Are the stock xj axles worth putting lockers in?

[k.mikes94]

I am looking to build my xj this is my second jeep i have owned it is a 96 country auto with 130,xxx miles on it. i was just gonna go buy a wrangler trail ready. but i picked my xj up for 1100 and fell in love wanna keep this thing forever. but im trying to get all my prices set up and know my budget. so would it be a good thing to get rid of those axles now and not even deal with them. or could i lock them both up and maybe make the stronger? please give me feed back. If any one is from south west washington state would be great to get in contact would love to meet other xj lovers and go on trails as i build my jeep

[OrangeXJ]

Mine was locked with stock axles had no problem. Now if you are going wheel it hard like in rocks you mite wan to go with aftermarket axles

[EekGirl96]

I agree with Greg, my stock axles did fine with a locker and here in AZ its mostly all rocks.

If your worried you could always get a more heavy duty diff cover, I had Riddler on my front D30 and I loved it.

[4.3LXJ]

This is a question that comes up a lot since lockers are popular. I currently have both ends locked with a D30 and D35 axles. I have yet to baptize the front in the rocks, but that will change. The first thing to ask is what tire size do you have and what will you end up with?



As you can see, these aren't small pebbles. However, there are two secrets to making the stock rear end last with a locker in the rocks. First, don't go with huge tires. As you can see, I am running 31" tires still. 33s are max and marginal in my opinion. 35s will kill it. Second, take it easy, just creep. Easier on passengers anyway.

One other thing. The most common failure on the D35 if you have one is the C clip that holds the axle in. If you get the one piece axle bearing, you can eliminate the need for the C clip and get rid of the most failure prone part of the spicer axle.

If you have the 8.25 axle, you can get a locker for the 29 spline axles and then get a set of those axles and you will be set.

[cantab27]

will come down to how you wheel it....learn to drive it with the lockers in...she will be a differnt beast.......

[denverd1]

I can't wait till friday. Getting paid and locking my rear end. I was of the "front locker first" camp until I read a recommendation for rear first based on climbing things. I agree, stock axles are fine up to 33s. And I'm going to be easy with it. Not sure about WV, but 44's are hard to come by in Texas.

[XJ Wheeler]

Yep, comes down to have ya wheel and what size tires.

[k.mikes94]

Thanks for all the replys I was told to take the stock axles off and replace them with a ford nine and a d44. But my xj is gonna be a snow machine. I am not in to rocks or mad but if that's why happens to be on the trail I'm on then I wanna be prepared for it. But most of it wheelin will be in the snow. I wanna make my xj an unstoppable snow machine. I might go 35s with a rubicon express long arm kit 5" with the 3" spacer lift I have on it.

[XJ Wheeler]

Well, 35s ARE pretty much the top for the stock axles if you have the rear 8.25". So if you go that big you may want to consider it, but not mandatory.

[denverd1]

since its a snow jeep, I'd say you get away with upgrading the inner shafts on the stocks axles and just baby it on the few rocks/stumps you run into.

[4.3LXJ]

They will handle 35s in the snow. Be advised though that if you put in a front automatic locker that it will cut down your turning radius. A selectable would be better in the front. And in the rear too so the diffs remain open while getting there for better traction on the slick highway you will encounter. If snow wheeling is going to be your only real wheeling, I might suggest putting in Detroit true tracks instead. The rear will achieve a 70% lockup and front 40% but give a little for highway driving giving you the best of both worlds.

[k.mikes94]

Alright so my friend says do a ford nine and a d44 swap are hard are those axles to come by and how much work am I looking at?

[4x4Dalton]

The d44 isn't real hard to find but parts are where you will feel it big time. If ya break it its gonna cost.

[4.3LXJ]

If you do the Ford stuff, which is considered a good swap, you will need to be able to fabricate. Also you will be getting axles considerably wider than what you have and the tires will stick out almost the width of the tire. Not a bad thing really. Also you will need to redo the steering completely from the box onward. Track bar too. As far as D44 stuff goes, strong and easy to come by. The ford stuff is common in wrecking yards

[cantab27]

dude if just for snow i would throw a winch on ...lockers only get you stuck futher up the ways....