XJ rear axle upgrades

[Wrench]

So, the last Mud Bog ate my rear axle pretty good. One of the shafts is obviously broken, and the pumpkin has rotated itself on the outer tubes a bit and now points up too high. Alloy shafts are always an option, but many say the '35 isnt even worth upgrading.

And no, I am not interested in a Ford 8.8 swap. If I am going through the trouble of swapping axles, it's going to be Toyota.

Trashy once mentioned that a Toyota 2wd rear axle is the same lug pattern. Is there any particular axles to look for? I found an '87 2wd Toy being parted out and was hoping that axle would be a good upgrade. I need a rear axle that will hold up to good abuse on my 33's and a full locked rear end.

[Roman]

And no, I am not interested in a Ford 8.8 swap. VS. I need a rear axle that will hold up to good abuse on my 33's and a full locked rear end.

Paul, this is like jumbo shrimp . . . 8.8's are 1/2 ton truck axles! 31 spline and tuff as hell!!! 40 miles in the desert at race speed driving on nothing but the axle SHAFT Do that on a 'yota 2wd axle.

I never thought much of 8.8's, and when I granaded my D35 for the 3rd time I went a different way (listened to Trashy) and put in a 4runner axle. While it hasn't failed me in any way, it took alot more mods than an 8.8 would. From what I remember the 2wd Toyota axles are not as strong as the 4wd, smaller shafts i think.

[Grumpy]

After what these guys have put the 8.8's they've had in the Ranger thru, I believe you'd be nuts not to consider it

[White trash]

95.5 and up (tacoma) 2 wheel drive V6 has the same 8" diff and 30 spline shafts just like the 4x brother but with the same 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern as what you have now.

The reason Jose had to do more work than normal to swap in that axle is because he used a 90+ runner axle that was covered in bracketry due to its factory coil and link suspension. No yota axle with the correct bolt pattern you need will have that bracketry issue.

Personally I'm half heartedly on the lookout for the same taco axle to put in my ranger..

[OldGreen]

Honestly, you couldn't go wrong either way. There is really no reason to rule out the 8.8 or the yoter.

You should have seen what I had to do to break the 8.8. . .it was brutal and it still didn't break the shafts.

[Grumpy]

Some people, under the right conditions, could break an anvil

[Lurch]

Some people, under the right conditions, could break an anvil

Ahhh so you know the RGR crew 

[OldGreen]

I'll finally have the right vehicle when I'm scared and it doesn't break.

Now, stuff breaks way before my butt puckers.

[Roman]

95.5 and up (tacoma) 2 wheel drive V6 has the same 8" diff and 30 spline shafts just like the 4x brother but with the same 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern as what you have now.

True, but FJ John can get you a 8.8 way cheaper than a Taco axle . . .

The reason Jose had to do more work than normal to swap in that axle is because he used a 90+ runner axle that was covered in bracketry due to its factory coil and link suspension.

Actually, I was refering to the snow ball of a project the jeep turned into . . .

Personally I'm half heartedly on the lookout for the same taco axle to put in my ranger..

If you look at most 2wd Toyota prerunners, they have 8.8's in the back . . .

[White trash]

Sissy the Jeep build wasn't that big of a deal. You slapped a set of axles in there with some modified leaf springs.. The only "custom" part of it was the rear shackles.


Cost is important sometimes and it can be a deciding factor too but when you are looking for gears in the 5. range it starts to get rather spendy for new parts but I can pick up 5.29 single diffs for under $200 most any time I need one.


I don't EVER have a typical anything so my ford will have either a taco axle or a full width 9" and matching equal length beams if I go full retard.....

[Wrench]

Well, spare parts have been acquired.

I got a hold of the guy who gave me my spare engine and tranny. He had two Dana 35 axles he didnt need, and an NP231 transfer case with front CV shaft I have been looking for. Scored the whole pile of parts for $100.

I still plan to upgrade the rear axle when I can score one for cheap.