D35 axle shafts

[DDCxj]

hi

I am looking at two options right now for my rear Dana 35 on my '91 XJ. One option is to switch out the axle shafts to an aftermarket item. The other is to take a trip to the local bone yard and get either an 8.25" out of a newer XJ or a Dana 44 from an '87. I am paying for school so I my budget is fairly limited.

As for the axle shafts, what companies would you guys recommend? I am running a stock drivetrain right now with 31" tires. This is my daily driver and it will not be locked up because of that and the fact that it snows for 5 months out of the year here. Also, I am not sure if this makes a difference besides when I order the new shafts but as of now I am not sure of the spline count, does it say it somewhere on the axle ID tag?

As for the 8.25" vs. 44, I am wandering what I would have better luck with. Obviously I can get a much newer 8.25" then a 44, but are the strengths of these axles pretty much the same or is there a big difference?

One last thing, I read on another thread about ring and pinion gears offered with the automatic tranny and did not see 3.73:1 in there. My ID tag is pretty hard to read but I am pretty sure I saw 3.73, is this possible or was it not offered and I have to take a closer look?

thanks

 

[ChuckD]

There are some Xj's out there with 3.73. I know of two, have you looked at the prices of Superiors Super35 axle shafts? They are about the same price of a D44 or maybe an 8.25.

If you found a D44 or 8.25 you would have to regear to match the front.

Both the D44 and 8.25 are good axles. I would have to tip my hat to the D44, for just the fact of the availible gear ratios and lockers.

 

[Ghost]

You did not say which engine.....

The early 4 popper xj's had 3.73's or 4.10's. If you have the AW-4 and 4.0L combo I'd bet a dime to a dollar you have 3.55's unless someone changed them. Check the tag again.

 

[ChuckD]

Re: You did not say which engine.....

The early 4 popper xj's had 3.73's or 4.10's. If you have the AW-4 and 4.0L combo I'd bet a dime to a dollar you have 3.55's unless someone changed them. Check the tag again.

Both XJ's I spoke of have the AW4 and 4.0's. One even has a D44. I agree it is not common at all, but they are out there.

 

[bluexj89]

I have seen a 99 xj with the towing package that had 3.73 with the AW-4 and 231 case. But what kind of wheeling do you do? You might be able to keep the 35. 31's and a 35 can get along and save you money for school.

 

[DDCxj]

sorry guys,
its a '91 w/ a 4.0, AW4 and np231. I will check the tag again though.

thanks

 

[DDCxj]

I do trail rides 2-4 times a month, a little of everything minus the rocks. One of the reasons I am asking is because I have to replace the axle bearing which are completely shot. When I get the shafts, if I see something wrong or have the cash, I will go to stronger aftermarket shafts. thanks for the input.

 

[XJoachim]

You can get some aftermarket shafts i.e. from Randy's which are 4130 alloy for a reasonable price. I run 30 spline with detroits with 38.5 SX's and don't have a problem with the rear axle.

 

[MrShoeBoy]

You can get some aftermarket shafts i.e. from Randy's which are 4130 alloy for a reasonable price. I run 30 spline with detroits with 38.5 SX's and don't have a problem with the rear axle.

Are you running the rear D35 or the d44? I find it hard to believe you that you are not having problems with the rear if its a D35 Now if you have the D44 I could believe it so long as you have a soft right foot.

AARON

 

[XJoachim]

No, i have a D35 rear with the yukon 30 spline alloy axles and a 30 spline detroit and the rear is holding up fine. Never had a problem with it. Remember that i don't have a c-clip axle in my old '89 XJ. The front is D30 is a different story, thst's why i'm switching axles to D60/D70 35 spline all around