Spicer 4.88 ring and pinion set (39-8 teeth, 26-spline pinion, 8-bolt ring) for Dana 35 rear axles, OEM number D35-488, for regearing on bigger tires.
If you run a Wrangler YJ, a non-Rubicon TJ, a Cherokee XJ or an early Grand Cherokee ZJ with the Dana 35 rear and have stepped up to 33 inch tires or larger, the factory 3.07 or 3.55 gears are the reason it bogs off the line and drops out of overdrive on every grade. The Spicer 2020484, catalogued as D35-488, is a new 4.88 ring and pinion set for that older Dana 35 axle. It is one of the most common ratios for these Jeeps once the tires grow, because it brings engine speed and crawl ratio back to where the drivetrain was designed to work.
The pinion is turned by the rear driveshaft and drives the ring gear bolted to the differential carrier. This set cuts 39 teeth on the ring and 8 on the pinion, so the driveshaft turns 4.88 times for each turn of the axles. The ring gear is 7.62 inches with 8 mounting bolts, and the pinion has a 26-spline yoke end and a 1.406 inch pinion shaft. That 8-bolt, 7.62 inch layout is specific to the earlier Dana 35 and is not shared with the 2018-up JL Dana 35 M200, which uses a larger ring gear and different pinion.
Confirm the rear is a Dana 35 and not a Dana 44 or Chrysler 8.25, which some XJ and TJ models used; the housing cover shape and axle tag tell you. Read the existing ratio from the tag or count the turns of the driveshaft against one turn of the tires. Plan the front at the same time: the front Dana 30 must run the identical ratio, and for a TJ the Dana 30 short pinion 4.88 set is the match. Dana 35 carriers are made in ratio ranges, so if your Jeep came with low numerical gears, check that your carrier accepts a 4.88 pinion before ordering. A carrier swap can be combined with a traction upgrade like the Yukon Dura Grip posi for Dana 35, 3.54 and up.
This set is for the Dana 35 rear axle under 1990-2006 Jeep Wrangler YJ and TJ (non-Rubicon), Cherokee XJ and 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ models that came with the Dana 35. It does not fit the JL Dana 35 M200 or any Rubicon rear. Because tag, carrier range and year breaks vary, match the ring gear size and pinion spline count to your old parts, or send us your year and VIN and we will check it. Other ratios for the same axle include the Spicer Dana 35 3.73 set for milder tire sizes, and more axle parts are on our hard parts page.
The Dana 35 is a C-clip axle, so remove the cross pin bolt and pin, push the shafts in, pull the clips and slide the shafts out before the carrier comes out. Mark the bearing caps so they go back on the same sides. This is a gear set only; install it with new pinion and carrier bearings, races, a crush sleeve and a pinion seal from the Dana 35 rear master bearing kit or the Timken Dana 35 master bearing kit. Revolution Gear's setup chart for the Dana 35 gives a 0.045 in starting pinion depth, 12-15 in-lb pinion bearing preload, 0.006-0.010 in backlash, and 55 ft-lb on both the ring gear bolts and bearing caps. Use new ring gear bolts with thread locker, read the drive and coast pattern with marking compound, and fill with 75W-90 gear oil, adding friction modifier if a limited slip is installed. Break the gears in with easy driving and no towing, then change the oil after the first few hundred miles. Recalibrate the speedometer for the new ratio and tire size.
| Part number | |
| OEM number | |
| Axle | |
| Ratio | |
| Pinion spline | |
| Ring gear bolts | |
| Ring gear diameter | |
| Pinion shaft | |
| Weight |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. The JL uses the newer Dana 35 M200 with a 200 mm ring gear. This Spicer set is the 7.62 inch, 8-bolt gear for the earlier Dana 35 under YJ, TJ, XJ and ZJ models.
It is the usual pick for these Jeeps on 33 inch tires and up, especially with an automatic or a 4.0L on the highway. Tire size, engine and how you use the Jeep all play in, so check engine rpm at cruise for your combination.
Yes. The front and rear must run the same ratio or the transfer case and axles bind in 4WD. Order a 4.88 set for the front Dana 30 at the same time.
No. This is the ring and pinion only. Use a Dana 35 master bearing kit with new pinion and carrier bearings, races, crush sleeve and pinion seal; do not reuse old pinion bearings with new gears.
Dana 35 carriers are made in ratio ranges. If your Jeep came with a low numerical ratio such as 3.07, confirm your carrier accepts the 4.88 pinion before you order, or plan a carrier change.
