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XJ axle on an MJ


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It depends on which axle (front or rear), and what aspect of your axle is bad. Keeping in mind that any XJ axle you get is going to be used, it might make better sense to repair what's wrong with yours than to swap in a different with its own potential problems.

 

Plus there's the issue of matching gear ratios. If the XJ axle isn't from within the same year range as your MJ, the knuckles, hubs and rotors will be different and that means you won't be able to use your MJ calipers, you would have to use calipers from the same year as the axle.

 

Why don't you give us a bit more information on what the problem is with your axle?

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well since you will be replacing the axle your best bet would probably be to uprage the axle. The d35 is not known for being a great axle, i would say look for a d44 or a ford 8.8. instead of throwing money at something that will probably break again jamminz.gif

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1) it is the rear axle thats screwed up.

2)the dana 35 is spittin teeth all over the place (found about 6 or 7 in the gear oil at the bottom)

3)we looked around and it was cheaper to buy a used axle from a junkyard than buy new gears.

What ratio, and how do you use the truck?

 

So many people have upgraded from the D35 that someone here might just give you a set of used gears, if used gears would be all you need.

 

If it's a street truck, though, the D35 is adequate and putting in an XJ axle would be an acceptable solution. However -- for the same amount of work, you could drop in an XJ Chrysler 8-1/4 axle. Any of them are better than the D35, and the 97 and newer have larger 29-spline axle shafts that approach the D44 in strength. If the junkyard will sell you one of those for not too much more than a D35, that's probably the way to go.

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Eagle wrote

Any of them are better than the D35, and the 97 and newer have larger 29-spline axle shafts that approach the D44 in strength. If the junkyard will sell you one of those for not too much more than a D35, that's probably the way to go
do you know if these are clipped and how much effort is to keep these in the SUA vice SOA just a personal pref. for me :hmm:
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Eagle wrote
Any of them are better than the D35, and the 97 and newer have larger 29-spline axle shafts that approach the D44 in strength. If the junkyard will sell you one of those for not too much more than a D35, that's probably the way to go
do you know if these are clipped and how much effort is to keep these in the SUA vice SOA just a personal pref. for me :hmm:

If by "clipped" you mean are they c-clip, the answer is yes. And the spring perches are located the same as for an XJ D35, which means they are spring over but NOT the same spacing as for an MJ. So to use it in an MJ, regardless of SUA or SOA you either have to relocate the perches or simply weld on new ones (if you're going SUA).

 

Like all XJ axles, they also have the lower shock mounts welded to the tubes. You can leave those in place and simply not use them, or if you're concerned about ground clearance you can cut them off. I would cut them off.

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However -- for the same amount of work, you could drop in an XJ Chrysler 8-1/4 axle. Any of them are better than the D35, and the 97 and newer have larger 29-spline axle shafts that approach the D44 in strength. If the junkyard will sell you one of those for not too much more than a D35, that's probably the way to go.

 

I just got back from the Badlands an hour ago, and my D35 rear gave up the ghost as well. I am looking for an upgrade. I don't know what ratio my rear axle is, and i didn't see a tag on it. the 8.8 Ford sounds interesting which is tougher the new Chrysler 8 1/4 or the Ford 8.8?

 

BBC

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I just got back from the Badlands an hour ago, and my D35 rear gave up the ghost as well. I am looking for an upgrade. I don't know what ratio my rear axle is, and i didn't see a tag on it. the 8.8 Ford sounds interesting which is tougher the new Chrysler 8 1/4 or the Ford 8.8?

The Exploder 8.8 is marginally tougher than the Mopar 8-1/4, BUT ...

 

Consider that the Ford axle is too narrow and that you'll have to run spacers just to keep even stock tires from rubbing on the sheetmetal. Either that or run ridiculous backspacing that'll leave the front wheels sticking way outside of the flares. Plus the Ford axle has an offset differential -- not a major issue in an MJ, but a consideration.

 

The Mopar axle (97 and newer XJ will have the 29-spline shafts) is the correct width for an MJ. Weld on the perches and you're ready to rock and roll. I know a lot of people seem to think the 8.8 is a wonderful idea, but IMHO it's ridiculous. Unless you need the deeper gearing options available (but not standard) in the 8.8, the Chrysler axle is so much less work that to me it's a no-brainer.

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was the 8.25 ever available with 3:07s?

Yes, of course. It was used in every non-ABS XJ with the 4.0L engine and 5-speed from about 1992 and newer. The 92 thru 96 will be 27-spline with sgafts that are the same size as the D35 but the larger ring gear and tougher housing and tubes. 97 thru 2001 are the more desireable 29-spline version.

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