Axles; upgrade or replace?

[XJMikey]

I plan to build a budget HP30 for the (alloy usa shafts, 4.56 gears and detriot locker), but I can't decide whether to build up my C8.25" or replace it with a F8.8". I plan to do stronger "budget" shafts, 4.56 gears and a detriot trutrac in the rear, but is a F8.8" worth it with only 33's and occational wheeling?


I apologize if this is repost, did t have much luck searching.
- Mike

[4.3LXJ]

Nah, stick with the 8.25. A TrueTrac will only achieve 70% lockup and not over stress those 29 spline axles

[XJMikey]

Nah, stick with the 8.25. A TrueTrac will only achieve 70% lockup and not over stress those 29 spline axles

Sounds good to me. Thanks for the help. Now to start adding up parts and locating a stock hp30.

[xjmarc]

Stock D30 shafts will hold a 33 even locked without issues unless you do a lot of full throttle bouncing and even rocks won't hold up to that.

[bigjim350]

Yeah id stick with the 8.25. Hell a 8.25 would be good with a full spool on 33's.

[XJMikey]

Stock D30 shafts will hold a 33 even locked without issues unless you do a lot of full throttle bouncing and even rocks won't hold up to that.

It would be a junkyard HP30, so I was thinking I'd strip the axle, clean it up and upgrade the internals so I would have a better than stock axle in my front-end.


Yeah id stick with the 8.25. Hell a 8.25 would be good with a full spool on 33's.

Then hopefully with upgraded internals, I won't have any problems running 33's :D


Thanks for the help, and info guys. I won't be taking on this project for a while due to having serveral other problems with my XJ, but hopefully I can start my build after tax return time.... like most Jeepers do. Lol. :D

[xjrev10]

Stock D30 shafts will hold a 33 even locked without issues unless you do a lot of full throttle bouncing and even rocks won't hold up to that.

I agree. BUT only if you are a skilled driver that knows your equipment limits!

[xjmarc]

Most of the folks I ride with still have the stock D30 up front and several have a 8.25, both 27 and 29 spline versions. I can think of 2 with 33s and the rest are on 35s-37s and we don't wheel easy here.

[nickxj94]

Most of the folks I ride with still have the stock D30 up front and several have a 8.25, both 27 and 29 spline versions. I can think of 2 with 33s and the rest are on 35s-37s and we don't wheel easy here.

These Arkansas rocks must be tougher than Tennessee rocks cause me and my buds go through d30 shafts like beer! Lol I wish I could afford some RCV's and a truss kit!

[07Negative]

I'd build up both Dana 30 and the 8.25. I'm switching out my 8.25 for a Dana44 b/c I got a killer deal. But I'm also on the fence about linking the rear. So I figured I'd throw a D44 for which ever route I took. Otherwise I'd keep my 8.25 and build it up. I've seen many others with 35's on those axles and they do great.
For the front do a selectable like a Eaton. But I'm a big fan of manual lockouts. They just cost a stupid amount.
The 8.25 is cheap to beef up. Alloy inners, rear disc brake conversion, and truss it. Done! You've got a great axle.
The fronts always cost most. There's more going on up there. The weakest link for that axle is the ring and pinion. You can truss it, but it's a crap ton of work! I'm stripping down a HP Dana 30 now for a TNT truss. It's a retarded amount of work for what may no be worth it in the end. I don't know yet, I haven't done this before.

[olds-cool]

I was looking at the 8.8 for a while and from the research I did, I found that it was only marginally better than the 8.25. Marginal enough that it wasn't worth the cost and effort to swap out. I think it's a much better option for the D35 guys.

[NW99XJ]

I'd focus on the 8.25 first.... especially if its a 29 spline. Good axle, plenty strong as is, but even a stock HP D30 can take a fair amount of abuse as-is. Take your tax return and do what you're gonna do to the 8.25 with it still under the jeep. It'll be a quick upgrade, and you'll still have that D30 you can beat up in the mean time. And then you can turn your attention to tracking down a donor HP30 for a slow build-up project.
Mild or extreme, all depends on the kind of wheeling you do and the terrain it'll see.

[xjmarc]

These Arkansas rocks must be tougher than Tennessee rocks cause me and my buds go through d30 shafts like beer! Lol I wish I could afford some RCV's and a truss kit!

I've ridden some of those AR rocks as well as the ones in Disney OK, (got family in NW AR) and didn't have any issues. As long as you don't romp on it with the wheels turned they'll be fine. For what you'd pay for RCVs you'd almost have a built 60.

[nickxj94]

I've ridden some of those AR rocks as well as the ones in Disney OK, (got family in NW AR) and didn't have any issues. As long as you don't romp on it with the wheels turned they'll be fine. For what you'd pay for RCVs you'd almost have a built 60.

I know! A guy in my club has them in his xj and he loves them.

[Mudderoy]

I was looking at the 8.8 for a while and from the research I did, I found that it was only marginally better than the 8.25. Marginal enough that it wasn't worth the cost and effort to swap out. I think it's a much better option for the D35 guys.

I was surprised by this, of course I was comparing the 8.25 to a Dana 44. The only real downside to the 8.25 is the "C" clips, and my understanding is if you convert it to disc brakes that additional hardware will keep the axle in if it breaks.

Yeah I 4.56 gear in my 8.25 and soon it will have an ARB air locker, so I'm investing in mine. ;)

[NW99XJ]

nothing wrong with an 8.25..... and I hear there are companies working on a "C-Clip Eliminator Kit" for them now too!

[4.3LXJ]

nothing wrong with an 8.25..... and I hear there are companies working on a "C-Clip Eliminator Kit" for them now too!

One already exists, but you have to buy their axles too, so spendy

[NW99XJ]

The good stuff usually is....(figures)

[XJMikey]

I don't think I'll need a c-clip eliminator kit. I've found I rarely use a lot of throttle, leave 4low, 1st gear, go above 2800rpms or 10mphs while offroad. :D

My current list consist of:
- Alloy USA 29-Spline Axle Shafts
- USA Standard Gear 4.56 R&P + Installation Kit
- Detroit TruTrac
- Crown Disc Conversion
- Riddler Diff Guard

My total build cost is around $1800, which is about the same for a F8.8" of equal build, but I've read that the F8.8" eats up too much ground clearance to be worth swapping in if your XJ already has a C8.25".

[XJMikey]

So after seeing the build cost... is a front locker worth installing in a rig that will see mostly on-road driving?

I plan to get a OEM anti-spin differential for my 8.25", since I can buy it, r&p gears and installation kit for the cost of a Detriot TruTrac allow.

[4.3LXJ]

Probably not. Front locker is really for those hard core situations

[XJMikey]

Probably not. Front locker is really for those hard core situations

Thanks for the info. The savings without a front locker can go to a winch... which should make up for not having a front locker. Lol