dana 35 (firsthand experience)

[Cox89XJ]

I'm still looking for a rear 44. I've been wheelin the non-C clip 35 for over a year now and no problem. I stay off the skinny pedal. If something breaks I have to fix it.

 

[JnJ]

I wheeled the stock D35 with a lockright and 30s then 31s with no problems, though I was always worried. Wheeled Big Dogs, Tellico, Bad Lands, Colorado and Texas. Did break a front axle u-joint though... That said, if you can afford to upgrade, do it.

 

[badron]

If you play hard you pay big. But I might have a clue to the 35 reliability thing. I have check lash on good running 35s and found one to be all most 4 time the factory spec. With no chartering
. My L is all most 2 time factory spec. On all 4 of my differentials.
Even with a huge lash a 35 (or any dif or that mater) used for DD or light offing will out live the rest of the Jeep. Put on big tires and a fat foot on the skinny pedal and all bets are off.
Don't think because you have had someone regear or rebuild you difs. That they are right, many shop do just plan sloppy work on difs.

 

[Jeffro600]

Just wheel the thing and carry spares. I do alot of runs with a guy in a YJ who runs his D35 lincoln locked on 35s and have yet to see him break a shaft and he beats on it pretty hard.

 

[NXJ]

I wheeled the stock D35 with a lockright and 30s then 31s with no problems, though I was always worried.

30's, hard wheeling, never worried, ripped a (non-C-clip, LSD) D35-carrier into two pieces.

8" next?

 

[RyleyF]

I only run 31's on my D35, but found a D44 and I'm putting that in ASAP because I want the peace of mind. Even with open and 31's I still don't trust it. Too many horror stories.

 

[cal]

I blew up my 35 open on 32" AT's without any real effort. My front tires were on the rocks, my rear on the dirt.. i would have expected the tire to spin before it broke.

it was non c-clip, I never did open it up to see what broke, just threw it away and put in a 29 spline 8.25 i already had sitting at home.

 

[JAS]

I have a D35->Trac Lock with 31 inch MT/Rs It has been DD and weekend warrior status for most of its wheeling career. I wheeled it like it was my DD.

No issues yet....I am planning on an 8.8 swap before I go to 33 inch or bigger tires.

 

[kleake]

My stock D35 has had many wheelin miles on it with 31's before being lowered back to stock before I got it. Then I lifted it and put 32's on. About 2 months went by and one of the ring gear bolts got into the gears :shocked: (head broke off 2 of them, bolt backed out and got picked up in the oil). I was planning a locker, but not at that time, and since it is my DD, then I had to fix it quick without much research. I put in the Super 35 kit 30 spline with Detroit and 4.10 gears. So far it has been great, and I've heard good things around here with the Super kit, but time will tell.... I am planning to truss it and beef up the tubes a little, and 35's are in the future plans but not any time soon. I have since learned that an 8.8 from an explorer with disk probably would have been a better option, but I didn't have the time to research when I had to get back to work on Monday.... I will probably get the 8.8 and have it ready as a backup when I go with the 35's.... Like many others, I've heard many good and bad's with them, but mine is the first time anyone I have talked to has heard about ring gear bolt heads coming off...... I tested the rest when I took it apart, and found that 4 out of the 8 were hangin on by a toothpick!!! Could be that others have had the same thing happen, just didn't take them apart to see what broke, just replaced it instead..... :repair:

 

[l4cl4c]

I Ran my D35 for about 2 years with an open carrier and 31 MTA's. Locked it and broke in about 1 year. I don't wheel hard nor do I baby it. The engine is a little beefed up 4L with AW4 and 4.10s.

My opion is to carry spare axles and wait till it blows. OR it you have the money do the upgrade to D44, 8.8, or 9 inch and forget about it. Then worry about the front D30 like me.