350MJ Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 I have an 86 jeep comanche running dana 30 front and dana 35 rear. I also have a 97 jeep cherokee with dana 30 front and Chrysler 8.25 in the rear. the cherokee has a 4.5 inch rough country lift. I'm pulling the engine and transmission out to sell from the cherokee, I sold the axles and body to a friend. My question, can I take the lift off of the cherokee and put it on the comanche? I the only problem i can see is the difference with the dana 35 and Chrysler 8.25 however different U joints should fix that right? anyone ever done this? anyone got any advise or tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDirtyJeep401 Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Cherokee's have different leaf springs and perchs, they are the same in the front though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 The front will work. Take a measurement from center of spring perch to center of spring perch on both axle's and that will answer your question.....I think if i remember right the 8.24 is a bit wider. (and of course the axle will go under the spring so your stock springs will possibly not need to be changed as you will get lift from the under axle positioning) I am not sure I understand your u-joint question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 In addition to the above, the MJ leaf packs are longer than the XJ's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350MJ Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share Posted December 11, 2013 Sorry I meant to say U-bolts not U-joints. So do you think that I could put the spring over axle then do an add-a-leaf to make up the extra? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 going spring-over can yield 5-6 inches of lift. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Go spring over axle in the rear, use the 4.5" spring with 1.75" spacers on the front should sit close to level. If they are not adjustable you may have to get different control arms and track bar, though. Other option is to use the 4.5" front lift, and get a 4.5" lift spring pack from Hell Creek for the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Sorry I meant to say U-bolts not U-joints. So do you think that I could put the spring over axle then do an add-a-leaf to make up the extra? If you can get the u-bolts off alive ......you should be able to re-use them....a simple calculation for how much lift the SOA will give can be done by measuring from the bottom of the axle to the top of the perch then adding the pack measurement (keep in mind this does not account for normal spring sag ). i don't think you will need to add a leaf I think you will end up with about 5.5" sitting in the driveway.....put your 4.5 on the front and you might like the raked stance.....or put in a thicker upper spring isolator to level it out. You will still have to re-position the perches on the 8.25 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebvance Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 You are never suppose to reuse U-Bolts. They are a stretchable bolt just like a head bolt. Once they are used they strech to insure a strong tight bond and will not back out. Once they are used once and stretched the bolts are compromised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 :agree: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Order some new springs from Hell Creek for the back with some new u-bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitroxsteve Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 You are never suppose to reuse U-Bolts. They are a stretchable bolt just like a head bolt. Once they are used they strech to insure a strong tight bond and will not back out. Once they are used once and stretched the bolts are compromised. x2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 You have to change the spring pads on the axle anyways. I did 1.5" inboard on each side when I did mine 11 years ago on my D35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350MJ Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thanks for the advise everyone. One more question, what steering linkage do I need to take off the lifted Xj to put on my MJ when the lft finally gets swaped over? I pulled everything today and sold a lot of stuff. The guy is coming to pick up the axles tomorrow but I can keep any linkage still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee21490 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 You are never suppose to reuse U-Bolts. They are a stretchable bolt just like a head bolt. Once they are used they strech to insure a strong tight bond and will not back out. Once they are used once and stretched the bolts are compromised. XJ and MJ u-bolts are not torque to yield meaning that they are not purposely stretched during installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 If they are at all rusty, don't reuse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Steering linkage is identical between XJ and MJ. But if you will take it offroad, the thin wall hollow tube tie rod will be an issue. A solid tie rod out of a V8 Grand Cherokee 1993-1998 will be a direct swap and is much stronger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a4xnut Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 If the XJ has an aftermarket track bar that went with the lift, be sure you hang onto that for your transformation. Same goes for control arms, shocks and check the brake lines, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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