cherokee axle question

[01XJ]

i just bought a 2001 cherokee and was courious about what axles were in it i was told they usually come with 30 in front 35 in rear so i climed under to check it and the rear has a sticker on it that say 8.25 3:55 open on it so my question is is 8.25 different than a 35 or are they the same and if different is the 8.25 a good axle worth putting money into it...

 

[wildkid]

That means your rear is a Chrystlar 8.25 = better than the D35 = worth keeping.

 

[crimsonride]

Should be alright with 35's if you're a light pedal user.

 

[RedRockUT]

Yea, 8.25 is better than D35. And I think "Open" means that it does not have Limited Slip Diff.

 

[KToy]

and 3:55 is the gear ratio. and yeah it has a d30 or d35 up front which is basicaly garbage unless u stay under 33's and open diff.

 

[mbryson]

and 3:55 is the gear ratio. and yeah it has a d30 or d35 up front which is basicaly garbage unless u stay under 33's and open diff.

 

[KToy]

mb am i wrong about the d30 and d35 ???

 

[mbryson]

mb am i wrong about the d30 and d35 ???

D35 is a REAR axle except in F*rd TTB items (from what I've heard). In all Jeep cases, the D35 is a rear axle. A locker in that axle is pretty much a waste of cash, IMHO, unless you plan on 29"-31" tires......(and even then it's not a good choice)

He's already mentioned that he has the 8.25 (and a decent one at that--29 spline but with c-clips). I'd stick with 33" tires and probably not worry about the axles (and other XJ issues) if it were mine, but the front and rear axle could run 35" tires without much trouble (I'd have some spare shafts handy and be a llittle knowledgeable about how to repair them if you do wheel it).

The D30 has the same axle joints as your D44 and will break them just as easily with 35". The 2000-01 have a low pinion (same as a TJ) and are a little weaker than the earlier reverse D30. Again, spare shafts and some knowledge are your friend........ I've bent housings, busted shafts, blown joints, etc, but the ring/pinion/locker was almost always repairable/reusable.

Would I put money in the axles? Good question. If you planned on sticking with 33" tires, sure. If you think you can run 37" or bigger tires with them, I'd save my $$$$ and buy some stronger axles (and maybe a stronger platform to build on---endless debate about that available all over the web....)......IMHO, 35" tires are kind of a crap shoot. I had all kinds of issues going from 33" SSR's to 35" MT/R's..... I know someone else running MT/R's and aluminum rims that made his D30 live for a while.

 

[wipedawg]

The d30 is fine up front for 35's. That little axle's got some ballz. The 8.25 is great for 33's and decent for 35's. But i'd say the majority of guys running 35's are running the stock 30 upfront.

 

[jardine]

my friend is running 35s on his cherokee and he hasnt had a problem yet oh yeah hes got a lockright and 4.56's up there too

 

[chadschoon]

never had a problem with my d30 or my d44 and i have 35 and lockers front and rear, but that doesent mean it wont happen. i just hope it doesent happen to me lol knock on wood

 

[KToy]

whats the hardest trails you all do ?

 

[gorillaxj]

d30? like a d44? confused.....

i have a friend with a d30 up front and 456's an arb and 35s. he blew his d35 rear two times then went to a d44 rear and has had no problems. he hasnt had any problems from the d30. he told me that the d30 front is the same platform as the d44 in the rubicon exept for the carrier. and that as long as it is a u joint axle it will be fine for 35s, you just have to watch the trottle when locked. not to say it is just as good or = cuz its not. he was told buy some guys at jeep and confermed by a guy he works with. i dont know if this is true. but want to know what you guys think.he has done all the trails in moab exept pritchit and another 4+(forgot the name). also partisapated in u-rock. if any thing i would put a superior kit in the d30 and leave it. unless you want bigger then 35s. or if you will get throttle happy with 35s. just my miss spelled 50 cents.

 

[mbryson]

whats the hardest trails you all do ?

Hard trails: With my XJ (Dana 30 and rear 44 w/ARBs), I did regularly did Pritchett (Even with 32" tires ), Lower Helldorado, lower and middle (?) Proving Grounds.......

 

[KToy]

cool out of those trails all i have done is pritchet.. but memorial we did coyote canyon what a trip.

i want to try all proving grounds and all heldorados though.. but im not sure where they are.

 

[mbryson]

cool out of those trails all i have done is pritchet.. but memorial we did coyote canyon what a trip.

Coyote is cool. I wasn't sure if I had enough spare axleshafts to make it through that trail the time I was there.

i want to try all proving grounds and all heldorados though.. but im not sure where they are.

Upper Helldorado is all that's open anymore.

 

[95jeepgrndchke]

cool out of those trails all i have done is pritchet.. but memorial we did coyote canyon what a trip.

i want to try all proving grounds and all heldorados though.. but im not sure where they are.

Good Luck Getting to PG it was fenced off on EJS

 

[KToy]

well that sucks on helldorado and PG well someday maybe. hopefully i can get my d60 up front done and go hit BFG area. i want to hit upper really bad and the pickle and then coyote canyon again.