Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: S-FLY on January 05, 2009, 10:58:32 PM

Title: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: S-FLY on January 05, 2009, 10:58:32 PM
Pardon my newbness, but I'm not sure which rear end I have in my XJ.  I want to buy a lift for it and it's asking me which rear end I have, but I'm not sure... nor am I sure how to find out.   It's a 1994 XJ without ABS, and according to wikipedia, it could be a Dana 35 or a Chrysler 8.25".  Is there a way for my to get under there and find out what it is without taking anything apart?
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: XJHERO on January 05, 2009, 11:04:00 PM
Bottom half of the 8.25 houseing will look like bottom of a stop sign..ish with big axle tubes.   
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: Immortal on January 05, 2009, 11:09:11 PM
Does the help any?

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg260/babaimmortal/CJA%20Stuff/diffguardtype.jpg)

8.25" is bloody big, has plastic fill plug.
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: XJHERO on January 05, 2009, 11:12:04 PM
Does the help any?

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg260/babaimmortal/CJA%20Stuff/diffguardtype.jpg)

8.25" is bloody big, has plastic fill plug.
Later dana 35s also have a plastic(rubber) fill plug like mine ::)
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: S-FLY on January 07, 2009, 01:50:29 PM
This is odd, from what I can tell it looks like a dana 44, but according to wikipedia it shouldn't be in a '94 auto.  I'll have to really get under there and take a picture later to confirm.
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: JackstandJohnny on January 07, 2009, 02:44:22 PM
stolen of NAXJA


Rear Axles:

The XJ came from the factory with one of 3 rear axles -


Dana 35:
The Dana 35 came on most Cherokees, and was the only rear axle to be offered with ABS. This is identified by its oval shaped differential cover and rubber fill plug cover. The numbers "35c" often appear around the gusset on the center section. The "C" refers to custom - because Chrysler finished the axle in house. There were 2 main variations on this axle - the older style was a non-c-clip rear end and the newer style has c-clips. There were factory limited slip carriers offered for this axle.

Chrysler 8.25:
This axle came in non-ABS equipped Cherokees starting in 1988. It is identified by its flat bottomed casting on the center section. This is a c-clip rear end with 2 major variations:
1988 - 1995
These units were equipped with 27 spline axle shafts and about the same strength as the Dana 35. The only advantage is the housing is stronger.
1995 - 2001
These units are 29 spline equipped and are considerably stronger than a Dana 35 rear end.

Dana 44:
This is the rare bird XJ rear end that everyone wants - It is found in 1987 Cherokees for sure, and rumored to appear in 1988 and 89 models as well.
It is identified by its hexagon cover, non-flat bottom, and metal fill plug bolt.
This axle does not have c-clips. This axle uses the much stronger 30 spline shafts.


if you have a D 44 it may have been swapped in at sometime over your cherokees life........
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: BlackYJ on January 07, 2009, 03:48:41 PM
This is odd, from what I can tell it looks like a dana 44, but according to wikipedia it shouldn't be in a '94 auto.  I'll have to really get under there and take a picture later to confirm.

Take a picture of it and posted up, then we will be able to tell very quickly for you which diff it is
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: S-FLY on January 07, 2009, 04:07:20 PM
Sounds good, I'll take a picture and post it up when I get home.  :)
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: dubbleJs on January 07, 2009, 04:58:06 PM
Here is a pic of the D35 thats in my '91 Stan, look at the top right it says 35C...if you can crawl under there enough take a look for that.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/Hondaddict/ChiefDiff.jpg)

ps- give me a shout about that rear hatch if you want it
 :)
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: S-FLY on January 07, 2009, 06:55:40 PM
Upon closer inspection, it looks like a Chrysler 8.25.  What do you guys think?

(http://www.reality-check.ca/picture.php?albumid=14&pictureid=2046)
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: Gearhead on January 07, 2009, 07:36:33 PM
The 35C   ,which shows out above and to the right of the cover , identifies it as a Dana 35 .
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: jeeper on January 22, 2009, 09:15:26 AM
call the dealer with your vin# thats what i did and the had no problem looking it up
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: adamnigh on January 22, 2009, 02:20:39 PM
its a c clip dana 35
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: dubbleJs on January 22, 2009, 03:58:24 PM
The 35C   ,which shows out above and to the right of the cover , identifies it as a Dana 35 .
Thats a pic of my diff, not his
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: adamnigh on January 23, 2009, 01:38:14 AM
hahah oops
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: jandh on April 14, 2009, 04:45:08 PM
another noobie question, is there a "Better" diff out of those 4?
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: Immortal on April 14, 2009, 04:53:21 PM
D44, or the C8.25.... some say the 8.25 is 9/10th the way to a D44.
D35 is pewpy. Still will work, just have to know when not to use the skinny pedal.
Title: Re: How to tell which rear end?
Post by: jandh on April 15, 2009, 03:33:52 PM
D44, or the C8.25.... some say the 8.25 is 9/10th the way to a D44.
D35 is pewpy. Still will work, just have to know when not to use the skinny pedal.


Awsome - thanx, I guess I have to learn when not to use the skinny pedal, :-\