DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I recently moved to CO from NV. I come from a car only past, and have a passion for old BMW's. Living in CO almost demands having a 4x4 truck, so I sold the cars (except for my baby) and set out to find the right truck. Althought I haven't much experience with the MJ trucks, but I have always enjoyed seeing them around. I know a little about XJ's, but decided I would like to have the MJ with the Metric Ton package due to the 4.0, AX15 and D44 they are reported to come with. I wanted something STRONG. So I set out searching, and found a decent little MJ on Craigslist closeby. Despite the DIY CAMO paint-job, I took a ride to check it out. The owner reports not knowing enough about the truck to keep it running and wanted to sell. It has 260k on it, but It started right up, ran around the block fine - albeit leaking a bit, 4x4 worked. The truck has the Metric Ton package, logo's, and the VIN check shows it was built with the MT package. The owner ADVERTISED it with the D44 and AX15. Since I don't know in my head what those LOOK like, I take his word for it. After a bit of conversation, i ended up taking her home. I am happy. A couple months go by and I get around to replacing the rear main seal, oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and harmonic balancer. I am crawling around and generally sizing up the truck. I see some odd things. The rear axle looks... small. So I take a pic on the phone, come inside and compare pics to the ones found on the internet. DUDE! That's not a D44, it's a Chrysler 8.25. An OPEN 8.25. What the hell man?! I also notice that the transmission has a seam down the center... That's not an AX15... that's a Puegot! DAMMIT MAN! This guy's duped me pretty good. Who the hell swaps inferior parts in? Anyway, I suppose it's time to get to fixing... Any advice on what I should be looking for on this one? I'm still excited to have the truck, just bummed I have to replace things I thought I already had. Anyway - looking forward to being part of the community. DWR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeless Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Unfortunately, things like this happen. A lot can be swapped in the 27 some odd years these trucks have been around. 29 spline 8.25's are almost a dime a dozen. As for the transmission, if it ain't broke, don't fix it...until it breaks. As for advice on what you should be looking for, that is a pretty general question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 This would be the '87 Comanche in your signature? The 5-speed transmission in 1987 was the Peugeot, so you probably have the original transmission. Unless you really like to beat on your transmissions, that's not as bad as many people make it out to be. My '88 XJ was bought new by me. It has the Peugeot 5-speed, and it's currently at around 287,000 miles, and should be good for a lot more. Just remember that it's not a BMW, it's not a drag race transmission, and if you try to slam shift it you WILL break it. Don't know what to say about the rear axle. If the truck is a Metric Ton truck, verified by VIN codes, then it should have a Dana 44. He could have destroyed the D44 and just tossed in what he could get easily and cheaply. MJ Dana 44s don't grow on trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 This would be the '87 Comanche in your signature? The 5-speed transmission in 1987 was the Peugeot, so you probably have the original transmission. Unless you really like to beat on your transmissions, that's not as bad as many people make it out to be. My '88 XJ was bought new by me. It has the Peugeot 5-speed, and it's currently at around 287,000 miles, and should be good for a lot more. Just remember that it's not a BMW, it's not a drag race transmission, and if you try to slam shift it you WILL break it. Don't know what to say about the rear axle. If the truck is a Metric Ton truck, verified by VIN codes, then it should have a Dana 44. He could have destroyed the D44 and just tossed in what he could get easily and cheaply. MJ Dana 44s don't grow on trees. Yessir, the Mj in my sig... and this response make perfect sense. I was under the impression that all MT trucks got an AX15. I must have been misinformed. The trans actually shifts just fine. The lever is sloppy as all getout, but it shifts just fine. I don't hot-rod my bimmers, and certainly not the Jeep. I suppose I'll just service the fluid and hope for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 The C8.25 is not a bad axle. My guess is he messed up the D44 and swapped in the first thing he came across at the junkyard... At least he didn't put in a D35... When the BA-10/5 craps out, get a '94+ AX15 and call it good. If I could get my hands on a C8.25 rear setup for the MJ, I'd totally get it as it's a pretty strong axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I know a guy with a stock daily driven MJ that never leaves pavement , he has replaced one 4.0l and had the D44 rebuilt. The Peugeot is still working fine. I also know another guy who wheeled the crap out an XJ with a Peugeot for about a decade, when he finally parted the rig the trans was in perfect working order,IIRC its under another XJ now. I don't think I would put one back in a rig, but I wouldn't go out of my way to take one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Yessir, the Mj in my sig... and this response make perfect sense. I was under the impression that all MT trucks got an AX15. I must have been misinformed. The trans actually shifts just fine. The lever is sloppy as all getout, but it shifts just fine. I don't hot-rod my bimmers, and certainly not the Jeep. I suppose I'll just service the fluid and hope for the best. You were misinformed. They all (all the 4.0Ls, that is) got the Peugeot until mid-1989, after that they all got the AX-15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 If it is an early (mid 1996 and older) 8.25 it will have 27 spline axle shafts that are almost as thin as Dana 35 shafts. If it is mid 1996 and newer it will have 29 spline axle shafts. They are identical on the outside. The 29 spline axle shafts are almost as strong as a D44, the 8.25" 3" diameter axle tubes are actually stronger than a Dana 44. The 8.25" does have a slightly smaller ring gear, but not enough to make much of a difference. Overall strength they are pretty much equal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 If it is an early (mid 1996 and older) 8.25 it will have 27 spline axle shafts that are almost as thin as Dana 35 shafts. If it is mid 1996 and newer it will have 29 spline axle shafts. They are identical on the outside. The 29 spline axle shafts are almost as strong as a D44, the 8.25" 3" diameter axle tubes are actually stronger than a Dana 44. The 8.25" does have a slightly smaller ring gear, but not enough to make much of a difference. Overall strength they are pretty much equal. Even the early, smaller 8.25s are superior to the Dana 35, despite having the same diameter shafts. A major weakness of the Dana 35 is the axle tubes bending where they enter the diff housing. The Chrysler 8.25 has larger diameter (and heavier wall???) tubes, which pretty much eliminates this problem. Of course, if the OP's truck is truly a Metric Ton model, it would not have had a Dana 35 ... it should have a Dana 44. For most purposes, though, either 8.25 will be quite serviceable. Both my '88 XJ and '88 MJ have Dana 35s and have been wheeled all over New England (and the XJ has also been to New Mexico and points west) with no rear axle problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Why would someone weld in a 8 1/4? Are you sure it's not a D35? Does it have the pinion snubber bosses on the front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I know a guy with a stock daily driven MJ that never leaves pavement , he has replaced one 4.0l and had the D44 rebuilt. The Peugeot is still working fine. I also know another guy who wheeled the crap out an XJ with a Peugeot for about a decade, when he finally parted the rig the trans was in perfect working order,IIRC its under another XJ now. I don't think I would put one back in a rig, but I wouldn't go out of my way to take one out. I also don't mind the peugeot transmission. Is it as good as the AX15 probably not but its not so bad. My truck still has the 2wd peugeot that I changed the tail shaft housing on to convert to 4wd and its still going strong. By the way at 150k the D35 has been replaced by a previous owner and I have rebuilt the 4.0, so the only thing original is the Peugeot. Lol I also wonder if the biggest problem with the peugeot was the funky square drive drain plugs. I think this caused the transmissions to be neglected for oil changes and probably contributed to their short lifes. Especially for people who use the chain lube shops, they probably just said skip it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Why would someone weld in a 8 1/4? Are you sure it's not a D35? Does it have the pinion snubber bosses on the front? Didn't the '91-'92 MJs have a 8.25 as an option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 You know what... what if this whole time he had the rare AMC-20 and was mistaking that for the 8.25? Maybe? Idk. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Why would someone weld in a 8 1/4? Are you sure it's not a D35? Does it have the pinion snubber bosses on the front? Didn't the '91-'92 MJs have a 8.25 as an option? The 8.25 started appearing under Cherokees some time in 1991 with the D44 no longer available, but the Comanche used either a D35 or a D44 right through the end in 1992. No 8.25 ever came under a Comanche from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 Pretty sure it's an 8.25. Looking at things today, I'm noticing that the spring perches were not relocated... it's causing the leaf springs to bow out severely. The shackel & spring bushings are toast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 Empty Post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Yep, that's a genuine C8.25 from an XJ that some dumbass put under there without re-welding spring perches... :doh: This is how the MJ's (SUA, in this case) vs. the XJ's differ: (Not necessarily to scale) You need to remove that, get some new perches and have them re-welded in the correct spot. It would be a good idea to tilt the axle upward too since it looks like the angle on your drive shaft is a little harsh. Would also be a good idea to remove the XJ's shock mounts too since they're not needed... That explains the anomaly and the toasted bushings... haha. Would you mind taking a few more pictures from different angles so we can see more of the stupidity of the PO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 Cool, thanks for the verification. I'll weld on some perches in the right location. Any chance you have the measurements for correct perch location handy? I took a few pics today... started the bed bobbing process today. I'll try making up a new rear bumper at work tomorrow (or at least stay out). A nice, simple 2x6 is easy to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Measure the width between the center of the frame rails where the leaf springs mount. The distance between the center of the spring perches should be the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92tanMJ Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 :thumbsup: IMO that is a 8.25 . And I highly doubt you can get the year it came from by just looking at it and any 8.25 is an upgrade over a D35. And the 8.25 is basically as strong as the D44. It just doesnt have the same reputation the D44 has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 IMO that is a 8.25 . And I highly doubt you can get the year it came from by just looking at it and any 8.25 is an upgrade over a D35. And the 8.25 is basically as strong as the D44. It just doesnt have the same reputation the D44 has. Correction: The '97 and newer 8.25 is basically as strong as the D44. The '96 and older have smaller shafts that are the same size as the D35, but larger tubes that are less prone to bending. Any 8.25 is better than a D35, but they aren't all equal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DangerWillRbnsn Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 What is the easiest way for me to figure out what 8.25 he put in the truck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92tanMJ Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 IMO that is a 8.25 . And I highly doubt you can get the year it came from by just looking at it and any 8.25 is an upgrade over a D35. And the 8.25 is basically as strong as the D44. It just doesnt have the same reputation the D44 has. Correction: The '97 and newer 8.25 is basically as strong as the D44. The '96 and older have smaller shafts that are the same size as the D35, but larger tubes that are less prone to bending. Any 8.25 is better than a D35, but they aren't all equal. Thank you for catching that, I didnt know 8.25s came in xjs pre 97. What is the easiest way for me to figure out what 8.25 he put in the truck? I'm just jumping out a limb here...but I bet the best way is just to pull a shaft and messure it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm just jumping out a limb here...but I bet the best way is just to pull a shaft and messure it. I'd have to agree. I can't think of any other way to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 I'm just jumping out a limb here...but I bet the best way is just to pull a shaft and messure it. I'd have to agree. I can't think of any other way to do it. Pull the shaft and count the splines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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