I'm about to start the conversion from 2wd to 4wd on my 98 Cherokee. Would a front axle from a 89 cj7 fit the 98 Cherokee?

 

No... search the conversion here, lots of info.

 

Thanks. I already have the axle from the 89 cj7. Was hoping it would work but I guess I'll just have to buy one.

 

Replacement is by far your best bet..

The CJ axle is too narrow and doesnt have the proper bracketry. Different wheel bolt pattern as well.

Any high pinion D30 will work, opt for the non-vacuum disconnect type. 00 and 01 donor rig you dont want as it's low pinion.

You can save and reuse your knuckles out, brake and bearing assemblies off that 2wd axle too.

 

Thank you so much for such helpful info. I'm brand new to jeep and I've got no other way of knowing this stuff.

 

There is no such thing as an 89 CJ7, after 87 its a Wrangler and no way it's worth the time and money to make it fit your XJ. XJ dana 30's are a dime a dozen and super cheap, look for a 96-98 so you get the high pinion and bigger u joints.

 

Again, thanks. Next question is what is best option for transmission and transfer case? HAS to be automatic.

 

four wheel drive AW4 (only auto offered in an XJ) out of a 97+ and a NP231 t case (1 of 2 t cases offered in an XJ, other is NP242) out of a 96+.

 

Partially agree here. XJ D30s in my area are pretty rare because all the TJ owners snap them up!

87-90 (and the odd 91) D30s in YJs and XJs are high pinion ("reverse cut" gears) with a vacuum disconnect. The housing is just fine and the disconnect can be disabled, removed, etc. 91ish-96 XJ and YJ D30s are High Pinion as well with a single-piece passenger shaft. 96-01 XJs have upgraded Spicer 5-297x U-joints, the shafts (stub and into the diff) are upgraded to accomodate the larger style. 2000+ XJs switch to a low pinion ("standard cut") gearing that is seen on the TJs. YJ axles are leaf-sprung, TJ axles are coil-sprung but low pinion. All D30s used on the YJ, TJ, and XJ are 27-spline and have the same length shafts and bolt patterns. Don't be fooled by CJ and JKs. ZJ D30s aren't worth thinking about due to different mounting and CV joints.

So here are some criteria to assemble a decent D30 for an XJ:

- Any XJ D30 housing from 1987 to 1999
- Any YJ housing *IF* you convert it from leaf to coil springs and control arms (fab work required)
- Vacuum-disconnect axles can have the vacuum motor removed and the area covered with a plate and accept a standard shaft
- Any YJ gears and differential
- Any XJ gears and differential from 1987 to 1999
- Axle shafts from 96+ XJs or any TJ

Note the years I mention are model years and not production dates.

Mister OP, since you're new to this stuff, some say an NP242 is a "better" transfercase because of it's features. It has the option of "fulltime" 4WD which can be used in rain and unevenly slippery surfaces like a mostly plowed road. The NP231 I personally think is a stronger unit and matters if you're wheeling but it locks the front and rear drive shafts, meaning it should only be used in 4WD when things are pretty greasy. I'm going to venture that "HAS to be auto" means this is a DD that someone else will be driving and not a hardcore offroader.

 

Why do you specify 96+? Any later d30 shafts without the disconnect will do. Look for shafts after 91 for the shafts that have the bigger u joint with an 1-3/16" cap apposed to 1-1/16". Also why no mention of ZJ D30s? Also the same.

 

Yes. It is a daily driver and it needs to remain auto because my wife will drive it from time to time. I'm a little confused about the "convert to coil" thing. Are you referring to the axle needing to be converted? The jeep is already coil.

 

96+ because of the larger U-joint cap as you said, and I did mention ZJ D30 as no bueno due to CV joints and different coil spring perches. I'm not totally knowledgeable on the ZJ though so it wouldn't surprise me if things changed. Like maybe the 93 is special?

Yes I was referring to welding control arm brackets and coil spring perches onto a new axle. 96-99 will be a straight easy bolt on though with no fab or assembly requred. If you don't mind a low pinion D30 (tons of people run em) then you can get any TJ axle or 2000+ XJ. Keep in mind that drive shaft length is different depending on options, for instance a front DS from a 2000 XJ with automatic is a few inches longer than one from a 1998 with a manual transmission.

 

What are the pros and cons of hi pin / lo pin?

 

A high pinion is technically a stronger axle (in the front) and it gets your driveshaft up higher (a good thing to keep it out of harm's way). Are you planning on lift and off road use? If not, then a high-pinion axle might not be necessary. In terms of reliability for on-road use, it's a wash between the 2.

 

[QUOTE=salad;2173398]96+ because of the larger U-joint cap as you said, QUOTE]

Larger u joints can be found as early as 91. Gotta search around for them. Usually with ABS.