Collector grade Jeep Wrangler TJs for sale

Thoughts on going to 35"s

Adam mendel

Adam mendel

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Austin, TX, United States
Ok guys, Im sure this is a pretty common thread, But Im going to post anyways. I recently went wheeling this weekend and I got bit by the offroad bug... I had a blast!!! Im currently running 33 inch all terrain tires with a 3 1/2in lift. On the trail, I bottomed out several times and after seeing some other Jeeps... I decided 35 in tires might be a good idea. In my research Im seeing all that is entailed with this move... ie Regearing and axle upgrade. I currently have Dana 30 front and 35 rear with 3.73 gears.
My question is is it really worth it? Can I get away with having a Dana 35 super kit. And would anybody have done anything different? I would like to keep the cost around $2k not including tires....
Any advice? Also would I be better off on spending the money on making a sturdier ride (new suspension etc) than going higher?
I know this is all subjective but I would like to know your thoughts. All the best to yall!

Jeep.webp
 
My 2 cents. If you think you may add lockers in the future, I would skip the Dana 35 super kit and upgrade your rear axle. That way you don't have to do it later and flush the super kit money.
 
I'm glad you asked this! We were just having this discussion last week about whether it was worth it or not to upgrade a Dana 35 axle, or swap it out for a Dana 44.

Check this thread out: Should I upgrade my Dana 35 axle?

The general consensus seems to be that if Blaine and those guys are running built Dana 35 axles in Johnson Valley without any issue, I wouldn't hesitate to do it.

Also, check out this thread as well: So you want to run 35" tires on your TJ?

That should give you an idea of what you need. If you want to do it properly you're going to likely end up spending well over $2000.

That's not to say it can't be done using shitty components (i.e. a Rough Country or Skyjacker lift), but the cost of money you'd spend upgrading the axles alone (in order to be able to handle 35" tires) will far exceed $2000.
 
You're going to want 5 inches of lift, better steering linkage (Ahem Currie), a regear and locker (to accommodate the 30 spline axles of the Super 35), a good spare tire carrier, and brakes (Vanco comes to mind as the best option).I may have forgot something.

Properly running 35" tires is no joke.
 
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No, you absolutely cannot get away with 35's on a Dana 35 axle with the stock factory shafts. Once lockers or 35" tires are added they like to break axle shafts like you can see at http://www.billhughes.com/dana35c/

Yes absolutely you could run 35's entirely reliably with a Super 35 kit which actually makes it stronger than the TJ's factory Dana 44 where it counts. If you could find a Dana 44 out of a TJ that would be an easier way to go but Dana 44 axles out of a TJ are scarce and because they are so rare, are often way overpriced when the seller knows what he has.

Other upgrades like 8.8 axles are neither easy nor cheap. I personally would rather have a Dana 35 with a Super 35 kit installed than an 8.8.

You'll need to regear for 35's, it's just not worth installing them with the stock axle gearing... you lose too much power.

And as mentioned above, you'll also need to upgrade things like your steering (especially!) and your brakes. 35" tires are the size where the factory brakes are overmatched by the larger tire's increase leverage against the factory brakes.
 
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BTW, the generally accepted lift height for 35" tires is 5". That usually ends up being 4" of suspension lift and 1" of body lift.

Anything less than that can be done, but you'll need different fenders (i.e. Metalcloak) in order to clear the fenders.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
No, you absolutely cannot get away with 35's on a Dana 35 axle with the stock factory shafts. Once lockers or 35" tires are added they like to break axle shafts like you can see at http://www.billhughes.com/dana35c/

Yes absolutely you could run 35's entirely reliably with a Super 35 kit which actually makes it stronger than the TJ's factory Dana 44 where it counts. If you could find a Dana 44 out of a TJ that would be an easier way to go but Dana 44 axles out of a TJ are scarce and because they are so rare, are often way overpriced when the seller knows what he has.

Other upgrades like 8.8 axles are neither easy nor cheap. I personally would rather have a Dana 35 with a Super 35 kit installed than an 8.8.

You'll need to regear for 35's, it's just not worth installing them with the stock axle gearing... you lose too much power.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I was also considering just sticking with 33s and upgrading to make a more capable and sturdy ride. I seemed to keep up with the big boys on the trails, but there are limitations...
 
Adam mendel said:
Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I was also considering just sticking with 33s and upgrading to make a more capable and sturdy ride. I seemed to keep up with the big boys on the trails, but there are limitations...
Click to expand...
33's set up right will get you into and out of more than you would think. Gears, Dana 35 Super kit and lockers.
 
Also, the more you wheel and get use to taking the best line on an obstacle for your rig the less you will bottom out. Just because the rig in front of you took the line doesn't always mean it is the best one for you.
 
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JP98 said:
Also, the more you wheel and get use to taking the best line on an obstacle for your rig the less you will bottom out. Just because the rig in front of you took the line doesn't always mean it is the best one for you.
Click to expand...
So true, I watch the line the Jeep in front of me takes like a hawk. If it works, I take that line. If it doesn't and he has trouble, I know to choose a different line.
 
JP98 said:
Also, the more you wheel and get use to taking the best line on an obstacle for your rig the less you will bottom out. Just because the rig in front of you took the line doesn't always mean it is the best one for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks JP. I am still learning, and having a blast doing so.
 
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Always go with someone with more experience and let them go first. See if any of your friends have 4.56 or 4.88 gears and see if they will let you drive them and feel what gears can do for you.
 

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