Dana 35's can break?
- Thread starter NomadJeep
- Start date
JeepinMaxx
Active member
So... anyone else here runnin' a D35C with a locker and 33's? Anyone else had failures like these? I carry a spare set of axles, but from these pics, it looks like that won't help get you home. Question - if I had a disc brake conversion in the rear - would that hold the wheel on like the straps and logs in the photos?
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xjmark
Guest
Yeah, to a point it would, but it would damage the brakes. After you got the thing off of the trail, you would swear off the D35 for good and go with something else anyway. :wink:JeepinMaxx said:
Yes disc brakes will hold it in when snapped, but it will always be you weakest link. However, with 33" you can wheel and be fine, just need to be very careful when using the skinny pedal.
I had the dana 35 with 35" for about a year... I had no problems, but I also new that I would eventually want to upgrade, so I started building a Dana 44 out of an XJ on the side... Spending the money to put disc brakes on it is sort of like polishing a turd... it is money that could be spent elswhere...
a ford 8.8 is a little better bet and you can get them with disc brakes already... then you just need to weld some perches on, gear and lock it...
(I see completely done up ones all the time for under a grand)
I had the dana 35 with 35" for about a year... I had no problems, but I also new that I would eventually want to upgrade, so I started building a Dana 44 out of an XJ on the side... Spending the money to put disc brakes on it is sort of like polishing a turd... it is money that could be spent elswhere...
a ford 8.8 is a little better bet and you can get them with disc brakes already... then you just need to weld some perches on, gear and lock it...
(I see completely done up ones all the time for under a grand)
FYI, that WJ that "broke an axle" vid clip was pulled off of kevin's jeep parts website. the sound is the rocker guard hitting the rock. it's a rocker guard-in-action video, he makes mostly grand cherokee stuff. he started his company making rockers for zjs and wjs. just in case you were wondering. and how does he know it had a d35?? it could have had a AL44. thanks for the link though.....i'm going to go work on my 8.8 now....... :shock:
kevin c.
kevin c.
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RJ
Guest
Been running my D35 locked for two years now.
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Zaedock
Guest
I call BS on most of those pictures. Look at the tires that some of those people are running. What kind of person would throw 35's (or any larger than stock tire) on a stock Dana35 and then complain when it breaks?
I have been running my Dana35 forever. I have upgraded to Yukon alloy axle shafts and properly geared my Jeep which puts less stress on my drivetrain (and helps Tread Lightly!). I'd be willing to bet most people in those pics were running stock gears with those tires. I know all about it, because it used to be me. Throw some 33's on and mash the gas...
I have snapped shafts before. You know what, it was MY fault, not the axle's. I guess the best upgrade is getting older *sigh*...
I don't believe all of the 'tales that surround the D35. Why would a C-clip axle be weaker than a pressed retainer axle? Yeah, you can drive on a non c-clip, but you're still chewing the hell out of the inner axle tube when you move. It doen't make it any better. The axle shaft strength is the same. Swapping a 'shaft will get you off the trail and back home.
It's true that Dana35's are not as strong as a D44, or a Ford 8.8, or a 9". They do have over an inch of extra ground clearance though and a Dana35's pinion is actually larger than a D44. Tube diameter and thickness is the same as a TJ Dana44. The only benefit you get is an inch bigger ring gear and 30 spline axle shafts. If you're running a 4 popper (like me), then the ring gear isn't even an issue.
Anyway (getting off my soap box), I guess it's up to the builder on what he/she wants to run. In my 12+ years of wheel'n, I have seen far more Dana44's and Dana60's break than Dana 35's. That's something to keep in mind.
Cheers,
Joe
I have been running my Dana35 forever. I have upgraded to Yukon alloy axle shafts and properly geared my Jeep which puts less stress on my drivetrain (and helps Tread Lightly!). I'd be willing to bet most people in those pics were running stock gears with those tires. I know all about it, because it used to be me. Throw some 33's on and mash the gas...
I have snapped shafts before. You know what, it was MY fault, not the axle's. I guess the best upgrade is getting older *sigh*...
I don't believe all of the 'tales that surround the D35. Why would a C-clip axle be weaker than a pressed retainer axle? Yeah, you can drive on a non c-clip, but you're still chewing the hell out of the inner axle tube when you move. It doen't make it any better. The axle shaft strength is the same. Swapping a 'shaft will get you off the trail and back home.
It's true that Dana35's are not as strong as a D44, or a Ford 8.8, or a 9". They do have over an inch of extra ground clearance though and a Dana35's pinion is actually larger than a D44. Tube diameter and thickness is the same as a TJ Dana44. The only benefit you get is an inch bigger ring gear and 30 spline axle shafts. If you're running a 4 popper (like me), then the ring gear isn't even an issue.
Anyway (getting off my soap box), I guess it's up to the builder on what he/she wants to run. In my 12+ years of wheel'n, I have seen far more Dana44's and Dana60's break than Dana 35's. That's something to keep in mind.
Cheers,
Joe
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Rev
Guest
Steve said:
YUP - They hook 'em with a Super 35 kit 8)
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CrzyFrlssJeep
Guest
The "SUPER TURDY-5" is over-rated.Rev said:
Yeah, I blew mine up.....TWICE
Once stock and once Super 35 equipped.
But I've since rebuilt the Super 35, so it should be fine for little while anyway.
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Rev
Guest
Well, it wouldn't hold up with a locker...so...with the detroit on its way back to Drivetrain Direct as I type this, I'll be able to see if it can withstand an ARB in a month or so 8)
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Rev
Guest
I'm going to have it done by CT Axles (see sponsor banner). Send him an e-mail, best prices I have come across
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xjmark
Guest
Both of my axles were dropped off at Ct Axle last night. It's the first time I got to meet Pete. He's professional with the business, and easy going when talking with him. Plus, he's right in your town Tina.Rev said:
I can't wait to hit the trail with the new gears and lockers. :wink:
Thanks xjmark,
Good advice...I forgot about Pete!
Check out this switch I found on Stu's site for the ARB. http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/all/switch/
Good advice...I forgot about Pete!
Check out this switch I found on Stu's site for the ARB. http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/all/switch/
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Used-TJ
Guest
Zaedock said:
That's probably 'cause people realize what a piece of junk the D35 is, and when the build a serious rig thats the first thing to go.
If what you plan on wheeling is a 4 cyl. backed up by an auto with close to stock tires and no locker, of course the 35 will probably survive.
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Zaedock
Guest
Used-TJ said:
I guess I haven't built a "serious" rig then. BTW, it's a SM420, not an auto.
And yes, I have lockers and "tiny" 33" tires. I've found that the real problem isn't the axles, it's the "trail heroes" that need to run gigantic axles with balloon tires and 400hp engines. Come on, be honest, what trail is there here in the north east that you can't run with 33's or 35's and still say you follow tread lightly! principals. Maybe if people went back to basics and built themselves into a "serious" driver, we wouldn't need "serious" trail rigs.
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Erik S.
Guest
Zaedock said:
Umm, have you run Trail in Vane?? 35s is about as small as you want to go on most of the trail.
The entrance road a car can drive on, but once you drop in, fahgetaboutit! Bring 35s or bigger and lockers front and rear.
Other than that, not many/any other trails in NE requiring bigger than 35s.
Erik
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CrzyFrlssJeep
Guest
I went to Vanes Land...
Lets just say I wasn't the only person breaking ring & pinions that weekend.
Granted I blew up my D30 and few people blew up up some stuff MUCH bigger than a D30 while I was there.
Not to mention a couple rollovers and busted steering parts.
But...at least it was ONLY my D30 that blew, I was able to do a trail repair and drive home afterwards.
Lets just say I wasn't the only person breaking ring & pinions that weekend.
Granted I blew up my D30 and few people blew up up some stuff MUCH bigger than a D30 while I was there.
Not to mention a couple rollovers and busted steering parts.
But...at least it was ONLY my D30 that blew, I was able to do a trail repair and drive home afterwards.
