98 XJ Axle Upgrade

[rbneron]

Have a 98 XJ with standard non-locking differentials. What is the best (read: least expensive but reliable) way to upgrade to lockers? Is it OK to upgrade these or better to swap out for a larger Dana front / rear end?

[Lukipela]

what axle do you have?

[rbneron]

Believe the 98 XJ comes with a Dana 35 front and the Chrysler 8.25 rear (27 spline). What is the easiest way to confirm?

[shmoken875]

Believe the 98 XJ comes with a Dana 35 front and the Chrysler 8.25 rear (27 spline). What is the easiest way to confirm?

you have a high oinion dana 30 front, and either a dana 35 or chrysler 8.25 29 spline rear (97-01). If the bottom of the rear axle housing is round, its the dana, if the bottom of the housing has a flat lip its the 8.25.

[hklvette]

pray that you have the C8.25, because the D35 sucks.

[Ctrow]

D44 all the way if u can find one in a junk yard. They were under some of the older xjs. the crystler isn't a bad axle tho. pretty sure thats what u got

[rbneron]

Yep, it's a Chrysler 8.25 29 spline. So, back to my original question...is it worth putting a locker in these? A Dana 44 will set be back $1000 an axle, yes?

[Jwlman]

Yep, it's a Chrysler 8.25 29 spline. So, back to my original question...is it worth putting a locker in these? A Dana 44 will set be back $1000 an axle, yes?

What size tires you running?

[TerryD]

guys on NAXJA are runnin 33's and some larger tires on 8.25/29's and having no trouble. i've looked and looked at options for mine and decided that a locker in my 8.25 will be the best. i also welded a bung in place of that stupid rubber fill plug and now mine doesn't leak anymore. i had to rebuild it when i got it because the ring gear just pumps gear lube out that plug and it had killed the pinion bearings. the only real advantage of the D44 besides parts availability is that its a semi-floating axle opposed to the 8.25/29's C-Clip design.

[rbneron]

Thanks, TerryD. It's just stock factory wheels and tires right now; guess a set of bigger wheels / tires is a good first step with lockers to follow. Going to a 44 is likely overkill, and big $$$.

Will a locker improve performance significantly and, if so, what's the best value option?

[TerryD]

well, mines bone stock, even has the stock 3.08 gears open/open. i'm lookin to do a 3.55 gear swap w/ lockers and leave it at that unless maybe 4.10's are needed in the future. set of 15x8's and a RE 4.5 superflex kit are also part of those plans. but i'm stickin w/ the 8.25. shmoken875 runs a 8.25 on his xj. he'll testify too....

[Lukipela]

i know the my 8.25 has no problem spinning the 33's ans i have 3.55 gears in it cuz that is what it came with. A locker is always good but right now save up you money and buy a lift and tires before you get a locker.

[Leach]

Negative. Lifts and tires look good but wont do as much for you on the trail. Lockers are the most beneficial upgrade to any vehicle. Period.

[TerryD]

yeah, i'm w/ leach here too. i'm gonna have a locker w/ the 3.55's in mine along time before a lift is in the picture. flex and traction is key, dont worry about lift till you realize you're crazy enough to need it. these things flex like mad in stock trim, especially if your rear springs are in the shape mine are....

[shmoken875]

yea go fer the locker, I built mine ass backwards, and don't worry about the 8.25 it'll hold up to your set-up easy. I've got this problem where anytime I hit an obstacle I stand on the skinny pedal, 8.25 has held up, but trashed a 30 shaft in a mud hole