Buying a used Dana 35, what to look for?

[GregBelleville]

I've been on the hunt for a used Dana 35 out of a 4 cylinder TJ that has the factory 410 gearing, and I found one for a good deal. Plan is to swap it into my TJ as a cheap alternative to regearing my current axles, and eventually upgrade it to a super 35.

Is there any advice from those who've bought axles used as far as what to look for? For example, I remember watching one of @hosejockey61 videos for a Dana 44 swap and I believe it was mentioned that the axle is worthless without the parking brake cable? Is that only applicable if you're swapping a 44 into a TJ that had a 35 in it?

If I'm just wanting to swap a 35 for another 35, do I really just need to be concerned with the condition of the axle itself, that it doesn't appear bent, or that the gears are in decent shape?

Here's a pic:

 

[hosejockey61]

If you're swapping 35 for 35 then your good.

As far as parking brake cables, it's not that the axle is worthless at all. You just want to make sure you have the correct parking brake cables whether it's drum or disc that's all.

If that axle has 4:10 then you'll need to re-gear your front to match. You cannot use 4x4 until you do or stuff will break.

 

[GregBelleville]

If you're swapping 35 for 35 then your good.

As far as parking brake cables, it's not that the axle is worthless at all. You just want to make sure you have the correct parking brake cables whether it's drum or disc that's all.

If that axle has 4:10 then you'll need to re-gear your front to match. You cannot use 4x4 until you do or stuff will break.

Thanks Mike, I'll be on the hunt for a Dana 30 with 410s as well, I just happened to find this 35 first.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I bought a set of 4.10 geared axles for my old 98' with 3.07s ($300). I pulled the covers to make sure everything looked normal in there.

 

[GregBelleville]

I bought a set of 4.10 geared axles for my old 98' with 3.07s ($300). I pulled the covers to make sure everything looked normal in there.

I was thinking I'd do the same just to make sure the gears don't look chewed up already.

 

[BlueC]

I would pull the cover and give the gears a visual, roll it around and check the carrier and pinion bearings, and I'd be concerned with pinion play and seal. If those check out, roll with it. I wouldn't worry about wheel bearings/seals or spider gears, as those are easy to replace.

 

[GregBelleville]

I would pull the cover and give the gears a visual, roll it around and check the carrier and pinion bearings, and I'd be concerned with pinion play and seal. If those check out, roll with it. I wouldn't worry about wheel bearings/seals or spider gears, as those are easy to replace.

Will do, I'm heading out now, for $50, I'm pretty much willing to roll the dice on this thing

 

[BlueC]

Will do, I'm heading out now, for $50, I'm pretty much willing to roll the dice on this thing

For $50 you can't lose. Worse case, you have a few spare parts and scrap metal.

 

[Rickyd]

Verify that it actually has 4.10 gears!

When you turn the pinion the bearings shouldn't rumble or feel gritty.

oh and try not to get one with this feature!

 

[GregBelleville]

Got the axle home and degreased it, pulled the cover and sure enough it's got 411s.

To my untrained eye the gears seem to be in decent shape.

Video of me spinning the gears!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CZGjrYS7AZq2qC3c6

 

[Rickyd]

Nice! It won't be a freeway cruiser anymore but it will feel nice and peppy. Your transmission will thank you in the sand too

 

[Rickyd]

This guy is a crook but here's a Dana 30
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2481188412268582/?mibextid=dXMIcH

 

[GregBelleville]

Nice! It won't be a freeway cruiser anymore but it will feel nice and peppy. Your transmission will thank you in the sand too

Yeah with the 32rh and 33s I'm guessing I'll be around 3200 to 3300 rpm at 65. With the 3.73s right now if I hit even the slightest uphill grade it falls on it's face and struggles to hold 50.

 

[Rickyd]

Yeah with the 32rh and 33s I'm guessing I'll be around 3200 to 3300 rpm at 65. With the 3.73s right now if I hit even the slightest uphill grade it falls on it's face and struggles to hold 50.

Ah,sorry Greg, I was thinking you had 3.07s. The 98 i gave to my pop with 3.73/31's cruises fine at 55. Is it really going to be over 3000 rpm at 65? I don't remember that with the 98.

 

[GregBelleville]

Ah,sorry Greg, I was thinking you had 3.07s. The 98 i gave to my pop with 3.73/31's cruises fine at 55. Is it really going to be over 3000 rpm at 65? I don't remember that with the 98.

I'd say I'm right around 2800 or 2900 right now at 65.

Mine with 410s should probably drive about like your dad's 98 if it was on 31s I would think.

 

[BlueC]

With the 3.73s right now if I hit even the slightest uphill grade it falls on it's face and struggles to hold 50.

Are you sure you don't have other issue?

 

[mrblaine]

This guy is a crook but here's a Dana 30
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2481188412268582/?mibextid=dXMIcH

If I am meandering through the for sale section on the various places he posts crap up for sale and see something that is retail plus 50%, I don't even have to look at who is selling it, it is always him. He used to post up a lot more in the different groups when someone would ask where to get something, every time there were so many folks giving him crap for his outrageous prices that he has pretty much stopped.

 

[mrblaine]

Ah,sorry Greg, I was thinking you had 3.07s. The 98 i gave to my pop with 3.73/31's cruises fine at 55. Is it really going to be over 3000 rpm at 65? I don't remember that with the 98.

Probably not. New gear ratio on the left, current gear ratio on the right. The new ratio is very close to the stock relationship which can be generally counted as 68 mph at 3000 RPM.

 

[GregBelleville]

Probably not. New gear ratio on the left, current gear ratio on the right. The new ratio is very close to the stock relationship which can be generally counted as 68 mph at 3000 RPM.
View attachment 561748

I'm guessing my current tires measure as 32s at this point which might explain why I'm seeing higher rpms than that around 70.

 

[GregBelleville]

Are you sure you don't have other issue?

I don't think so, I might be exaggerating a bit, but the under gearing is most noticeable if I hit a moderate uphill grade while I'm driving around 50 to 60, when this happens, she can't hold that speed and I either need to just hold the foot down to maintain 45 until I crest the hill or shift into 2 to raise the rpms.

Where I live in socal, this generally happens when driving into the local mountains as you start to head up the hill.