F&R axle swap ideas??

[watchamakalit]

16 minutes ago, Pete M said:

 

 

permanently fixing the CAD can be a 10 minute job.   but the late model shafts will give you the bigger ujoints, so they are a good choice for later.

 

 

I would vote cv shaft conversion.

[JIMMYRIG]

Gotcha. So 97+ xj shafts will work. What about zj? I havent seen any 97+ at my local JY in a while

[ghetdjc320]

Just a note as well if you do end up trying to source another front axle, late production XJ’s also went to the low pinion Dana 30 axle which is less desireable. A KJ liberty 8.25 is a great axle but will require a decent amount of cutting and welding to get it to fit as will most axle swaps. A rear YJ axle should be pretty close to bolt-in as well but were also just D35’s, though up to 89 they had bolt in axles. 

[ghetdjc320]

3 minutes ago, JIMMYRIG said:

Gotcha. So 97+ xj shafts will work. What about zj? I havent seen any 97+ at my local JY in a while

TJ shafts and any single piece XJ shafts will work. XJ’s with ABS tended to have single piece shafts even pre 97.  ZJ shafts are mostly cv shafts but there are a few that had u joint shafts that work.

[Eagle_SX4]

Any XJ Cherokee with the 242 transfer case will have the single piece shafts. Saw an 87 XJ Wagoneer with the 242 and non cad axle in a junkyard once.

[75sv1]

Back to the Ford 8.8. Many come with a Limited Slip, 4.10 or 3.73 and disc brakes. There is a HD version. Ford guys rate them for 400 HP. Not sure if that is with upgraded shafts or not. For some reason, I plan to put a Ford 8.8 for the front axle. It will be a lot of fab work though. And some upgrade to carbon fiber clutch pack in the LS for wheeling. I haven't done that yet. 

     Also, think about the level of wheeling you plan to do. 

[Crash]

I have an explorer 8.8 in my MJ, 3.73 and LSD, was free to me.   I had a local shop I dealt with cut stock perches and weld new perches on in correct position for less than 100$. even the factory explorer plates with stud work for the shocks. 

My original turdy5 had exploded on the beach. 

It is slightly narrower wms,  which may be okay with aftermarket offset wheels. However, I have synergy suspension wheel adapters to run JK 17s. 

 

For the front I an running a 04 WJ D30 matched gearing and lsd. It is wider, however basically plug n pray. 

LCA mounts I used washers to offset width vs the CA. I also had to modify my existing RE 1660 track bar. And am running a WJ pitman arm and JKS WJ drag link with Moog oe wj the. 

Most know the upgrades wj steering and brakes offer. 

The axle had only cost me 50$ with a ballistic fab diff cover. 

 

[89 MJ]

4 minutes ago, Crash said:

 

I have an explorer 8.8 in my MJ, 3.73 and LSD, was free to me.   I had a local shop I dealt with cut stock perches and weld new perches on in correct position for less than 100$. even the factory explorer plates with stud work for the shocks. 

 

This is the route I went in my MJ. I actually used an Explorer Sport Trac 8.8, which is a little bit wider than an MJ rear. The only problem with it is the size of the pumpkin. You can run a much smaller tire on an 8.25 or Super D35 and have the same ground clearance as you do with an 8.8.