I bought a 96 Grand Cherokee 4 wheel drive off Craigs List about 2 weeks ago.The rear end is now making a lot of metal on metal sounds from the rear end. I've tried to get the parts from local parts stores and they keep saying it's a dana 30. I compared the pics posted prior and it looks like a chrysler 8.25. Please help!

 

Dana 35

 

It has a rubber fill plug cover like the 8.25.

 

My father in law is going to rebuild it and apperantly going to have to order parts online.

 

Dana 35..

Not worth rebuilding. Get one with matching ratio from a part out or junkyard and slap it in.

Or upgrade to an 8.25 or 44 if your gonna wheel this rig.

BTW... ZJ's never came with an 8.25.

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/do-...ana-44-a-3973/

 

it has a rubber plug like the 8.25 but the 8.25 is flat on the bottom. i think its a dana 35

 

Thanks OverlandZJ!!! Answered my next question already.

 

Any better than the other?
Need to leave for an hour will be back to check for the reply.Again thanks for the help!

 

On the ZJ there were two axles, a 35 and the D44a. The 44a is an aluminum housing, not as strong as a cast iron 44. Aftermarket parts are minimul.... but it is an upgrade albeit not much and a bolt in to the ZJ.

If this is a wheeler your best bet is an XJ 8.25 or D44, then buy a bracket kit to bolt it in the ZJ. You also have the Ford 8.8 option as well..

That's exactly what i'm doing, bought a bracket kit for my XJ44 to swap it into my ZJ build. You'll need to study some and be able to measure and weld.

 

First 4 wheeler I've owned,I'm guessing wheeler means off road? This is just a grocery getter and a way to get back and forth to work. Moved to a place that's off the beaten path so doubt I'll see too many snow plows. The 4 wheel drive won't be used too often I hope.

 

Considering your intended purpose i'd opt for a bolt in replacement.

See that tag on the first pic? Take it off, clean it up and post the number sequence on it. We can tell you the gear ratio so you can get the correct replacement axle. Having two ratio's is not gonna work.

 

Need help to identify rear end : it is that cushioning thing behind you, That you sit on.

 

Gear ratio is 3.55

 

The truck has almost 180,000 miles on it too. Not really wanting to sink a bunch of money on it.