nigel4400

So to start i'm a bit of a newbie, i'm only 16 and for the most part I know what i'm doing. I just got a 6.5 inch lift in my jeep with 35 's, and I've been hearing all over "oh swap your axles out, there gonna break!" Does anyone have some ideas of what to do, and how to it? I heard swapping a ford explorer axle for the dana 35 in the back would be good, and getting chrome molly shafts for the dana 30 up font. Thanks guys!

CheapCherokee

yes, you can swap in a ford 8.8 from an exploder for more strenght. BUT, you need to weld on spring perches and shock mounts, modify the parking brake and driveshaft, and you'll proly wanna weld the tubes, so this is no bolt in swap. but when all is said and done its well worth it! and on 35s you are reaalllyyy pushing your stock axles. chromo axles probably wont break in the front 30, but you'll proly end up breaking gear stuff, so a d44 would be ideal. but on a 16 yr old budget just stick with the D30.

ProudXjOwner

I would go with a D44 out of another xj or even a chrysler 8.25 so ther would be no fab work just and easy bolt up.

Rock Toy

Yes, the 8.8 is the way to go if you're going to swap the rear axle. There will be some fab but nothing major, and you will end up with an axle that will handle anything you throw at it in a Cherokee. I don't know what gears you are running but the 8.8 was available with 4.10 gears so if you decide on running 4.10s you will not have to regear which would cost more than the mods to get the axle mounted. Depending on where you live cost for a 8.8 with 31 spline, 4.10, disc braked axles are between 175.00 and 300.00. Not bad for something with almost Dana 60 strength.

rich

thumbs up you got the right idea so far

nigel4400

Cool thanks a lot guys! So if i were to get an 8.8 or something, would the bolt pattern change, because for example i know if i got a dana 44 out of a wagoner or something, the pattern would be different. I really like the wheels i got so i want to try and keep em. Oh yeah where should i be looking to buy one of these axles, i know there's more than a few wreckers around where i live, or would an axle shop be the way to go??

johns91xj

explorer 8.8 in rear and non disco high pinion dana 30 front both can be found with 4 10 gears i think even 4 56 gears

A_Jeepr

I personally have never seen a D30 actually come apart wheeling, I do know the pinion bearings go out in them, but other than that they are a stout axle assembly.

I have been playing with Jeeps and 4X4s for 8 years (im almost 20 years now) I have seen a lot done a lot. My advice to you kiddo is don't swap unless you break it.

johns91xj

me and this guy think a like why replace it if it works

johns91xj

and hes right about the d30 its a great axle

Char92dj8

Hey, im 18 and i dont have much experience, but i do know
that it really depends on what kinda wheelin your into
I mostly run though sugar sand, mud and flat trails, and im running
stock axels( d30 and d35 ) with 36in TSLs, and i have had
pretty much zero issues except a bad seal... and a broken 4:88 front gear
and i run the crap out of the truck
but, if you wanna upgrade, go for it!
Bigger is better!!

FloydXJ

For a wagoneer D44, check out pick-n-pull type junkyards. But, you would have to mod the axle spring pads and the wheel bolt pattern. For maximum ease, you could look for the rare, but simple XJ D44. Those will likely not be in junk yards. Look around on this board and boards like Naxja for people selling them. They go for $300-$400 pretty commonly around here. While that is a lot for a D44, the ease of a bolt in might make it worth it still.

N20jeep

d30 should be fine.

but, do not even consider wheeling to much on 35's with a d35. you dont want to be stuck on a trail with a broken 35axle, when you could have swapped in a stronger, better axle.

Rock Toy

If you are running 35s on rocks you will definitely want to up grade the Dana 30 front axle. Specially if you drive it to and from where you will be wheeling it. Rocks are not the same as flat ground and mud.

The yield torque of a stock Dana 30 27 spline axle is 2,371 ft lbs.

The yield torque of a 4340 alloy Dana 27 spline axle is 4,698 ft lbs.

nigel4400

has anyone heard of that axle swap kit, where it comes with new u bolts, spring pads, etc? Would that be the way to go if i wanted to swap out for a bigger axle?