Shaving an 8.25

[WholeLottaXJ]

From looking at the 8.25, it seems there's quite a bit of metal that can be removed to gain some clearance. That defining "lip" on the bottom seems to get hung up quite often. Does anyone know where I can safely attack it with my angle grinder? Are there any articles on shaving an 8.25?

 

[hintonsooner]

You can safely cut as high up as the bottom of the cover bolts.

 

[WholeLottaXJ]

So I just lay under there with my grinder and have at it? Last thing I wanna do is go too far.

 

[hintonsooner]

Yup, just get after it and smooth it off when you're done.;D

 

[steelmen]

i wouldnt shave a 8.25

that axle is already weak why make it weaker?

 

[ZachMan]

i wouldnt shave a 8.25

that axle is already weak why make it weaker?

8.25 housing weak? LOL okay

 

[andrew2516]

I've been thinking about doing the same...anyone got pics of a shaved 8.25?

 

[EricsXJ]

You can shave quite a lot of the lip off the bottom. I had to go flush with my diff guard so couldn't shave off as much as some. Heres some pics. This first one theres no shaving to the lip yet but I already cut some of the sides of the diff cover that stuck out past the housing.

I actually cut a little more than whats shown here:

Heres another before shot:

After:

After:

 

[ILLXJ]

Eric, where did you get that guard? JIM.

 

[EricsXJ]

Several years ago I bought it (and one for my Dana 30) from this place http://www.younger-bros.com/ They had a large line of Jeep products, but have since stopped making them.

 

[ILLXJ]

Figures. JIM.

 

[WholeLottaXJ]

Well I'm all done. It was pretty easy and now I have a D35 lookalike. From looking at the pics it seems I might have gotten a little carried away with the grinder but it seems fine. I'll just trim the diff guard once I get one.

 

[WholeLottaXJ]

i wouldnt shave a 8.25

that axle is already weak why make it weaker?

Right...



And what's under your rig?

 

[GrayT]

Definitely an easy task. Just shave that lip up the cover and you should be good to go.

Anyone know why it has excess metal right after the cover?

 

[Bloose]

The solution I did was to make a slider. A skid plate for the bottom of the axle. I actually lost 1/4 inch of clearance but it no longer gets hung up. The problem I see with shaving it is the rear cover is super thin and vulnerable before shaving. I had already pealed mine up several times. The slider I made protects to cover as well as the bottom of the diff and keeps the lip from getting caught on stuff.

I agree that the 8.25 is not weak, at least not the 29 splines. I ran mine hard for 8 years with an ARB and up to 35" tires and never broke anything. Now my D30 front, thats another story. Were it not for the fact that I wanted to go to 4.88's I would still be running my 8.25.

B

 

[jdbwrx]

The solution I did was to make a slider. A skid plate for the bottom of the axle. I actually lost 1/4 inch of clearance but it no longer gets hung up. The problem I see with shaving it is the rear cover is super thin and vulnerable before shaving. I had already pealed mine up several times. The slider I made protects to cover as well as the bottom of the diff and keeps the lip from getting caught on stuff.

B

Got a pic???

 

[steelmen]

i wouldnt shave a 8.25

that axle is already weak why make it weaker?

yea dont pay attention to that i was thinking about something way out there:wierd:

 

[steelmen]

Right...



And what's under your rig?

35... soon to be 44 if i ever finish my build

 

[hintonsooner]

The cover is crap.
I've peeled the lip back more times than I can count.
Punched holes in the cover while backing up.
Shot pieces out from the inside.

In my opinion, it's crazy to wheel an 8.25 without protection.

 

[ZachMan]

35... soon to be 44 if i ever finish my build

which both have a weaker housing :laugh3: