XJ 8.25 in a YJ

Been trying to find info via Google and there just isn't much out there.
So far it looks like the Dana 35 is 60 inches WMS and the 8.25 is 60.5, so that is great.

I guess I could just get it and cut off the spring perches and weld them on under the axle. I'm pretty sure the XJ is a spring over, just looking for some verification and tips here.

the 8.25 is spring over. It would be a good time for a full spring over swap or just cut the perches off the 8.25 and convert to spring under.

I run this axel. I bought it built from a guy in our club here at UT. Absolutely great and I romp on it with 35"s and a locker and nothing broken to date.

Yes, it is sprung over, but that requires a whole hour of work and a pair of new spring plates if you want it under. You're going to have to hack the plates either way because the pinion angle is not going to be correct, garunteed.

Of course, if your friend can get the sand out of his panties, he should just go sprung over anyway. :flipoff:

--Hardy :

Correct, they are spring over and just about the same width (as you found out). As for strength ... I've heard a little better than the D35's but not night and day difference. At $90 plus a little work to get it right, it might be worth it.

Keep in mind the 8.25's were not ABS so that would require more work if the D35 is.

No need for a spring over, the Jeep does fine with a 3 inch lift and 32's.
Looks like we are going to put a Detroit in the 8.25. I know, we could build up some other axle and have more strength, but he doesn't want a big lift, doesn't want a wide Jeep. It's barely wheeled at all and he has $1000 to spend on it.

why not get a d44 from a sahara.then its just a bolt in.

Do you know where I can find one?

junk yard?.get on as many local jeep sites as you can find and watch the for sale ads.

A D44 would be overkill for 33"s. I wouldn't waste my time trying to find one. That 8.25 will hold up fine and will probly be considerably cheaper to attain, leaving more $$$ for other things.

Mine is locked and 4.56 geared and hasn't broken with me romping on 35"s in 2 years.

--Hardy :

not trying to hijack, but I've got a question about this?

On 2005-11-28 17:49, trap wrote:
why not get a d44 from a sahara.then its just a bolt in.

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are you refering to a wrangler sahara, or some other moddle with the sahara package? and what years?

sorry i dont know what i was thinkin last night.i was thinkin (tj) when i said wrangler sahara.the yj never had a d44 in it except for in canada.the xj did have a dana 44 in like 86-90 with a heavy duty tow package. i think it was.they are on ebay usually.if you look around you can find a xj 44 for about 200 bucks.another option is the ford 8.8 out of exploders.it commes with disks brakes.sorry bout the mix up.i was probally to mad to realize what i was typing lastnight cause of the steelers :cuss:

The XJ's dont have the rear track bar bracket on them like the YJ axles do......although I've had 2 YJ's and pulled the track bars front and rear and it actually rode and flexed better.

On 2005-11-29 06:07, trap wrote:
the xj did have a dana 44 in like 86-90 with a heavy duty tow package.

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87-89 and only some with the tow package had it. As you go up in years (88, then 89), they became rarer.

On 2005-11-29 06:07, trap wrote:
sorry i dont know what i was thinkin last night.i was thinkin (tj) when i said wrangler sahara.the yj never had a d44 in it except for in canada.the xj did have a dana 44 in like 86-90 with a heavy duty tow package. i think it was.they are on ebay usually.if you look around you can find a xj 44 for about 200 bucks.another option is the ford 8.8 out of exploders.it commes with disks brakes.sorry bout the mix up.i was probally to mad to realize what i was typing lastnight cause of the steelers :cuss:

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That's why I asked if you knew where I could find one. :

I've considered the other options but this 8.25 is easily attainable, it's cheap, and I can have it ready to go under the Jeep pretty quickly. I considered the Ford 8.8 but I couldn't find any around here, or any on the Internet for a steal. The 8.25 will do just fine for him... then we'll have to worry about the Dana 30 front.

Really, I don't understand why you're getting your panties in a twist over 33"s. They're not that cool. He might break the disco side of his front axel-shaft if he's unlucky in which case you swap out for a TJ solid shaft. Done.

Unless he is just a MONSTER on the pedal, I don't think he's going to break dick. Even then, he probly won't break much.

--Hardy :

That's why we are just doing a small upgrade. He doesn't wheel much, he isn't hard on the Jeep. He just wants better gearing and a rear locker, and wants to replace his rear axle. I couldn't find a Dana 35 ready to bolt in so I found this 8.25 and it will do just fine. It's slightly stronger, it's inexpensive, and will suit him just fine.

The 8.25 is an excellent axle. Though they are c-clip, they rarely fail. They are quite strong and just a notch less desireable than a Dana 44. In fact, they are larger than a Dana 44 in the tubes, housing and gears.


The one downside is that the 8.25 uses much smaller brakes. But they are still quite effective.

You know I have a good deal of knowledge on drivetrain stuff and know what works and doesn't. With that being said, I swapped out my XJs Dana 44 and replaced it with a Chrysler 8.25. I have been and will remain confident in the 8.25s strength and reliability. :bigthumb:

Cool man, good to hear.