tire on a d35??

[jb98xj]

On my 89 that will mostly be a trail rig I'm wondering what tires I should go with. I am going with a RE 4.5" lift with 3/4" coil spacers in the front. It has a d35, ( I think non c-clip ). I have a brand new set of trxus m/t's in my shed. The thing is that I trimmed the fenders a little, so I think I can go bigger. I am planning on a d 44, or chrysler 8.25, but probably not this summer. I saw someone on the JU board that was running the 34" Super Swamper LTB's with a d 35!!! Can I realistically run anything bigger than a 31" on a d35 with an open rear???? Please advise!!!!!!!!

[jb98xj]

Nobody wants to tell how crappy/alright their dana 35 is??

[Kejtar]

I think 32's or 33's would be fine, but you might want to start carrying some spare parts :)

[gearwhine]

some people just get lucky with 33's and up on a d35, or they are really light on the pedal. I've been out with people running 33's(TSL) and 32's (BFG MT) who are not that easy on the pedal, and have yet to see them break stuff. With a 34x9.5....just take it easy and I think you'll be fine until the swap with a few spare parts, unless you are one of those unlucky people that have to break every time they go out. knock on wood. _nicko_

[jb98xj]

I am planning on getting a least one spare set of shafts with me. I'm hoping to have it ready to go by NACfest, we'll see! Thanks for the input.

[XJoachim]

You're a lucky guy because you have no c-clips in that d35. I had 35x12.5s on it WITH a full locker and had no problems for the 2 years i had them. I was really hard on the pedal and could not break it. All the bad words on the d35 are about the newer c-clip models. The older non-c-clip is a really strong axle.

Go for it :D :D

[Jes]

Originally posted by XJoachim
The older non-c-clip is a really strong axle.



Surely you jest? :confused:

Jes

[jb98xj]

I think mine is a non c-clip. How can I tell for sure without pulling the cover??

[Beezil]

89 *should* be non-c-clip.....

[Georgia Mike]

It doesn't matter if it's a c-clip unit or not. They both still have the weak-noodle spider gears,housing and axle tubes. If you're gonna be running a lot of rocky trails with 4++ difficulty ratings,be EASY on it. If you're gonna be running on loosely packed dirt or mud,you should be fine for the time being. Just expect the worst,but hope for the best :D

P.S.-I saw a guy strip the spiders out in a D-35 on a muddy trail once(running on 31-10.50's). OTOH,Roxjeeper's been running 31's on his D-35 since I've known him and to my knowledge he hasn't broken anything in his yet,plus he's not been exactly "easy" on his,either :laugh: So,there's not a dead-set limit on tire size. It's like it was stated earlier,some folks are lucky,and some aren't.

[XJoachim]

I think it is more of a "You have to know when your right foot doesn't get you through that obstacle" thing. Those people break 44s with 31 tires. :cool: :D

[jb98xj]

Probably the toughest thing I would be running would be a Paragon Blue 2 or 3. I don't really know how that stacks up, I haven't really been anywhere else yet. I will be switching to a 44, or an 8.25, hopefully by this winter at the latest. Thanks for all of the input, I'm a little less skeptical about them now.

[ChuckD]

I don't know about the spiders, but my Non c-clip with 4.10 and a lockrite, and 33" MTR's has treated me quite well, no breaky. I would skip the 8.25, unless you get one for free. Stick with the D44 or an 8.8. I guess i'm one of those lucky ones too, but I also have about 3 sets of spare axles for the D35. I have a D44 waiting for me to, but won't get to it until the winter also.

I guess I'm easy on the skinny pedal, remember to crawl like a turtle. HTH :)

[Georgia Mike]

Originally posted by XJCHUCK72
I would skip the 8.25, unless you get one for free. Stick with the D44 or an 8.8.



:eek: WHAT??? The 8.25" is a great axle!! Maybe not quite in the 44's ballpark,but still at LEAST twice as strong as a Dana 35 by design/build quality alone!! I've wheeled the crap outta mine(not EASY wheelin',either),welded with 33" Swampers and no breakage yet. And this is the "lowly 27 spline" version at that!:D The only drawback I've seen is the low hanging pinion. But another advantage is you can shave the bottom of the housing around 3/4"-1" and have the same clearance as a 35,with twice the strength.

[ChuckD]

Well like I said skip it unless you get it for free. A 29 Spline isn't worth 300-400 $$$. Wich most yards will have you pay becuase it's a new axle. For close to that same price you can get yourself a D44 or an 8.8. Bang for the Buck 8.8 wins hands down, even if it is the most expensive of all of them.

8.8, 31 splines, disc brakes, huge tubes

[BigNutt]

Originally posted by XJCHUCK72
Well like I said skip it unless you get it for free. A 29 Spline isn't worth 300-400 $$$. Wich most yards will have you pay becuase it's a new axle. For close to that same price you can get yourself a D44 or an 8.8. Bang for the Buck 8.8 wins hands down, even if it is the most expensive of all of them.


But, if you think like that then:

I can get many different rear d60s for $150. I also had a front Chevy d60 for $300. Its not always whats the cheapest or bang for your buck, especially if he wants a bolt in.

[ChuckD]

Well then the XJ D44 is the most bolt in as they get. I know you can find then for around $100. You have to search for them, but they are out there.

Do the D60's require shortening and also new wheels, Master cylinders, Boosters, and all the stuff that would go into an 8.8 conversion. I know most are afraid of any kind of fabrication, but NAXJA is a big help, local Wheelers are a big help. Most of the welding is minimal, the rest is bolt on anyway with the 8.8. If I wasn't getting my D44 for nothing, I would be doing an 8.8.

[cagedxj]

I ran 34's on my open D35 for awhile. It wasnt until I put a locker in it that I began having problems. With the open dif you shouldnt have problems unless you deserve them...( very hard on the skinny pedal) A D44 is in mine now but the old D35 with a detroit is still running in another Xj with 33"s now.

[jimmy forbes]

33's is all would go, my friends 35 died about 2 months after he went to 35's. i plan on a dana 44 before i get 35's

[Eagle]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but a 1989 D35 probably IS a c-clip axle. And shaft or gear breakage isn't the biggest problem with the D35, it's the fact that the tubes and where they fit into the diff housing are on the weak-ish side, and the entire assembly gets bent if you get too enthusiastic.

Eric Thomas has been running 33's on a D35 for years, apparently with no problems. Thinking back over many years of posts, I'd say the consensus is that the D35 is good for up to 32s, and beyond that you're kind of taking your chances.

[jb98xj]

Well, I've been thinking about it, and I think for now, I going to run 31" trxus M/T's. Is there a way I can tell if I have c clips or not w/o pulling the cover?? I would like to check out the local yards for some spare shafts, and I need to know what to look for.

[ChuckD]

I believe the Non-clips have an acess hole on the Shaft hub. The C-clip one do not have this hole.

I can't say for sure, I have only really looked at no C-clips. BTW if you find 84-86 D35's the shafts are different but work, Actually the look beefier, the splines are the same.

Eagle is right the big problem with the D35 over other axles is the tube strength. Weld the tubes to the axles or add a truss.

[Georgia Mike]

If it's a c-clip model it will clearly say "35 C" on the center section. And FWIW-I bought an 8.8" w/discs,blah,blah,blah from an Explorer for $150. After a while,I realized the 8.25" I currently have was a whole lot more stout than I'd been lead to believe. I sold it for $350 and bought a new shop compressor with the money and never looked back! :D

[CheapXJ]

the non c-clip ones say "35 C" too ;)
(the c is for custom, not c-clip)

take a good look at the bolt pattern of the axle flange.

on the c-clip ones, the bottom bolts will be slightly farther away from each other. the non c-clip axles will have the bolts equally spaced top and bottom.

I don't know if this is 100% accurate, but every c-clip one i've seen has smooth drums, while every non c-clip one i've seen has finned drums.

[XJoachim]

The 89 model year definitely has the non c-clip axle, it was the last year of this type.

I really was not easy on the pedal with my D35 running 35s for 2 years (with a no slip locker) and now had about 5 events running with 38.5s and a detroit (with 30 spline chromoly axles). With 4.56 gears i was not able to break a shaft or bend an axle tube.

I have no axle truss and and also run a nearly stock D30 with a detroit in front and i can't stand the bashing of the D35. The c-clip axle is weak, true, but for the non-c-clip i can say that it holds up well.

[ChuckD]

Originally posted by Georgia Mike
If it's a c-clip model it will clearly say "35 C" on the center section. And FWIW-I bought an 8.8" w/discs,blah,blah,blah from an Explorer for $150. After a while,I realized the 8.25" I currently have was a whole lot more stout than I'd been lead to believe. I sold it for $350 and bought a new shop compressor with the money and never looked back! :D

I guess on your side of the country they do things diferently. :D I'll leave it at that.

[Georgia Mike]

Originally posted by XJCHUCK72
I guess on your side of the country they do things diferently. :D I'll leave it at that.
That's probably a good idea.;)

[Goatman]

Originally posted by jb98xj
Well, I've been thinking about it, and I think for now, I going to run 31" trxus M/T's. Is there a way I can tell if I have c clips or not w/o pulling the cover?? I would like to check out the local yards for some spare shafts, and I need to know what to look for.

You can see if it's non c-clip by removing the tires and brake drums, and looking behind the axle flange for the axle retaining plate. It's a nearly square plate with four bolts in it that holds the axle in on a non-c-clip axle. The retaining plate isn't there on a c-clip axle because the c-clip holds the axle in.

These guys can say what they want about D35 axles. Some have good luck and many don't. Again, it depends on where you wheel. If it's in mud and dirt you have a better chance. If it's in any kind of rocks, you odds are much higher of breaking something. I've seen a non c-clip axle break on a 4 cyl XJ with 32's. I've seen a welded D35 break an axle on the street. I've seen numerous D35 spider gears break on rigs with 31's. I've seen so many D35's break in so many situations with so many variations of equipment that I have only one conclusion......the D35 is JUNK, even if you do get lucky for awhile. I bet I've seen over 30 D35's break....axles, r&p's, spider gears, and lockers.