i want to replace the axel in my 98 cherokee its a d35 with 3.07. i NEED either higher gears like 4.10 or 4.11 is really what im shooting for. but i need some help in identifying what axel i can get that will bolt right up or if i need to just go buy gears and just swap out the gears. alot of people have been sayin to find a 4cyl jeep and take the axels out of them but what years with (if they even will) bolt up w/o alot of fab.?

im new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Higher numbered gears are actually lower gears. For example, 4.10's are lower than your 3.07's.

Find a 4 cylider XJ and it will most likely have 4.10's in it. The axles will be a direct swap for your axles. No fab is necessary.

Try to locate a '97-'99 model with a Chrysler 8.25 rear. The front axle is still high pinion and has the larger 297 u-joints. Earlier front axles had smaller u-joints and '00-'01's were low pinion, which is weaker and has less ground clearance. Also, the rear 8.25 will be a 29 spline which is stronger than the earlier 27 spline axles.

Since you are swapping, stay away from the D35. I would not bother regearing your existing D35. They aren't worth putting any $ into them. You could regear the front, but if you can find a donor vehicle, just grab both axles and swap them in.

 

is that a d35 ami correct in saying that or no? so all i need is a 97-99 4cyl cherokee 8.25 with the 4.10 gears and im good?

 

 

That is a Chrysler 8.25. It is way better than a D35, but not as strong as a D44. Based on your year XJ, it should be a 29 spline 8.25, which isn't a bad axle.

You could regear the axles you have. If you don't have the ability to do it yourself, it would probably be cheaper to find 4.10's out of a 4 cylinder and swap the entire units.

Do you see that your axle housing is flat on the bottom and kind of sticks out beyond the bottom radius of your cover? That is a 8.25.

OKCJEEPER posted this pic in another post. Hope it helps.

 

how hard would just swappin the gears to 4.10's be? or should i just find the 8.25 out of a 97-99 4 banger and swap em?

 

Changing a ring and pinion is best left to a pro if you have never done it before. It's not brain surgery, but does require special tools. It would probably not be worth the investment if you are only going to do it once or twice.

If you can find donor axles, the swap is as easy as installing a lift.

 

you could pick up 2 axles for the price of one re-gear job (well just about) and you can do it yourself. i picked up my dana 44 in a junkyard for $500 but still had to regear it to 4.56, but u can get the crysler 8.25 and a hp dana30 for probobly $1000 for both in a nice junkyard, or even cheaper like my brother did ($200 for both a front and rear axle) from some guy parting out his 97 XJ.

 

He's right. I picked up front and rear 4.10's out of a '99 w/60k miles for $600.

 

would i be able to put like the 8.25 in the back and a dana 35 inthe front as long aas they both have the same gears? cauz im havin a hell of a time trying to find a 97-99 8.25 with 4.10's

 

A Chrysler 8.25 and a Dana 35 are both rear axles. You could not put a Dana 35 in the front.

 

then how about a dana 30?

 

The Dana 30 is the only axle ever put under the front of a XJ. So if you find the 4 cyl model you are looking for it will have a D30. The 00 and 01 models have a low pinion D30 that is much less desirable than the 84-99 high pinion D30.

 

i really want a 99-97 4 banger with the 8.25 in the back 30 in the front and 4.10 gears and i cant seem to find one!

 

does it matter what year 8.25 rear i find will they all bolt up?