What is "hack n tap" and can I do this front shaft with my d44 i put in the rear? It was a direct swap from an older cherokee.

 

I'll have to check now, but I'd think that a drive shaft from a manual transmission would be shorter than one for an automatic... I thought the transmission was shorter. I could be wrong, though, I'll check tonight.

Lucky! (on the D44)

Was just looking this up when I caught this thread. It appears that a Hack n tap (aka HnT) is a kit that uses your origional output shaft, cut down (hacked off), and then drilled and tapped for a bolt. The kit comes with a flange or yoke that then slides onto the splines and is held on with the bolt. It's a tad bit more involved than that (tail stock gets changed to be shorter and make a seal since the slip yoke isn't there anymore), but that's the gist of it, as far as I can tell.

Seems that about anything can be done, but as far as how much work is involved I couldn't tell you. As an example, a Ford 8.8 can be swapped in for little more than the cost of the axle, as long as you get the flange, since it appears that the U joint caps can be mixed to an extent to make an adaptor. It has a longer pinion than the 8.25, though, so care must be taken in making sure the drive shaft is not too long. Research.

 

I sent an email to Iron Rock Offroad asking this question and they responded that a stock front drive shaft may be too long and need to be cut down. So I went to my local junk yard and purchased a stock front drive shaft for a 2000 XJ for $55.00. Ordered the SYE kit from Dirtbound Offroad (same product from Iron Rock Offroad, yoke style) and installed it. When I installed the stock front drive shaft in the rear I only had about 1/4" of slip left in the drive shaft. I had my local machine shop cut it down 1 1/4" so I would have a total of 1 1/2" of the slip joint extended ($35.00). Everything seems to be working great so far. $190.00 for a SYE and CV drive shaft isn't bad.

So if you buy the SYE and Drive Shaft kit from Iron Rock Offroad and only have 2" of lift you'll need to get the drive shaft shortened a bit.

 

Looking fkr some clarification. what about my setup, 4.5" lift with an auto and a C8.25. I have a front shaft for a 5 speed already, but could I use it with a regular SYE, or HnT only?

 

Front drive shafts are still different lengths. When you install your sye or hnt measure it out then go to the jy and find a front ds. If you have an ax 15 need a front ds outta a zj since they are 2"-3" longer.

 

Just checked back into the thread and says you could only do this set up with the 8.25. So I can't do this with my D44??

 

From what I understand all 97+ with ABS have D35's

 

Having ABS or not having ABS does not matter. You can still swap axles and driveshafts if it fits your specific situation. All you have to do is unplug the ABS and take out the fues. Your brakes will still work.

 

they actualy make ujoints that have different end cap diameters and different distances from end cap to end cap for those bastard joints i have actualy had to get them before i now stock them at my garage lol

 

i have a 96 2 door will this work when i do the 4wd conversion? or will i still need to cut it down?

 

2 door and 4 door cherokees are the same length. What will work on one will work on the other, except for body chops, of course.

 

So I'm a little confused on the one. A front ds will bolt up to a c8.25 but not a Dana 35?

 

It will , just need to figure out what length you need for what your trying to do.

 

what is the maximum amount of "safe" slip joint that could be showing

 

Never mind I figured it out.