- Location
- Roanoke VA
Its no secret that I like the 8.25 and run them in all of my XJ's. I have seen many posts on here about the differences between the 2 versions of the axle's. I also see many threads about converting a 27 to a 29 and why the 29 spline is stronger.
Today I had both versions in the garage tore down at the same time, the 29 spline was being stripped of its axles to be used as trail spares in my trail rig and the 27 was getting rebuilt for a install in my DD 90'.
The pics are not great but they do show the difference and will tell the tale as to why a 27 spline axle can not be upgraded with out replacing the carrier. Its much simpler to just purchase another 29 spline complete axle. The housings are identical otherwise.
The side gears are the reason the carrier has to be replaced, a 29 spline side gear will not fit into the 27 spline carrier.
The strenght difference is in the shafts themselves, the 29 spline shafts are a considreable amount larger in diameter.
Today I had both versions in the garage tore down at the same time, the 29 spline was being stripped of its axles to be used as trail spares in my trail rig and the 27 was getting rebuilt for a install in my DD 90'.
The pics are not great but they do show the difference and will tell the tale as to why a 27 spline axle can not be upgraded with out replacing the carrier. Its much simpler to just purchase another 29 spline complete axle. The housings are identical otherwise.
The side gears are the reason the carrier has to be replaced, a 29 spline side gear will not fit into the 27 spline carrier.
The strenght difference is in the shafts themselves, the 29 spline shafts are a considreable amount larger in diameter.