1988 XJ Dana 35 Question

2000F150SAS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Location
Fuquay-Varina, NC
We have a Dana 35 with a posi and 144k miles, how strong is this rear for off road use? I was told the Dana 35 with a posi will snap akles.

Thanks
 
wheel it till it brakes... I had a super 35 kit, detriot locker and 36 TSLs and I was not easy on them. The only thing I broke was the Ring gear...
 
well

well its a dana 35 so a 35" tire is pushing it, and it will not hold up to to much of the skinny pedal. The one thing you have going for you is that 1988 dana 35's were non C-clip axles.

..but i did have a c-clip dana 35 in my xj with 6" lift and 34" TSL's and never broke anything...lucky i guess
 
So 31" tires (current) and 33" tires (future) will be ok?

Thanks

No c-clips, so i guess the bearings are pressed on the axles and the axle/bearing is bolted to the axle tube end like a Ford 9".
 
Just my experiences but I still run a welded D35 in the rear of my XJ on stock shafts with 33" Boggers and I am not easy on it and I don't hesitate to lay into the skinny pedal. I have broken one shaft in almost a years time. You didn't state if it was going to be street driven but I wouldn't suggest welding it for street use. As for off road only I would rather have a welded or spooled rear instead of a locker just due to the fact that it is 100% predictable. You always know that both tires are going to turn. Also being welded or having a spool eliminates alot of shock load. With a locker you get it loading and unloading and when that happens it is really easy to break a shaft. I have personally seen more broken D35 shafts from people running lockers rather than a spool or welded. Just my .02.

Btw mine is a 1990 with c-clip axles.
 
if you want to carry a set of spare axle shafts, i've got a set of 35 shafts (non c clip) if you want some. pm me if interested.

I've seen guys run 33's with no problems, but also have known guys to run smaller and broke...guess it just depends on luck and if you don't get it in a bind.
 
The XJ is a street truck and a weekend trail truck so we don't want a spool or weld it, we just need to take it easy.

Thanks for eveyone's help.
 
F1504x2 said:
So 31" tires (current) and 33" tires (future) will be ok?
Thanks
No c-clips, so i guess the bearings are pressed on the axles and the axle/bearing is bolted to the axle tube end like a Ford 9".
Click to expand...

Yea the 35 in your 88 is kinda like the ford 9" there is a 4 bolt plate that holds it in place. As for the comments on strength, I broke my 35 3 times behind a 4 popper in less then 2 years of wheeling only. I was locked with a lock right though. One time I broke a shaft and twice I spun the tubes in the housing. I watched a friend toast a ring and pinion with 31's in his front yard. He mashed it leaving his house and one tire cought a patch of grass. Man that was funny. He sheared 3 teeth off the ring gear. He was open with the 4.0L though. Take ti for what its worth. SOme people have no trouble and some trash em by just looking at them.
 
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