I've read everywhere that 33s can break Chrysler 8.25 27 spline axle shafts. Some say it happens some say it doesn't. What's your story? If 27 spline is a problem I can always get a 97 and up 29 spline Chrysler 8.25 at a junkyard in swap it in. But since it's gonna be a daily driver and a wheeler will the 27 spline be fine?
I have run this configuration for several years. But the combination life of the axles with this tire will depend on your wheeling style, but also whatever else you do to the axle.
For example, if you're easy on the gas, less chances of breaking (same goes for the rest of the rig, tho)
If you add lockers, re-gear too drastically, etc. That will also have an impact on the longevity.
i had a 27 spline 8.25 on 31s with a lock right and then 33x10.5s and stock gears. sold the axle to a buddy when i geared up and swapped to a 44 and he put 4.10s in it and beat on it with 33s. both were auto XJs. the axle then went under another friend's gf's YJ 5 spd on 35s. she sold it a few months ago.
thats about 5 years and 50k miles or so, it never missed a beat.
I would take a XJ 8.25 over a XJ D44 any day. I don't like how they have the lame sissy tubes of a D35. There's pretty much all the same lockers available but a little deeper gears for the 44, but IMO anything that needs more the 4.88's needs more axle then a 8.25/d44
I would take a XJ 8.25 over a XJ D44 any day. I don't like how they have the lame sissy tubes of a D35. There's pretty much all the same lockers available but a little deeper gears for the 44, but IMO anything that needs more the 4.88's needs more axle then a 8.25/d44
Not true blown out pinion bearing and roasted gears on my 8.25 29 Spline trac lock on 32,s on the Rubicon. I now have an 8.8 with Yukon locker can't wait to test it out next month.
Not true blown out pinion bearing and roasted gears on my 8.25 29 Spline trac lock on 32,s on the Rubicon. I now have an 8.8 with Yukon locker can't wait to test it out next month.
OP- The answer is that you are fine on 33's, but pushing it on 35's... if you are paying cold hard cash for a different axle than your truck came with I would go with a Ford 8.8, If you need help with welding/fab plenty of guys on here would help you for pizza and/or beer. Other than a minor amount of fab you would have twice the axle and almost a bolt on for roughly the same money.
Possibly I had about 60,000 miles on it prior to the Rubicon trip and the gears have always been loud. I had a bad experience with this axle so in the garbage it went.
This is a correct summary in a nutshell! You could add...
D35< 27 8.25< 29 8.25< D44< 8.8<JK D44 (33 upgradeable to 35 spline)
The last is definitely the more expensive option though if you are upgrading an XJ 44 you can get a kit from Jana to change over to a JK R&P which is a beast and change to a 33 or 35 spline carrier. I am happy with my 8.8, but this is my future front axle upgrade (LP Waggy 44) when I eventually get 4.88's and ARB's. Somebody mentioned the tubes being weak on an XJ44... they are, but that's what a truss is for! IMHO an 8.8 is actually the easiest and cheapest overall strength upgrade.
