone's rig (instead of sitting in a junkyard for who know's how long) and it's in good shape, you'll be able to save quite a bit right there. I've seen them go complete for as low as a hundred bucks. also, your 8.25 isn't going to be that old so your seals and such are probably going to be in a lot better shape than an axle that's 15+ years old. that 29 spline 8.25 isn't a bad axle. I've got a buddy that wheeled the heck out of his 27 spline 8.25 on 33's. IIRC, he never broke anything with a lockright and swampers.

$40 for steel.. that seems pretty low. I'd probably double that to be safe.

i gotta agree with XJ_ranger on this one.. there's always a bunch of incidentals that you don't think of that can add up really fast. $10 here, $20 there... $2K for everything might be pretty tight.

 

[Ludakris]

someone mentioned the 29 spline 8.25 above... that's a really good idea. If you can get it straight from someone's rig (instead of sitting in a junkyard for who know's how long) and it's in good shape, you'll be able to save quite a bit right there. I've seen them go complete for as low as a hundred bucks. also, your 8.25 isn't going to be that old so your seals and such are probably going to be in a lot better shape than an axle that's 15+ years old. that 29 spline 8.25 isn't a bad axle. I've got a buddy that wheeled the heck out of his 27 spline 8.25 on 33's. IIRC, he never broke anything with a lockright and swampers.

I got mine out of a 99 w/60K on it for $60... basically a bolt in and with my 34's it should hold up... very well.. and it is a GREAT way to save some serious cash.. The best advice is to patrol the For Sale forum... I have alot of other members junk on my ride...

 

[85xjwoody]

I have 31's and they are on a dana 35 in back. I drive my truck very, very hard in the mud and trails and my axle holds up very well. Yes, I have replaced my d35 but that is because the previous owner did not take care of the truck properly. Everything in the diff was loose and when I got on the gas hard the spider gears blew and there I sat. So if you plan on wheeling hard with 31's stay with the d35. If you decide to go with 33's I would go with the 8.25 or the d44. I just picked up a good set of BFG all terrain K.O's for 120.00 and there is over 70% left on them. I got them at a used tire place. I would go with the 3 inch lift and the 31's. Spend the other money left over on recovery gear and skid plates. You can always put in spacers in front and shackles in the rear for an extra 2 inches on a later date and then go with the 33's. That is my plan for my 85 wagoneer.

 

[willyb]

I deffinitly agree with going with the 8.25 if you can... It should easily hold up to 33's - especially if it is the 29 spline version... I picked up a complete, low mile one for $75... not to shabby if you ask me...

Will.