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Does condition/age matter in an 8.25 axle swap if regearing?
Getting ready to lift and regear next week, and because we use this as an overland rig (only moderate wheeling but HEAVILY loaded) it seems like a good idea to switch out the D35. Problem is that Cherokees are popular here and they get stripped quickly (Portland OR). So far I've found one 8.25 axle from a 98 that can be shipped to me for 450 but I can't see it and I don't know the milage of the vehicle. There are a few on eBay with similar price but I don't know the milage on those either. Then there is the gem in the photos below (I think this is a later model with the 29 spline?), at the local pick n pull with a few damaged studs for 230 bucks. Don't care at all about the cost differences, it's tiny compared to the build cost. So, my question is: does the age and condition of the axle matter at all if it's going to get new seals and gears? Drums are rusty but the axle isn't. Should I be looking for a lower milage axle? Also, sorry for being ignorant but is that dimple on the top of the axle the breather? I can't figure out what that is but it's got some welding slag stuck around it so I just want to make sure it's actually supposed to be there. First time doing this so I don't want to make dumb choices! Thanks.
Getting ready to lift and regear next week, and because we use this as an overland rig (only moderate wheeling but HEAVILY loaded) it seems like a good idea to switch out the D35. Problem is that Cherokees are popular here and they get stripped quickly (Portland OR). So far I've found one 8.25 axle from a 98 that can be shipped to me for 450 but I can't see it and I don't know the milage of the vehicle. There are a few on eBay with similar price but I don't know the milage on those either. Then there is the gem in the photos below (I think this is a later model with the 29 spline?), at the local pick n pull with a few damaged studs for 230 bucks. Don't care at all about the cost differences, it's tiny compared to the build cost. So, my question is: does the age and condition of the axle matter at all if it's going to get new seals and gears? Drums are rusty but the axle isn't. Should I be looking for a lower milage axle? Also, sorry for being ignorant but is that dimple on the top of the axle the breather? I can't figure out what that is but it's got some welding slag stuck around it so I just want to make sure it's actually supposed to be there. First time doing this so I don't want to make dumb choices! Thanks.
I bet that rear would clean up nicely it doesn't look pitted or heavily rusted... Something you don't get to see often in this area at the boneyards .. If you had your choice of rears at the same location you could pull the axles and check the bearing surface for wear...Possibly changing them out for the perfect rear to buy... But chances are it'll be fine...
It still has the rear sway bar so it probably hasn't seen much rough off-road. Get the
driveshaft, too, while you are at it, since it is an inch shorter than the one you have with
the D35. Maybe the u-bolts and plates, and the main and second leaves, too, unless
you are getting a new lift kit.
12-20-2022, 10:28 AM
Does condition/age matter in an 8.25 axle swap if regearing?
