Yukon Gear Duragrip Posi For Dana 35 w/ 27 Spline Axles / 3.54 and Up
The Dana 35 under a Jeep Cherokee XJ, Wrangler YJ or TJ, Comanche or 1990s Grand Cherokee almost always left the factory open, or with a limited slip that has long since worn out. The result is the familiar one-tire fire on wet grass, snow or the first rocky climb. The Yukon Dura Grip YDGM35-4-27-1 is a clutch-type positraction carrier built for the Dana 35 (AMC Model 35) rear with the stock 27-spline axle shafts and a ring and pinion ratio of 3.54 or numerically higher, which covers the factory 3.55 and 3.73 gears and most regears for bigger tires.
The Dana 35 uses C-clip axles that lock into the side gears inside the carrier, so the carrier you choose decides how torque is split between the rear tires. An open case sends power to whichever tire spins easiest. The Dura Grip puts a composite clutch pack behind each side gear, preloaded by springs, so both shafts are held to the case until cornering forces make the clutches slip. That gives you drive to the tire with grip and still lets the axle turn normally on pavement. Yukon builds it with a nodular iron case and forged 4320 chromoly spider gears, and the whole unit can be rebuilt with new clutches later instead of being thrown away. Dana 35 carriers are made in two ring gear mounting heights; this is the 3.54-and-up case, and lower numerical ratios need the other one.
Read the ratio on the axle tag or the ring gear: 3.54, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56 and 4.88 belong in this case. Pull one shaft and count the splines; this unit is 27-spline only, so a Dana 35 that already has aftermarket 30-spline shafts needs a different carrier. Make sure it is really a 35 and not a Chrysler 8.25, which some XJs share; our Dana 35 problems and upgrade guide covers identification and the C-clip and bearing issues to fix while it is apart. If you are torn between a posi and a locker, read the open vs limited slip vs locker guide first.
Yukon lists this carrier for the Model 35 / Dana 35 rear in 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee, 1986-1992 Comanche, 1987-1995 Wrangler YJ, 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ, 1993-1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee, 1999-2004 WJ Grand Cherokee, 1993 Grand Wagoneer and some 2002-2003 Liberty models, plus AMC cars including the Eagle, Concord, Hornet, Javelin, AMX and Pacer. Many of these Jeeps also came with a Chrysler 8.25 or a Dana 44 depending on year and options, and some ABS-equipped rears differ in axle retention, so match the axle tag, ratio and spline count or send us your year and VIN before ordering. More traction and carrier choices are in our hard parts category.
Drain the axle, pull the cover, remove the cross pin bolt and cross pin, push the shafts in and remove the C-clips, then mark the bearing caps and lift out the carrier. Move the ring gear to the Dura Grip with new bolts and thread locker. This is a good moment for fresh carrier bearings and races; the Timken Dana 35 master bearing kit or the Dana 35 rear master bearing kit covers carrier and pinion bearings if the pinion is noisy too. Carrier preload and backlash are set with shims on the Dana 35; Yukon's setup chart lists the Model 35 at 55 ft-lb ring gear bolts and 55 ft-lb cap bolts, and 12-15 in-lb new pinion bearing preload if you rebuild the pinion. If you are regearing at the same time, a Dana 35 3.73 ring and pinion drops right onto this case. Fill with non-synthetic GL-5 gear oil plus Yukon limited slip additive; Yukon warns that synthetic oil can make the unit noisy or aggressive. See our friction modifier dosing guide, and drive gently for the first few hundred miles while the clutches bed in.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YDGM35-4-27-1 |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Duragrip Posi For Dana 35 w/ 27 Spline Axles / 3.54 and Up |
| Type | Differentials |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. This is the 3.54-and-up case. Dana 35 axles with numerically lower ratios use a carrier with a different ring gear mounting height.
No. It is machined for the stock 27-spline Dana 35 shafts. If you have already installed 30-spline shafts, you need the 30-spline version of the carrier.
No. The JL rear is the newer 200 mm Dana 35 (M200) with 29-spline shafts and a different carrier. This unit is for the older Model 35 rear in the XJ, YJ, TJ, ZJ, WJ and similar.
Yukon recommends a high-grade non-synthetic GL-5 gear oil with its limited slip additive. Synthetic oil is not recommended for the Dura Grip.
Yes, if they have any miles on them. The old bearings have to be pulled off the factory case anyway, and new carrier bearings with correct shim preload are what keep the ring gear quiet.
It adds traction, not strength. The ring gear and stock C-clip shafts are the same size, so on large tires many owners also upgrade axle shafts or consider an axle swap.
