Giving a 21 year old motor some more pep.

[Pete M]

I have a stock '89 with the 4.0 & 5-speed. I have no plans to lift it, but would like to gain more power. What kind of gear change would you suggest?

 

Lastly what would the impact on MPG be?

 

I would go with 3.55 axles. They are the most common (and easy to find) XJ setup out there and you'll definitely feel a bit of kick off the line. I went from 3.07s to 3.55 in my 88 (back when it was 2wd) and it felt like a whole new truck.

[robfg67]

Guys, what's your take on this auction item from eBay?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-rin ... .m20.l1116

[Pete M]

That's just a kit. Then you've got labor charges on top of it.

And I can get a whole XJ axle for half of that (or less) and the gears are already set up for you. :D

Please don't ever spend money on a Dana 35. :( (except for fresh gear oil and brake parts, those are acceptable :D )

[BLHTAZ]

Guys, what's your take on this auction item from eBay?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-rin ... .m20.l1116

That is the expensive part that I was referring to earlier...if you do a gear change that way. That's a good price if it comes with all the bearings and stuff to install it, but payng someone that knows how to do the job is going to get you as gears are NOT something that the average guy can do and those that know how usually charge dearly for it.

[robfg67]

Yeah, I'm getting the sense that this job is WAY over my head.

[Randy in Maine]

Yeah, I'm getting the sense that this job is WAY over my head.

 

Correctly sized tires (205/75/15) were a help for mine.

[robfg67]

Guys, What is your opinion on this available axle on Craigslist? It's a complete rear end out of a 2000 Ford Explorer with 3.73 gears and a factory limited slip differential-complete with disk brakes.

 

Will this swap-out with my '89 Comanche with the 4.0, 5-speed, and standard factory rear drum brakes?

 

 

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/597868223.html

[Cougar Bait]

if your trck is 4x4 and you have 3.73 gears in it now i whould say yes it is a fair deal, i've heard out west the ford 8.8 is starting to go for $600-800.

 

i paid $250 for a 2001 in hawaii and it had no brake pads

i did this swap on my tj it was only cheaper cause i didnt have to swap gears.

now weldin spring pads for leaf springs is of course going to be less work as the tj has coils, control arm brackets, and the purchase of that kit was $400

i think M.O.R.E offroad has a kit for the 8.8 in to the xj

good luck i realy liked the out come of my ford 8.8

[Pete M]

Finding a matching front axle can be hard. :(

[robfg67]

At the risk of sounding stupid, if I use this Ford axle do I need to change the front axle?

[Oizarod115]

At the risk of sounding stupid, if I use this Ford axle do I need to change the front axle?

 

if your truck is 4 wheel drive you'll need to change the gear ratios to match each other (you can wait to do this until you have the money but DO NOT use 4x4 and i would suggest pulling the front driveshaft if you don't match the ratios so the urge doesn't get the best of you

 

but other than the gearing being different or if its 2wd there's no reason to change the front axle

[robfg67]

The truck is 4WD. I understad the issue now that you explained it.

[robfg67]

Ok, I won't let this post die.

 

I found a guy in New Hampshire who has an 8.25 rear axle that came out of a '99 Cherokee with 3.55 gears and is an open differential. He said it will need rear brakes. He is asking $200.

 

He also has a front axle with matching 3.55 gears for an additional $200.

 

Is this a good deal?

[BLHTAZ]

I would call it a good deal... $400 for two axles and all you have to do is weld some spring perches on the rear for your MJ and maybe brakes :cheers: .

[robfg67]

BLHTAZ, I understand that changing out gears is best left to the repair shop, but do you think a modest wrench could change axles?

 

Have you done this before?