Which axle is the best?

[B192734]

Wheel upgrade

I was talking to some buddies last night drinking coffee into the wee hours, and they were saying that the axle on my 2000 cherokee sport should eventually be replaced with a better version. I don't recall if they had a specific type or not, and was wondering what you guys thought about that. I don't know off the top of my head which axle is on it right now, but I assume that it's whatever it came with, cause I didn't do anything to it...

What do ya think?

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: Re: RE: thanks

IF you have a 4.0L 6 cyl engine you most likely have the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Being a 2000, it has larger axleshafts than the older 8.25's.

What size tires do you have? If you have 33" tires or less the 8.25 will hold up well.

You can look for a sticker on the underside of the axle tube next to your pass side rear tire. it probabl;y has 8.25, 3:55, open written on it??? if not, what does it have written on it?

 

[B192734]

I will go and dig around under there tonight and see. Otherwise if it's the 8.25 thereshouldn't really be much of a problem with it?

 

[jay79cj7]

TC- I thought the D35 was stock and the 8.25 was an option or part of the towing package or something?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

D35 was standard and the 8.25" was part of the tow package that also included the receiver and external transmission cooler.

They discontinued the 8.25 for '01, but I don't know if it was available in '00 or not.

Wether you need upgrading or not, really depends on what you use the jeep for. The stock axles are fine for a lot of uses, but like everything else they have their limits.

Let us know how much lift, tire size, and how you use your jeep and we'll better be able to advise on wether or not the stock axles are okay.

 

[B192734]

Right now it's stock, but I'm looking at putting a 3" lift on it soon, and a little larger tires. I don't know about the size on the tires yet, just something slightly bigger. Right now this is my main vehicle and so it will get used to go to work and back plus wheelin' when there's a chance, but not excessive offroading right at the moment until there is a new vehicle that will get me to work when I break things.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Your stock axle should work just fine. Have you determined which axle you have yet?

 

[B192734]

RE: you can

Nah, not yet. I've been car shopping for the wife for the last week or so. It sure stinks trying to find cars.

 

[jps4jeep]

What is the typical life of a shock / stabilizer?

You definatly should be alright. Even with a D35 and assuming 31" tires. as long as you do not install a locker onto that axle with a larger tire, you should get years of faithful service.

 

[Junkpile]

I'd rather have a D35 than the 8.25 under a lifted Cherokee, simply because of aftermarket support. The D35 can be modified to be alot stronger, if the pricetag is within the budget. The same goes for the alD44 in the GCs. It's marginally stronger than the D35 in factory form, but add a few parts to the D35(that aren't available for the others) and that completely changes.

They all suck though.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

It's way too costly and IMO not wise to throw a whole lot of money into the D35, that's why when comparing axles in stock trim the 8.25 is much better. I'll soon be swapping the 35 in my MJ for a 8.25 I pulled from my parts XJ. Why? Because it's there and it's the right gear ratio, lug pattern, width, etc. Plus it's much better than the D35.

 

[Junkpile]

Bounty, I mostly agree with you. I wouldn't throw money at one either, unless I was dead set against a non-OEM swap. I would just prefer it to the other two I mentioned.

My point was that if the D35 isn't going to hold up to the punishment, the 8.25 is going to puke it's guts just a few more feet further up the trail. There is nothing wrong with the 8.25, but while it is stronger than the D35 in factory form, it can't be modified to be as strong as a built up D35. The Yukon kit is what? $800? Throw in a homebuilt axle truss and you have just exceeded the strength offered by the 8.25 to a pretty decent degree, except in R&P strength......and if you aren't breaking the shafts in an 8.25, I doubt you would have to worry too much about busting a D35 gearset.

How much is an 8.25 out of the junkyard? Detroit for it? HD 30 spline shafts? I'm just not sold on the idea that an 8.25 swap is any stronger or cheaper than building the D35, if that's what you already have under your Jeep. For the same reasons, I'd choose that axle from the start when compared to either the 8.25 or the alD44. Just my personal preference.