Axle kit or swap?

[Sean Southern]

Ok I've been wheeling for 15 years and I have never broke an axle or done any damage to one, well there was one time I ran over a fence :oops: But anyway, has anyone installed a superior 35 axle kit? How do you like it? the usual questions.
I thought about swapping a Ford 8.8 or a D44J into my TJ but here lately I think all the junk yards are starting to read the Jeep mags and realize what a gold mine their sitting on because it seems prices have shot up 100% :x
Any input is welcome.
Thanks and keep it painted side up.

[BoroJEEPer]

If get the Superior 35 kit, the also make an axle truss. Altho I don't think they have one that fits with the OX locker. The truss should help keep the axle tubes and center section from bending, which is the problem I had on my '98 TJ. Something bent, which misaligned the teeth on the Detroit and chipped all the teeth. :USA:

[tj2kbob]

I have the Super35 Detroit, got it, LOVE it..I have had "issues" with D35 axles mainly due to my own stupidity..so I went to DTD and checked out the Super35...I run 33's now and I will be going to 36's in a week or two and I am not even worried. Also the Detroit is the soft locker which is has much better street manners..would I do it again...YES I WOULD..

[TJMagoo]

I was just talking to someone about this same issue. I am starting to think about putting a Dana 44 to replace my stock 35. A buddy of mine had a friend who busted his axle shaft in a TJ with a 4 cyl that was locked so he suggested that I not lock my 4 cyl unless I upgrade my axle. What do you guys think? I have a 97 TJ 2.5L (yeah don't make fun of the 4 cylinder :no: )

[Blupupher]

Well, from everything I have read, I personally feel that when I spend lots of money on a rear axle fix (yes, I have the D35), for the price of the Super 35, I should be able to find a D44 for a little more and go that way.
I have thought about maybe an 8.8 swap, I have access to a welder and equipment to do it, but not sure about the cost of the entire set-up for that. Axle, SYE, new spring perches, brake line stuff.
I know a scrapped 44 will not be real cheap, especially since I would be having to add a locker and possibly re-gear, but not as much fab work as a 8.8, although the disk brakes on the 8.8 would be nice.
With the Super 35, I like the 5 year warranty on the axles, and the price includes the locker. It also requires no other changes in your drive-line.
So in conclusion, I have no I dea what I will be doing. But I still Have a few years to make up my mind. No major mods like that till the Jeep is paid for (in 4 years).

[tj2kbob]

Well maybe some of you are lucky enough to find D44's for a good price, BUT where I live the bone yards either sell them at a god-awful price or they sell then to Currie...The best price I could find was $1350..also it had 3.73 gears I think.. so I got the Super35 for $879 and no matter how I did it I would still have to upgrade the gears..plus the Super35 kit has a five yr warr and speaking with the folks at DTD they told me they only have had 1 breakage. And that was during an ARCA event...I guess it really depends on what you intend to do with the Jeep..

[jp4whlr95]

super 35 is the way to go...
i put mine in last summer and have not had any problems...
i also have a four cylinder ... you wouldnt think youd break
axles with that gutless pig, but I broke 4 before I decided to
switch.... it is the best bang for the buck... the axle shafts
are just as strong as 44 shafts..but the housing then becomes
the weak point... truss then your done.... good luck

[LeadFoot]

I was just talking to someone about this same issue. I am starting to think about putting a Dana 44 to replace my stock 35. A buddy of mine had a friend who busted his axle shaft in a TJ with a 4 cyl that was locked so he suggested that I not lock my 4 cyl unless I upgrade my axle. What do you guys think? I have a 97 TJ 2.5L (yeah don't make fun of the 4 cylinder :no: )

I think a D44 from a TJ would do you good. It'll already be set up for coils, and you can probably find some at the junkyard. The only thing bad about the S35 is that even though you upgrade your shafts, the stock u-joints are still in there.

[deadpedal]

The only thing that you would get from a Currie upgrade is the axlehousing and full-length truss. You can weld up a truss yourself and weld cut-to-fit plates over your diff cover. The biggest thing with your axles is the fact that 35 axles are notoriously weak. You can offset this by strengthening your axlehousing. Reduce stress and flex in your axles by reducing stress and flex in your housing. Try some Yukon axles from Randy's Ring and Pinion. They are made from cold-inducted steel with a high concentration of molybdenum. This makes the core of the axle softer than the outside, which is very stiff. This allows the axle to flex while still delivering large amounts of torque without breaking.