Hi, I've been a lurker since I got this Tj a while back... Love the thing, it's been a daily driver and a lot of fun as well.
Still completely stock, 250K miles, 4.0, manual and a Dana 35 rear 3.73 ratio. Stock tires. Well, I was horsing around the other day and blew up the rear end.
Pretty sure the spider gears scattered. One of the rear axles will now completely slide out the end of the axle tube lol, the C-clip is gone. Rear end popped, then locked up, then went completely open after rocking back and forth. Oh, and I did drive it like that (on the front axle) for like 10 miles.
I'm not excited about the idea of rebuilding the 35 rear end. Pretty sure it's a mess inside. A stock 44 rear with same ratio can be had for about $1500 from a junkyard that looks decent. Not cheap, but convenient. And I'm not looking to re-gear or go bigger tires right now.
I considered getting a JK or JL axle, welding the brackets on and switching to JK/JL wheels, but not cheaper, and is more work... Thought about a Ford 8.8, thought about a 60, really want to go full float, etc. But I do miss driving the jeep, and don't want to turn this into a huge project. Whatcha guys think, should I just stick the junkyard 44 in it and go, or get silly with it?
Also, I'm shocked at how wimpy the wheel bearing design is on the 35 and the 44. I'm used to 3/4 ton truck with dana 80 full float lol, Kinda want to do a full float conversion on the stock 44 later on. And yeah, I read about the new 2024 full float 44 option, yeah that would be interesting but can't wait till those hit the junkyards.
Oh, I do have access to welding and machining... I'm not efficient at it and i take forever to get stuff done but not totally the end of the world. Just trying to sort though all the options and get things rolling.
(attached is a photo for laughs haha)
Thank you for any advice, and happy Memorial Day !
Alex.
Still completely stock, 250K miles, 4.0, manual and a Dana 35 rear 3.73 ratio. Stock tires. Well, I was horsing around the other day and blew up the rear end.
Pretty sure the spider gears scattered. One of the rear axles will now completely slide out the end of the axle tube lol, the C-clip is gone. Rear end popped, then locked up, then went completely open after rocking back and forth. Oh, and I did drive it like that (on the front axle) for like 10 miles.
I'm not excited about the idea of rebuilding the 35 rear end. Pretty sure it's a mess inside. A stock 44 rear with same ratio can be had for about $1500 from a junkyard that looks decent. Not cheap, but convenient. And I'm not looking to re-gear or go bigger tires right now.
I considered getting a JK or JL axle, welding the brackets on and switching to JK/JL wheels, but not cheaper, and is more work... Thought about a Ford 8.8, thought about a 60, really want to go full float, etc. But I do miss driving the jeep, and don't want to turn this into a huge project. Whatcha guys think, should I just stick the junkyard 44 in it and go, or get silly with it?
Also, I'm shocked at how wimpy the wheel bearing design is on the 35 and the 44. I'm used to 3/4 ton truck with dana 80 full float lol, Kinda want to do a full float conversion on the stock 44 later on. And yeah, I read about the new 2024 full float 44 option, yeah that would be interesting but can't wait till those hit the junkyards.
Oh, I do have access to welding and machining... I'm not efficient at it and i take forever to get stuff done but not totally the end of the world. Just trying to sort though all the options and get things rolling.
(attached is a photo for laughs haha)
Thank you for any advice, and happy Memorial Day !
Alex.
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