ChryCo 8.25 axle in WK / XK

R

Root Moose

Guest
Does anyone know much about these axles?

Supposedly they are a Chrysler 8.25" axle but you can't install an aftermarket differential in them for some reason.

At least that is what the Internet says - and i don't believe it.

I'm interested in these axles because they (the XK version anyway) are a full float axle. I don't know the WMS but suspect it is around the JK/WJ width at ~63" or so.

Whaddya know? :)
 
D

Dirk

Guest
what do you mean by aftermarket differential? Lockers, gears...?
 
mucovich

mucovich

Till Valhalla!
My XJ came with the cryco 8.25 - some say almost as strong as a 44 (29 spline version). Cherokee and grands came with this axle starting in the early 90's but it was the 27 spline version whch turned out not much stronger than the dana 35. Midway through the 96 build year chrysler upgraded the 8.25 to 29 spline, as stated, fairly strong and can be made very tough with chromo shafts (there is alot of testimonial on the net of dudes beating their 8.25 with up to 37" tires with no problem). As for after market support it continues to get better. Up until recently 4.56 was as deep as you could go but you can now gear it as low as 4.88. It is also a C-clip axle and i am not sure if they make a c-clip eliminator kit for it yet. As far as lockers go - there are alot of options (i've had my 8.25 locked with an ARB for 3 years now) whatever site you where looking at that said there was no options for it is not a very informed site. As the 8.25 is of course a very popular XJ axle there is alot of info on building one on NAXJA.com or jeepforum.com to name a few. Lastly i think that the WMS to WMS for it is about 61 or so inches. I hope this helps!:):beer:
 
R

Root Moose

Guest
I appreciate the data you've given us but I've been told that the XK and WK versions are slightly different.

Did some more digging and there does not seem to be anything available for this version of the axle. :(

I've got a call into my buddy at ARB but I think he may be on vacation since he hasn't called me back yet.
 
mucovich

mucovich

Till Valhalla!
hmmm, leave it to chrysler to put different variants of the same axle in different vehicles, life would be so much easier if all the parts where standardized! I have read somewhere of an XK getting a locker in the rear but i don't remember any details, hopefully ARB has some answers.
 
R

Root Moose

Guest
So, this is where we're at: there is no aftermarket TAD for the WK/XK 8.25 axle. ARB has interest in making one but there is nothing officially happening.

I've done more research on this axle though. The axle in the XK is a full floater. That's right, a full floating 8.25" axle. It uses uni-bearings for the bearings in lieu of the normal packable bearing sets. I don't see this as a big deal. I got ~180,000 kms out of the front uni-bearings on my XJ, the rear should last as long if not longer. It would be interesting to know what the recommended service interval of the uni-bearings are in the FSM.

The fangler in me wonders if the full float assembly from the XK axle could be adapted to the XJ 8.25 axle.

The axle assemblies are the same relative vintage so the axle tube flange pattern may match.

If that is the case I'm guessing the only part that would need fabrication would be the axle shaft itself.

I may try to scrounge a XK axle just to see if this is possible. I have an XJ 8.25 lying around from my XJ (Swapped in D44).
 
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