rsmecham Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 My current Dana 30 in my '86 has a bent axle housing, making it impossible to get my axle shafts back in after I was replacing a seal. Anyways, tomorrow I'm headed to the junkyard to pull a Dana 30 off a '98 Cherokee. I can't think of any major problems with doing this swap, but wanted to double check and get input from everyone on here, as I know there are probably many that have done something similar or know things I don't. I will most likely be using my original carrier with a new locker so that my gearing matches. Anyways, as the title states, anything I need to know?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted August 8, 2021 Share Posted August 8, 2021 The knuckles and brake calipers will be different than the 86. When you purchase front brakes, be sure to order part for the year of the axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 11 minutes ago, 87MJTIM said: The knuckles and brake calipers will be different than the 86. When you purchase front brakes, be sure to order part for the year of the axle. When I search for part numbers both come up the same. Is that a mistake on my '86 you think? Or are they the same? I thought they were the same but as I said most people on here know way more than me including you most likely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 What gear ratio? No, the knuckles and brakes are not the same. Your '86 knuckles are valuable, do not discard those. As stated, from now on you will purchase brakes and unit bearings for a '98. Everything else is the same, steering and ball joints and tie rod ends.....etc....... Also your '98 axle shafts will interchange but ujoint size is larger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 19 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: What gear ratio? Sorry didn’t see this. I have 3.54 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 22 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: Your '86 knuckles are valuable, do not discard those. I’ve got a couple of pairs of those knuckles now. Put some up for sale before but no one wants them. Most don’t know what can be done with them. Seen so many just trashed. To the OP, your front driveshaft may need to be rebalanced since it will turn all the time now. You’ll also need to eliminate the old vacuum lines running to the front axle. Keep in mind also that a gear swap from another D30 will require a full gear install. You can't just leave the same bearings and shims on the ring and pinion and install it on the new axle. It may be close though. Be sure to check all the specs such as backlash, pinion depth, bearing preload and contact patterns. Used gears can be finicky when swapped to another housing. What ratio is currently in the 98 axle? And yes, you will need new brakes. Here is a really nice kit with quality components: https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.com/XJ-4WD-90-98-Front-Black-Magic-Brake-Pad-Calipers-Rotors-XJ-477-14258021-14258022-67022.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 4 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said: Put some up for sale before but no one wants them They don't want them until there are no more. And soon, there will be no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 8 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: They don't want them until there are no more. And soon, there will be no more. I’m not sure how well the market will pick them up. It’s true there will eventually be no more but even the aftermarket stopped making them. People wanting to drop $1k on a big brake kit don’t typically modify a D30. They go with a bigger and stronger axle. Not sure but I doubt these knuckles will ever be worth much. Even Vanco had stopped using these knuckles when they were available o the aftermarket for $50/ea new and instead made an adapter bracket for the 90+ style. They use a similar style aftermarket knuckle now. There is also the WJ swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 10 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said: I’m not sure how well the market will pick them up. It’s true there will eventually be no more but even the aftermarket stopped making them. People wanting to drop $1k on a big brake kit don’t typically modify a D30. They go with a bigger and stronger axle. Not sure but I doubt these knuckles will ever be worth much. Even Vanco had stopped using these knuckles when they were available o the aftermarket for $50/ea new and instead made an adapter bracket for the 90+ style. They use a similar style aftermarket knuckle now. There is also the WJ swap. I know what is happening......maybe another thread to discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 36 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said: I’ve got a couple of pairs of those knuckles now. Put some up for sale before but no one wants them. Most don’t know what can be done with them. Seen so many just trashed. To the OP, your front driveshaft may need to be rebalanced since it will turn all the time now. You’ll also need to eliminate the old vacuum lines running to the front axle. Keep in mind also that a gear swap from another D30 will require a full gear install. You can't just leave the same bearings and shims on the ring and pinion and install it on the new axle. It may be close though. Be sure to check all the specs such as backlash, pinion depth, bearing preload and contact patterns. Used gears can be finicky when swapped to another housing. What ratio is currently in the 98 axle? And yes, you will need new brakes. Here is a really nice kit with quality components: https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.com/XJ-4WD-90-98-Front-Black-Magic-Brake-Pad-Calipers-Rotors-XJ-477-14258021-14258022-67022.htm I'm not sure about the ratio on the current axle, we are going to pull it tomorrow morning as the plan for today fell through. I'm hoping that they are the same just so I have some extra parts. I tried to figure out the gear ratio through the VIN but you can't. And I was planning on checking all the specs again. Also, what would I even do with the knuckles that you are referring to? Thanks for the link. At least the axle will be out from under the truck now so getting the carrier back in and shimmed should be much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 3 minutes ago, rsmecham said: I'm not sure about the ratio on the current axle, we are going to pull it tomorrow morning as the plan for today fell through. I'm hoping that they are the same just so I have some extra parts. I tried to figure out the gear ratio through the VIN but you can't. And I was planning on checking all the specs again. Also, what would I even do with the knuckles that you are referring to? Thanks for the link. At least the axle will be out from under the truck now so getting the carrier back in and shimmed should be much easier. Just remove the knuckles from your existing 86 axle and hold on to them. You can discard the rest of the housing though. If the 98 axle is a 6cyl auto it likely has 3.55 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 20 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: I know what is happening......maybe another thread to discuss. Yeah for sure! Interesting stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 3 minutes ago, ghetdjc320 said: Just remove the knuckles from your existing 86 axle and hold on to them. You can discard the rest of the housing though. If the 98 axle is a 6cyl auto it likely has 3.55 gears. Both Cherokees that are on the lot I'm going to are manual. My dad has a buddy who owns a 4x4 shop though. Might have them do the gear install and driveshaft rebalancing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 9 minutes ago, rsmecham said: Both Cherokees that are on the lot I'm going to are manual what year and what engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 7 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: what year and what engine? They are each the 4.0. 1995 and 1998 are the years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 8 hours ago, rsmecham said: Both Cherokees that are on the lot I'm going to are manual. Likely to have 3.07 gears not the 3.55 gears you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 10 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: Likely to have 3.07 gears not the 3.55 gears you have. They had the 3.55! However I still bought a locker so I’m going to inspect the carrier in this one. I feel bad, the car we pulled it from was obviously taken care of very well. But, a very good thing in regards to the axle. I’m hoping the carrier is in good shape so I only have to swap the locker over to the new carrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 2 hours ago, rsmecham said: They had the 3.55! However I still bought a locker so I’m going to inspect the carrier in this one. I feel bad, the car we pulled it from was obviously taken care of very well. But, a very good thing in regards to the axle. I’m hoping the carrier is in good shape so I only have to swap the locker over to the new carrier. You may want to double check. Pretty sure the 4.0 with AX15 came with 3.07 gears. Someone else could chime in on that but I'm pretty certain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: You may want to double check. Pretty sure the 4.0 with AX15 came with 3.07 gears. Someone else could chime in on that but I'm pretty certain. Maybe they regeared then? It’s written on the tag. I guess I won’t know for sure until I count on the inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 Currently in the process of painting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxyjeep Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that looks like a low pinion axle, not from a 98 (which was high pinion from the factory). You may want to return or swap it out if you can. LP D30 is one of the worst axles out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 10 hours ago, Chargum85 said: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that looks like a low pinion axle, not from a 98 (which was high pinion from the factory). You may want to return or swap it out if you can. LP D30 is one of the worst axles out there. The pinion is above the centerline though? Unless I’m mistaken this means it is HP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 I should also mention, I ended up having to pull it off the '95. I checked their website the day before and they said they still had the '98, but I think either someone bought it or they moved it somewhere else because when we got there it was no longer in their system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxyjeep Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 That’s a high pinion for sure. Your first pics were deceiving.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsmecham Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 13 minutes ago, Chargum85 said: That’s a high pinion for sure. Your first pics were deceiving. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk You had me nervous too looking at my pictures Luckily my dad had sent me some last night that I was able to review. On another note, does anyone have any info on a Dana 30 DIY truss? I've tried poking around looking for some info other than metal sizes that people have used, but haven't found much. If anyone knows of a template, I would appreciate a link or something sent my way. If not, does anyone have any recommendations for what design, size etc. is best? I am ok with sizing it up and doing it all myself, but more info is always better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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