'99 XJ AXLES

XJ_HORNE

New Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Location
Pelzer,sc
I am wondering if anyone has or know anyone who has axles I can swap out with 4:10 gears. I have 3:55's now, My rear is chry. 8 1/4 and front dana 30. How far back can i go with model years and still do a strait swap?http://cardomain.com/ride/478784 :driver:
'99 XJ 4 1/2" lift 31x10.50x15 yokahama geolander ATII's Custom Bumpers and a whistling roof rack
 
All Cherokees the same

All years of Cherokees,(small XJ body style) from 1985 to 2001 have common front and rear mounting, so all years can do a straight swap over on axles.

If you are interested in 4:10 gears, the old 4 cylinder models came with them stock. Remember, however, the Dana 35 is the most common rear in the XJ and is much weaker than your current 8 1/4, so to do that swap just to get the 410s would be a move in the wrong direction.

There are several people in the area that can do gear swaps. Your current axles are a good base. Just do a gear swap be done with it.

If you have more XJ questions give me a shout or go to NAXJA.org, it is all Cherokee.
 
Early XJ's

Only the early XJs with 4 cyl got 410s, and to the best of my knowledge they were all Dana 35s. Heavy Duty back then was the rare XJ 44, 8.25s didn't become an option till later as the replacement for XJ44 when you ordered the heavier duty package than the Dana 35.

So unfortunately to get 410 you will need to do a gear swap. If you are going to a 32 or 33 tire you will want to go 456 gears.
 
just math

456 gears will run 11% higher than 410's. If you are at 2000 rpm with 410s youwill be at 2220 rpm with 456s.

4 liter XJ is in the power band somewhere in the 2200 to 2500 rpm range. That is where you will want to be if running highway speeds.

I really liked the 456 gears with 32s on my XJ with the automatic.
 
Cool MotorMan, I really appreciate the info. How different are TJ axles from XJ axles, is it the width? Also do you know if a trans case from a Rubicon would bolt in where my 231 is or just need an adapter? That would be awesome!!
 
different

The front D30 mounts the same.
The rear axle on a TJ has coil springs, you have leaf springs.
So there would be welding required, etc. If that's the case, go with an 8.8, much better axle than a 35 and cheaper than a 44 from a TJ.
So in summary, the front d30 from a TJ wouldn't be difficult to put in.
The rear axle from a TJ would be MUCH harder than doing a gear swap.
Plus, the 8.25 axle is a pretty decent axle.
But if you are going 4.56, you may as well just do the gear swap in both.

Cheers.
 
you wouldn't want a tj dana 30 though, as your front is high pinion and tjs lowest gears are 3.73 unless you get the rubi front 44 which came 4.11 that will work fine with a 44 rear you could find out of an old xj and then gear it to 4.10.
But if you just want to go to 32s, I would say keep your stock axles and regear. good luck.
 
ahh yes, that it true but I still would rather pay to regear and keep a HP 30 rather than buy a LP 30 with the gears already in it.
 
Thanks everybody for the info. Anyone know about the Rubi atlas trans whether it is a direct bolt in for my 231 or not?
 
Rubi transfer case isn't an Atlas.
Very very different beasts.
But definately true about HP up front, if he has a HP30 up front. I didn't think the later Xj's were hp30s? Or I could be on crack here (Don't have an XJ, and Jeep does strange things but I could have sworn my buddies was LP30 but he got it from his mom, and who knows what she paid the dealership to do to it)


The "Rock-Trac" is what the put in the Rubicons, also know as a NP241 would be similar? But for 32s, and wheeling around here, I don't see the need for the 4 to 1. You'd be better getting your axles regeared. But I think it should fit, assuming the same transmission output shaft? But don't hold me to that.
I'd get an SYE for your tcase, and new driveshaft and be done with it.
 
00-01 XJ's have a LP Ddana 30, there is a case(carrier) break so in order to install 4.10 or 4.56's you would need a new differential case for 3.73 or lower gears. I wouldn't bother to regear for 4.10's unless you plan on only running a 31-32" tire 33 and larger go with 4.56's you'll be happier.
I have heard the NV241 Rock trac will bolt in I have not done the swap myself.
I have a set of 4.56's for a low pinion 30 from my TJ that I sold after I swapped in Dana 44 due to a crack in my housing.
 
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