Can a D35 survive a trip to the rubicon ?

[james90toy]

Sorry for the newbie question, Im a toyota guy. Ive read a lot about the D35 being crap. I have an older handicap friend that really wants to drive the rubicon . He has a 97 tj auto 3" lift 32 tires NO lockers. Ive been looking in to the ford 8.8 swap for him but to do it right with brackets, locker, brake lines and everything would be just under a $1000. I dont think he wants to get in to rock crawling so spending a grand just to do the rubicon one time is a little steep. " But it would be worth it to me if i had to tow him out" LOL. Would it make it if he drove smooth? Or not worth the gamble ?
Thanks james

[Hoose]

Should be fine as long as he stays out of the skinny pedal.

[Optiskate]

If you drive smart, then you can minimize breakage. Don't bounce on it, bind it up, senselessly beat the shit out of it. I drove with my D35 on heavy ass 35"x13.5" toyo's and a locker and only broke it twice. The first time I bounced backward down a hill and landed on a rock at full throttle and the second time I was cresting a hill at full throttle and let the rear end bounce a few times. The first time was an axle shaft the second time was the yoke. If hes driving smart, I bet he could even get away with lockers. You just have to pay a bit more attention and take into consideration that you do have the lockers. Its really not too big of a deal, just a bit of a learning experience.

[GLBonkers]

I did the Rubicon the first time in a bone stock TJ 4 banger. Open open, on 28's. 7 years ago I did upgrade the D35 to a super (hush. I was young and stupid.) and still haven't broken it. (I've broken just about everything else, not the rear). Just stay off the skinny pedal and pick your lines carefully.

[engnmonkey]

If you or he are that worried about the rear axle, just take a spare set of shafts along. They can be bought for 20-30 dollars per set, or sometimes free.

[1tuffyj]

4 squirrels will help it last longer than the 4.0. I wheeled my stock turdy5 for many yrs behind my 2.5 on 33s with very little issue. I swapped it out when I went to 35s.

[GreenJeep55]

Just take it easy, have fun......some guys think they need an Atlas to back out of the garage.

[Mudder18]

I wouldnt worry too much especially if your running near stock tire size. But then again a buddy of mine had the rear pinion explode and lock against the carrier haha

[v6toy4x]

Just go smooth and easy take a tug when needed. How's the 4.3? did you get refereed?

[1tuffyj]

Originally Posted by GreenJeep55

Just take it easy, have fun......some guys think they need an Atlas to back out of the garage.

Lmao

[Stonefly]

The short answer is Yes, it can be done.

Years ago, I did it with a lockrite in mine. Had a friend do it with factory limited slip. Had another friend do it with a lockrite in the front & open rear. However, it is a gambel.....It is when, not if, with the D35.

If he is truley open/open. You may want to look at adding a single locker (front or rear) and carry a spare short side shaft (that's the one that tends to break) for the D35.

If he has factory limited slip in the rear, he may be fine, but adding a locker to the front would be huge.


I went the 8.8 route with a full Detroit and have not looked back. If your friend wants a solid upgrade axle for his TJ, I would look at finding a TJ D44 (bolt in) or an 8.8, and spend a few dolllars more for an e-locker for either axle.

[90xjDave]

i've run my d30/35 combo for 5 years, 4.88 gears and lockrites in both. I'm on 33's. I also carry spare shafts and tre's but have never broken anything. 4cyl's and a little finness on the gas pedal is key. Can it be done? yes. Is it ideal? no.

I have a pair of d44's that I need to build. just saving some cash, and waiting for these stock axels to go before I really get serious about it.

[crashnzuk]

I don't think I'd worry about the axles as much as you will be dragging on stuff and probably banging the body a bit. I say it's 100% do-able, but expect some bumps and scrapes.
Travis..

[skullboyz]

im alittle late on the feedback but i ran a dana 35 with a welded rear on 37s and as long as you are carefull with wheel speed and binding he will be fine. but wheeling is like a sickness you go out and see what its like and you will get the bug. then you will find yourself giving handjobs for jeep pars lol

[navy-jeepster]

We have done multiple work weekends on the trail, and got anyplace we needed on our D30/35 combo, fully open/open.
Climbed Cadillac twice that way. Knew when to take a strap or a quick pull with the winch on Cadillac. The second time on Cadillac, we even pulled a trailer up.

We have did just about everything on the Wentworth side while we were open.
Can be done, just have to be careful on the skinny peddle, and carry spares.
We were lucky, and never broke anything on the Rubicon with that setup.

Todd

[james90toy]

Thanks alot for the advice . I passed all this along to my friend , it made a little nervous so i found a set of rubicon axles and he bought them.