If you’re building a Cherokee for bigger tires, tougher trails, or just a more capable rig, your axles need to keep up. The front Dana 30 and rear Dana 35 or Chrysler 8.25 are fine for lighter setups, but once you start running bigger tires or pushing your Jeep harder, upgrades make a big difference.
A lot of XJ owners start with regearing. Anytime you throw on bigger tires, the stock gearing doesn’t match anymore, and your Jeep feels sluggish. Regearing fixes that, so you get proper power to the wheels and your Jeep drives like it should on the road and trails.
Lockers are another popular upgrade. They let both wheels spin together when one loses traction, which is a huge help on rocks, mud, or any sketchy trail section. ARB air lockers, Detroit lockers, or Aussie lockers are all common choices, depending on how you want them to engage.
Chromoly axle shafts are a must for any Jeep that sees real off-road use. Stock shafts can hold up, but stronger shafts cut down the risk of breaking something when the torque gets high or the tires get bigger. Most people upgrade both front and rear shafts when they start building a serious trail rig.
Don’t overlook axle seals and differential covers. Good seals keep water and dirt out, and a solid diff cover protects the gears from rocks and trail damage. Some aftermarket covers even make changing your fluid easier, which is nice after a muddy weekend.
For the rear, the Dana 35 works okay for moderate builds, but a lot of guys swap in a Chrysler 8.25. It’s stronger, bolts right in, and handles bigger tires better. For really serious builds, the Ford 8.8 swap is popular—it’s wider, stronger, and ready for big tires and heavy-duty use. It’s become a go-to for rockcrawlers and anyone who wants to push their XJ hard without worrying about the rear axle.
All of these upgrades—regearing, lockers, chromoly shafts, seals, diff covers, and axle swaps—work together to make your Cherokee more capable and reliable. Whether you’re running bigger tires, towing, or tackling tough trails, the right axles let you push your Jeep without worrying about breaking parts.
