Bonkers Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 (I'm sure this has been asked a million times. Searching on a smartphone is not the easiest thing to do on this site, sorry) Planning on picking up an 88 2wd next month, right now condition is unknown. At the very least I would like her to be 4x4, but searching through the threads here it seems everyone is focused on HO/gauge swaps as well. I wouldnt mind HO, but I'm looking for as cheap and simple as i can get - she is NOT my grand project. An AX15 would also be on my list. That being said, what would be the easiest drivetrain to search for as a donor swap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 If you're only looking for an AX15 and 4WD, then your best bet would be to look at a '94 - '99 XJ as those will be external slaved. But you can get an internal slaved AX15 from a '89.5 - '93. I pieced mine together. My AX15 is from a '96 but the transfer case (NP242) is from a '92. Just make sure you grab the crossmember, all of the transfer case levers and linkages, front drive shaft, etc. As for front axle, you can get any high pinion Dana 30 you want, but for simplicity and to not have the additional issues with the vacuum CAD system, look for a later model D30. Make sure you match the gear ratio of your current rear axle to that of the front you obtain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 As for front axle, you can get any high pinion Dana 30 you want...... Just for clarity they also put a high-pinion D30 front under the YJ and it is not an easy swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 As for front axle, you can get any high pinion Dana 30 you want...... Just for clarity they also put a high-pinion D30 front under the YJ and it is not an easy swap. You're correct and I should have probably been more specific. I was still thinking about using an XJ for parts (since I specified for the rest of the parts) but I can see how that may have been confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkers Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 So a front D30 from an XJ would be "easy?" I have leads on an 01 and 99 XJ, so for simplicity and speed the 99 should theoretically be my best bet for this project? I'm hoping the motor is still good in her, shes been sitting alot longer than i would have liked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 The 2000 XJ D30 is low pinion and is not as a strong due to the standard rotation of the ring and pinion. It will work and is 100% bolt in, but I'd recommend that '99 XJ D30 as it is high pinion, reverse rotation (stronger design). But yes, any D30 from an XJ is 100% bolt in to our MJs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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