Front axle swap question?

DeadHammer · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:25 PM

Can a front axle from a late model Cherokee be swapped over to a TJ? I need to replace my front Dana 30 on my 98 TJ Sport.

Cyanide · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:54 PM

The internals you should be able to as long as they are the same axle type. As far as the entire assembly that I am not 100% on.

Bounty__Hunter · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 01:24 AM

Yes, it's a direct bolt-in. Stay away from the '01 XJ if you want the upgrade from the TJ's low-pinion axle to the XJ's high pinion front axle. All XJ's but the newest ones have a high pinion front axle.

Crazy4diesels · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 11:43 AM

Why in the world did they bother to make a high pinion AND a low pinion axle? Why not put the high pinion axle in all Jeeps (XJs and TJs) . No wonder why the auto makers can't make any money

- John

Bounty__Hunter · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 12:34 PM

Yep, they shorted the TJ by putting in a low pinion front axle. So from '97-99 they put all high pinions in the XJ's while the TJ got the low pinion. The HP30 is a slight upgrade for a lifted TJ.

DeadHammer · #6 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 07:50 PM

Will the original front drive shaft work if I switch over to the high pinion dana 30?

xjmarc · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2009, 10:29 PM

Never done the swap in a TJ but did in a ZJ (low to high pinion) drive shaft worked fine but it was lifted. In stock height you might have some clearance issues.

Bounty__Hunter · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 03:08 AM

Stock driveshaft will work.