Axle Questions

[Rusty XJ]

I'm going to Ohio this weekend to pick up my Dana 44 and Dana 30 with 4.10s from an 89 Cherokee Sport. I was told the Dana 44 has a Detroit Softlocker in it, that's the full on Detroit Locker right? Also, is their any difference between the 89 Dana 30 and my 95 Dana 30? I read somewhere once about the older 30s having vacuum disconnect but my 88 doesnt have it.

[Rick_Bear]

Yep, that be a FULL LOCKER. The Comanche (MJ) and Cherokee (XJ) use a reverse cut Dana 30 and the Grand Cherokee (ZJ) uses a normal cut Dana 30. Like the YJ and the TJ, these axles use a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern. All of these trucks use coil springs up front.

Thus why the ZJ axle swap to an XJ is NOT in your best interest.

[Jeeperjoey]

So which is better, the xj dana 30,  or the zj dana 30 ?  And why ? 

[Rusty XJ]

Thanks Rick!

[Rick_Bear]

There's a "loaded" question for just about anything...."Which is better"?

The strength of the Dana 30 in its use of reverse cut ring and pinion... The ring and pinion are stronger when they are reverse cut in front axles. The reverse cut axle also provides better ground clearance and driveline angles. So why give that up?

The YJ also uses a reverse cut Dana 30. The TJ uses a normal cut Dana 30 similar to the CJ models, but they are not compatable.

[cjbroke]

I'm going to Ohio this weekend to pick up my Dana 44 and Dana 30 with 4.10s from an 89 Cherokee Sport. I was told the Dana 44 has a Detroit Softlocker in it, that's the full on Detroit Locker right? Also, is their any difference between the 89 Dana 30 and my 95 Dana 30? I read somewhere once about the older 30s having vacuum disconnect but my 88 doesnt have it.

Let me get this straight....axles from an 89 XJ are going into another XJ, year...95? Or did I miss something.
XJ 44 will go right in.  XJ HP30 will go right in. The vacuum crap was only on the YJs.

Front-

# 1984 – 1996 : Dana 30, High Pinion, Reverse Cut, 27-spline axleshafts (1989 – 1995 : with ABS used 5-297x universal joints, non-ABS had 5-260x universal joints. Note: Certain XJ models were produced with constant-velocity joints instead of universal joints.)
# 1996 – 1999 : Dana 30, High Pinion, Reverse Cut, 297x/760 universal Joint, 27-spline axleshafts.

Rear-

    * 1984 – 1989 : Dana 35, non c-clip, with anti-lock braking system (ABS) or non-ABS.
    * 1990 – 1996 : Dana 35, c-clip, ABS or non-ABS.
    * 1997 – 2001 : Dana 35, c-clip, ABS.
    * 1991 – 1996 : Chrysler 8.25", c-clip, non-ABS, 27-spline axleshafts.
    * 1996 – 2001 : Chrysler 8.25", c-clip, non-ABS, 29-spline axleshafts.
    * 1987 – 1990 : Dana 44, non-abs, 30-spline axleshafts.

Also
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/Photo-courtesy-Rick-Boiros/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/261407

Google is your friend   

[Rusty XJ]

Alright, that info helps me out a good bit too. The main thing I was worried about was having to deal with the vacuum disconnect front end. The axles are out of an 89  and going into a 95, that's correct. Should I get the rear driveshaft from the 89 too? He is parting the whole thing out so he should still have it. Or will the 8.25 driveshaft be the right length? I have 4.5" of lift and a one inch t-case drop if that really effects it any? Thanks guys

[cjbroke]

     The 44 diff housing should be a tad longer, but with lift and t-case drop...who knows?  You'd have to measure.  You may get lucky or need a custom shaft.