Dzimm Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Just wondering what others have done for the driveshafts of their 97+ MJs with 4.0 aw4. Most of what I have seen are full custom shafts at a few hundred a pop. I'm looking at staying on the more affordable side. I'm nearing the point of test drive in mine and am wondering weather I should just buy a used factory front ds for $50 or have one made up for $$$. From what I understand it should be totally fine to run the factory front ds with 4.5" of lift, which I'm planning. As for the rear, the factory xj shaft I have is a little long so I either need it shortened or have a new one made. I am planning on 4.5" of lift, as stated above, and I want to avoid a TC drop so I've been looking for options. I believe I will get driveline vibes with a shortened xj shaft at 4.5" so I went and found Tom Woods custom double cardon slip yoke shafts. http://www.4xshaft.com/index.html I am wondering if anyone has gone this route or anyone think there would be any problems having a little extra weight on the slip yoke with the double cardon. This is really the only affordable route I can find to reduce driveline angle without the TC drop. I know I could go with an SYE but obviously that gets very expensive. Really any input is appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Driveline angle is no real problem even with the factory u-joint arrangement due the wheelbase. A t -case drop is not necessary . I am SOA without one with no issues. It sounds like you did a conversion to 4x4. If so a stock front shaft will be fine. For the rear have your factory shaft shortened. It is much cheaper. If you can't use your original then find a junk yard shaft with the same u-joints and have it shortened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 I actually bought it gutted so there was no drivetrain. It was 4x4 originally thankfully so no axle swap. Anyhow I've heard plenty of people say they ended up having to use a TC drop on MJs because of vibes and many people say they haven't. And having to shorten the XJ driveshaft is going to make vibes more likely due to the shorter shaft and steeper angle, which is why I'm concerned. Either way I'm going to have to have work done to the shaft so I'm leaning more towards the double cardon just to eliminate the chance for vibes all together and not have to pay for the shaft twice. But I'm a little worried that will put stress on the output shaft of the TC because of the added weight of the double cardon. When I lifted my XJ 3" I had to use a TC drop because of vibes and I really don't like how low that put the crossmember, and being my DD, it couldn't be down to install an SYE. I know the longer trucks are far less likely to get vibes with moderate lift but having to shorten an XJ shaft makes me almost sure I'll get vibes just because pretty much all XJs get vibes with 3+" due to the short driveshaft and steeper angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I have put adjustable spring perches on my Chrysler 8.25, it has extra holes in it to lengthen or shorten the wheel base by an inch. Can't tell you how well it works yet, I still have the 2wd ax15 in there, but I figure that plus the SOA, I should be ok for length. I also set me pinion angle at 6°, so I should be good for angle, but you could always shim your axle to change your pinion angle if you need to. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanLemons Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I'm sorry. I'm little confused here Rear XJ driveshaft need to be shortened in order to be installed on a MJ? Isn't MJ driveshafts much longer than XJ ones? So wouldn't that mean XJ driveshafts need to be lengthened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 That's what I was expecting as well but once the aw4 and TC were installed, the driveshaft is too long by like 1-2" unless I'm mistaking it with the MJ driveshaft (it came in the bed of the truck when I bought it and everything was XJ parts I was told). I'll compare it to my XJ today to see about the length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 My MJ drive shaft is way longer than an XJ shaft. But that's because it's behind a 2WD ax15. Once I put in the 4x4 ax15 WITH the transfer case on the back, it will be closer to fitting the XJ shaft. You will just have to try it and see, I have heard some people report they could use the stock length xj shaft because of the amount of lift, combined with the pinion angle they had. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Do you have a Spring over Axle conversion in the rear? I got 6" of lift in the rear with that. How are you planning on lifting the rear? Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 I'm going with the 4.5" lift from Hell Creek. I was hoping to drive it before I lifted it but that may not be the best route since I may have to have the driveshaft modified. I will check the shaft I have against my XJ to be sure which vehicle it came from and then try to guesstimate the lift height and driveline length on the truck to see where that puts it. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll just fit at that height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 If you do need the drive shaft shortened, the cheapest way to do it would be to take a stock drive shaft to a shop along with measurements and get them to shorten and balance it. Some heavy truck shops can do the job, you might be able to get it done for cash. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 Well right but I'm trying to avoid doing it twice. If I go get it shortened to drive it and then a month later lift it and have to go back and get it lengthened kind of is pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Well right but I'm trying to avoid doing it twice. If I go get it shortened to drive it and then a month later lift it and have to go back and get it lengthened kind of is pointless.You won't need to get it lengthened. I have 6" of lift in the back with adjustable antiwrap spring perches and the stock XJ shaft MIGHT fit without being shortened. You also have some adjustment on the slip yoke, but not a huge amount. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 There is no way an XJ shaft (101" wheelbase) will need to be shortened to fit an MJ shortbed (113" wheelbase). You must have an MJ shaft of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 That's about a foot difference in wheelbase, which isn't all that far off the length of a transfer case. It's not the first time I've seen people say a 2wd XJ shaft is close to a 4x4 SWB shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 OK I just looked and I definitely have the MJ shaft. After looking at them side by side it is very obvious. I think I'm just going to lift it then hope my shaft fits and if not I will just get it lengthened or shortened. That just puts off getting to finally drive it! Ugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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