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ZJ D30 Interchangeable?


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All the suspension is the same so it’ll bolt in, but it’s low pinion. Just remember where it came from when ordering parts. Brakes, hubs, knuckles and suspension will be the same as a ‘91+ XJ. If it’s out of a 5.2 ZJ, it’ll most likely have 3.73 gears, 4.0’s generally came with 3.55.

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Might be some Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee confusion going on? Since it’s got 4.10 gears there’s a good chance it didn’t start out in the vehicle it was last under. But either way, the xj and zj axle will interchange, at least as an assembly. Your knuckles etc will swap over to it if it doesn’t come with, although you’ll need to source the one-piece passenger side shaft.

If it’s a good price it’s probably a good deal, factoring in missing components. If it’s a backyard rebuild with new gears you’ll want to double check the contact pattern before running it.

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I put one in an XJ, recently. The ZJ does have a cam bolt for the lower arms. Just be ware of it. It is actually a good feature. I did upgrade to an aftermarket bracket. I went with ARES initially. The guy doing the welding had some RE brackets, I think. For this build, they fit the bill. My next build will get the ARES. He also welded in washers to make the rear XJ adjustments fixed. I hear they don't get adjusted or are an issue for some shops for alignments. The XJ setup that is.

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The axle assemblies interchange from inner C to inner C. Gear ratios must match your rear axle of course.

 

The axle in the photo is high pinion. 

High vs low pinion is another discussion. Not a huge deal for most folks in the way they use their Jeeps. 

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A few clarifications upon closer reading of the sales ad. Seller bought it from a rebuilder that had put 4.10s, was going to put it under HIS 94 ZJ, so didn't necessarily come from a ZJ. Messaged him for some clarification. Doesn't appear to come with axle shafts etc, but looks like new ball joints and control arm bushings. Never was mounted/installed in his ZJ. Asking $350

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2 minutes ago, WahooSteeler said:

A few clarifications upon closer reading of the sales ad. Seller bought it from a rebuilder that had put 4.10s, was going to put it under HIS 94 ZJ, so didn't necessarily come from a ZJ. Messaged him for some clarification. Doesn't appear to come with axle shafts etc, but looks like new ball joints and control arm bushings. Never was mounted/installed in his ZJ. Asking $350

$350 seems steep to me for an incomplete D30. He probably has more than that in it, but it still seems steep.

If you wanted 4.10s, you could use car-part.com to find a 4 cyl MJ or XJ 4x4. Many of those had 4.10 gears and would bolt right in. You could probably get that axle for sub $200 and then but new control arm bushings and ball joints in. All said and done, finding a complete axle would probably be the cheaper option.

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I look at at Car-Parts. They did have two listed at $375. Then it jumped to $700. I did look at pictures on Car-Parts of a '97 ZJ D30. It did look to be LP. If you can get a picture of the lower control arm bracket. That should tell. Also, TJs had the cam bolt lower control arm brackets. 

     Price without axles, would depend on weather I was to upgrade or put new ones in. Also, with the Hub bearings and brake parts. 

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I check car-part.com every so often and have bought parts off of there in the past. I am interested in this axle because it has been rebuilt by a shop and has 0 miles on it. Getting one from a yard carries more risk, ranted not much more risk than a used one on FB or Clist, but still. And let's not lose sight of the fact he is ASKING $350. I've been known to negotiate a good deal or two, and the fact he is moving 1000 miles and can't take it with him........there may be a deal to be had. :brows:

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5 minutes ago, WahooSteeler said:

I check car-part.com every so often and have bought parts off of there in the past. I am interested in this axle because it has been rebuilt by a shop and has 0 miles on it. Getting one from a yard carries more risk, ranted not much more risk than a used one on FB or Clist, but still. And let's not lose sight of the fact he is ASKING $350. I've been known to negotiate a good deal or two, and the fact he is moving 1000 miles and can't take it with him........there may be a deal to be had. :brows:

I would agree with your point that it is new. In my mind D30s with 4:10s would bring $600, or at least used to. The cost to regear might be the asking price. I think if you're looking for new, it would be a deal. Just, add up the cost of axle shafts etc. Then if you get one from the yard, as I think you are pointing out, what $$ is hub bearings, ball joints, brakes U-joints. Yes, I just went that route over the Summer. 

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Yeah, with a used axle realistically you might be able to reuse the shafts and knuckles, beyond what you have here, but you’re probably going to want to go through and put in all new bearings and seals anyhow. New gears and a pro install are more than his asking price... doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me at all, especially if you can talk him down. Might even be something fancy in the middle of it if he paid to have it built for a project.

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2 hours ago, gogmorgo said:

New gears and a pro install are more than his asking price... 

That was why it seems reasonably priced to me. No locker on it, which I prefer it had one but is not a big deal. I don't wheel my truck, 4wd is mainly for winter and some mild trail running. I have a TrueTrac waiting to go in my rear when I re-gear it. 

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