New Axle Problems/Axle identification

[gitslashgin]

So, this guy who sold me a "dana 35" is dumb I think. At least as far as I know. I picked up a set of axles out of an 88 Comanche or so he said. The problem I'm having is that the leaf spring seats are on top of the axle. My axle was originally s.u.a. and I have converted it using rocky road outfitter's s.o.a. kit. This kit keys into the spring seats. My question is can I swap just the center sections? The "new" axle does not have a tag on it which upsets me. I know my old axle is 3.08 ratio and the guy I purchased this one from said it was 3.08 as well. What do i need to do to reset the pinion preload? Also, if you can identify the axle it'd help. It has a round cover and a rubber plug vs my old axle with a steel threaded plug. The only other thing that I see is different is the outer axle flange on my old one has what looks like 2 crescents on it and the new one has just a 1/2" box. Any ideas are appreciated, and if I can mod this axle to sit pretty I will.

 

Edit:

My old axles tag reads:

53004770

3.08 605324-1

 

The stamped letters on my old axle are:

42968

305-8

REV N

11-01-87

 

The "new" axle is stamped as follows:

43225

237-9

08-29-88

 

Thanks guys, this is such a hassle.

Mike.

[yxmj]

First idea that pops into my head is don't guess...if you are going to use the axle would you not change the fluid?

Take the cover off...the correct ratio will be stamped into the ring gear.....no guessing cold hard facts.... . :MJ 1: .

[Rockfrog]

The stamped numbers/letters on the differential covers have little to do with the axle itself. Just part numbers for the covers is all.

 

The axle tags are what will have information, or find the BOM numbers on the tubes.

 

Without a picture ID of the axle isn't going to go well. Only 4 options though ... D35, D44, AMC 20, or if it's an XJ axle a C8.25. If it looks like your axle with different spring perch locations then it's probably a Dana35, just from something else ... with leaf springs they came in YJ's and XJ's as well.

 

Have you measured the perch widths? do they match the stock axle? the "new" axle may have already been converted to SOA so the perches would be on top. Or, you may have been given an XJ axle, the perch width is different from a Comanche so bust out that tape measure.

[gitslashgin]

I have 3 quarts of new 80-90 to go in it, it's empty now. It really looks like a dana 35. I've compared the axles for about an hour now, looking over each bit. I'll pop the cover off, I'm in the process of removing some welded on shock mounts that the P.O. put on there. I measured the distance from the spring pack to the axle that's in my jeep now and it is 1/2". the perches on the "new" axle are 1/2" tall from axle to top of perch. I figure maybe I just delete the lift kit's perches for now (even though they're longer front to rear to prevent axle wrap), then sometime in the future cut those off and weld new ones or the same ones underneath. I will pop the cover again to check that it is indeed 3.08 ratio. I'll measure the perch widths too.

 

Thanks guys,

Mike

[Incommando]

If those shock mounts have one in front of the axle and one in the rear that is the XJ set-up. If they are both on the same side and welded on then it may be it that it was an SOA attempt.

[Eagle]

I'm in the process of removing some welded on shock mounts that the P.O. put on there.

Are you sure some previous owner put those shock mounts on? Are you aware that XJ rear axles have the shock mounts welded to the axle tubes? Please post some photos. I think you bought an XJ axle.

[Rockfrog]

 

 

I have 3 quarts of new 80-90 to go in it, it's empty now. It really looks like a dana 35. I've compared the axles for about an hour now, looking over each bit. I'll pop the cover off, I'm in the process of removing some welded on shock mounts that the P.O. put on there. I measured the distance from the spring pack to the axle that's in my jeep now and it is 1/2". the perches on the "new" axle are 1/2" tall from axle to top of perch. I figure maybe I just delete the lift kit's perches for now (even though they're longer front to rear to prevent axle wrap), then sometime in the future cut those off and weld new ones or the same ones underneath. I will pop the cover again to check that it is indeed 3.08 ratio. I'll measure the perch widths too.

 

Thanks guys,

Mike

I was meaning width between perches ... Not actual height of the perches. YJ, XJ and MJ all had different spring perch spacings. YJ and MJ being spring under, and XJ being spring over axle. Only the XJ had welded on shock mounts, stud type, driver side faces rear, passenger faces front.

 

Only a Dana 35 and a C8.25 are remotely similar ... But, the C8.25 has "rhino" horns above the pinion yoke, and a more squared case on the bottom that sticks out around the cover.

 

If it looks like a D35, and doesn't match above, then it most likely IS a D35, Chrysler "put that $#@+ on everything". The turdy five was the go to jeep rear axle since 1984 (and even before when it was known as the AMC model 15 though it was then just a car axle).

[cruiser54]

[yxmj]

Just to make it simple I look at the front of the housing as well as the rear (when the question is 35 or 8.25) the 8.25 will have the Chrysler star cast in it (usually drivers side near the pinion).

 

I would guess as above it is an XJ 35 

[gitslashgin]

I'm 100% positive the P.O. welded the shock mounts on, they were horribly done and mostly slag (thankfully). I'm pretty sure it's an xj axle. I removed my spring perches and used the one's on the axle. I had to flex the springs each about 1/4" towards the outside of the vehicle to get the pins to slide in. Sometime down the road I want to find an mj d44. So, it is a d35, just not out of what the seller said it was out of.

 

Mike.