Dana 35 or ?

[BKMCSO]

Ok I know the the dana 35 is a weak point in my yj. I was looking through my Quadratec mag since I'm looking into getting a locker and saw a Ox locker and either Alloy USA or Superior axle combos for the 35 for 1028.99/1248.99. What is the weak point in the 35 the shafts or the housing or both. Would this be worth it? Could it handle the harder trails 3.5 and up or should i just look into a dana 44. Sorry but I'm still new to this. Thanks for any replies.

[TRLR8TDTJ]

Both dont waste your money. You wil regret it. You can get 8.8, or d44 then dump the money into it for locker and gears, but dont do it to 35.

Kyle

[Simon]

Both dont waste your money. You wil regret it. You can get 8.8, or d44 then dump the money into it for locker and gears, but dont do it to 35.

Kyle

X2 Dont spend any money on that 35.:)

[David C]

There has been lots of debate on this subject. Some say the upgraded axle shafts (Alloy USA, Superior) are plenty strong enough, like 30% stronger. Others say don't waste a penny on the 35 - go with a D44 or Ford 8.8. The only thing that everybody agrees on is that the stock Dana 35 sucks. I know first hand - I broke the pass side shaft on a small obstacle and broke the driver's side shaft a year later on yet another small rock obstacle. Granted, I was running a Detroit EZ Lock (same as a Lock-Right) which is what caused enough strain to break the shaft. So, I pulled the locker and went back to open diff spider gears but not too long ago, I broke 4 teeth off the spider gears!! On a relatively easy obstacle. I'm in the same boat with you on how to upgrade. I'm now leaning towards the 30 spline chromoly shafts (Alloy USA, Superior) for the 35. I have not heard any stories of those breaking and I don't know about the housing. The stock shafts are the weakest part of the assembly. Search this forum for more info - I know there's pages of debate here. Good luck. :)

[AZLugz]

Desert Fab put a D44 in a friend of mines cheaper than the upgrades would have been and he is real happy with it. I agree with the others, upgrade.

[drroadie]

You can lock the 35, and upgrade the shafts, then truss the housing, and you might have an axel that will hold up. Did anybody add all that up? $2500? $3000? Now what would it cost to put in a D44, or an 8.8? I think it works out to less money for an axel that you would have a hard time breaking to just replace it with one of the above listed. There are a lot of varabiles though. I have a D35 in mine. I haven't hurt it in two years. So far and it has 100k mi. on it. In the seventys I broke a D44. I was a lot younger, and crazyer (is that a word?) back then. So,,,, spend just what it takes to protect the Jeep from your right foot.:aagh:

[sunroom2004]

A year ago I was in the same boat. I found out that most people will recommend the D44 or bigger rear end. It's definitely the stronger option compared to building a Super 35.

However, I decided to polish my little d35 :pile: because I found a lot of people have been wheeling their Super 35 kits hard for years without issues...even a few in this forum.

For me the lower initial cost was worth the risk for going with the weaker Super35 kit. If it ever explodes, then I can accept that with no regrets.

Actually, now that I've been wheeling the 3.0 to 4.0 trails for a year I realize that I probably would have regretted putting in a d44. I would prefer to skip up to d60's! :D

Just my $0.02!

[fatbob309]

Look around for a used 44. I found one with locker and 4:88's for less than a grand.

[Fire Ball]

The only money I would/do spend on a D35 is for spare parts :D

You can get a good axle for the price of a weaker upgrade to the D35.

[lancetkenyon]

Do not waste your money, the c-clip axles will still break. Get a D44 or Ford 8.8.

[Varkyl]

Do not waste your money, the c-clip axles will still break. Get a D44 or Ford 8.8.


x394

Back when I had fourwheelers rebuild my d35 I wish I would have known about the 8.8 swap. And now that I am thinking about a roll reversal for my ZJ I wish there was an open carrier that would use the 30 spline axles of the Super35 kit.

[AZXJ]

Do not waste your money, the c-clip axles will still break. Get a D44 or Ford 8.8.

8.8 is C-clip

[xjstocker]

but it is at least captured by the brake rotor and caliper. and stronger than the 35

[Varkyl]

8.8 is C-clip

But it is cheaper to install the c-clip eliminator than it is to build a Super35.

[lancetkenyon]

Won't "walk out" on you if it breaks, like a D35 always does. And it is stronger too.

[Varkyl]

but it is at least captured by the brake rotor and caliper. and stronger than the 35

unless you have rear disc on your 35. I guess most jeeper's don't think about the Grands.

[AZXJ]

but it is at least captured by the brake rotor and caliper. and stronger than the 35

But it is cheaper to install the c-clip eliminator than it is to build a Super35.

Won't "walk out" on you if it breaks, like a D35 always does. And it is stronger too.

All true statements! Except when ?

Dave

[lancetkenyon]

All true statements! Except when ?

Dave

When you have a D44. Or you do a disc conv on a D35. Or you don't wheel. And don't start with that trail tool roller thingy!

[AZXJ]

All though Off road trail tools device is handy for those that need it. I'm still offering the challenge of Except when ?

Dave

[Varkyl]

When you have a D44. Or you do a disc conv on a D35. Or you don't wheel. And don't start with that trail tool roller thingy!

you mean the broomstick with the PVC pipe over it?

[lancetkenyon]

Except when.......You get one for free.........or you are EXPECTING it to break.....

[Varkyl]

if it was just the first and third I would say when the axle breaks out by the flange.
But since my statement is in there I have no clue.

[AZXJ]

Except for drum equipped 8.8's.. they slide right out just like the D35's.. :D



Dave

[Varkyl]

Except for drum equipped 8.8's.. they slide right out just like the D35's.. :D



Dave

but why would you get one of those? :confused:

[xjstocker]

you dont use a explorer axle

[xjstocker]

why use a drum 8.8 that would mean using a 28 spline axle insted of the 31 spline. and ranger axles suck anyway. and if going f150 full with just use a 9".

[AZXJ]

Some people do.. because they are cheaper.. and sometimes the new builder is inexperienced on what exactly they should have gotten.. Now if they read this thread they will learn..

97+ Ford Explorer 8.8's are the ones to get.. :D
96 and older aren't!!!!!

Dave