97 XJ Adding 8.25 + SYE = ???

Ok so I'm replacing my 35 with an 8.25... I have also JUST ordered an AA HD SYE. So...Question is, can I use the front (or is it rear) DS from a Grand Cherokee? or will the FRONT off an XJ work??


SECONDLY... I am told the 8.25 will be a DIRECT BOLT ON for a 97 if it is out of a 96 or newer. Can someone confirm that a 96 year axle is infact a direct bolt on. (EVEN THOUGH ITS A DIFFERENT BODY STYLE?)


All help with this will be greatly appreciated. This is going to be done this weekend so all of your help is crucial on this. THANKS.

I've always been told that pre 96 are a 27 spline and 97 and post are a 29 spline and the difference is in the E brake lines...

slideways said:

I'd snag the dshaft with the new one even though when i did my swap they looked the same. The main hangup i ran into was ebrake cables. The 97+ XJ has one short and one very long cable. Theres no way to make it work on an older XJ. So all you need to do is go to the parts place and get 2 new cables for your 92... they'll fit right on.

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only for you I believe it would be opposite

HTH

Do you already have the axle? If you dont I would say try to find a 29 spline 8.25.

-Alex

I think that they started using 29-spline 8.25s in the late '96 model year. I swapped the D35 on my '96 XJ for an 8.25 from a '99, it was easy.

The way I got around the brake problem is to pull the axle shafts on both axles, then unbolt the brakes from both axles. Swap the axles, then install your old brakes on the new axle and reinstall the shafts. You don't even have to remove the parking brake cables at all, plus the axles will be a bit lighter without the shafts.

Daedalus454 said:

I think that they started using 29-spline 8.25s in the late '96 model year. I swapped the D35 on my '96 XJ for an 8.25 from a '99, it was easy.

The way I got around the brake problem is to pull the axle shafts on both axles, then unbolt the brakes from both axles. Swap the axles, then install your old brakes on the new axle and reinstall the shafts. You don't even have to remove the parking brake cables at all, plus the axles will be a bit lighter without the shafts.

Click to expand...

You can use the D35 shafts in the 8.25 axle or did I read that wrong?

smcdonaldaz said:

You can use the D35 shafts in the 8.25 axle or did I read that wrong?

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Either you read it wrong, or I said it wrong. When reassembling the axle like I suggested you will need to use the correct axle shafts. The brake assemblies are identical though.

Unless you lucked out and got an axle with 10" drum brakes and want to use them instead of the standard 9" drums, in which case I'm afraid I can't help.

ok... how about the DS issue?

1. Ok so I'm replacing my 35 with an 8.25... I have also JUST ordered an AA HD SYE. So...Question is, can I use the front (or is it rear) DS from a Grand Cherokee? or will the FRONT off an XJ work??
The front drive shaft will work, depending on transmissions (auto or manual) Some of the ZJ front shafts are longer
Front shaft lengths
XJ 89/01 4.0 Automatic 30.660 inches
XJ 89/01 4.0 Manual 29.250 inches

ZJ 1993 4.0 Automatic 30.530
ZJ 93/95 5.2 Automatic 32.870 w/o CV
ZJ 94/95 5.2 A500 30.625 w/o CV
ZJ 94/95 4.0 A500 w/o CV
ZJ 93/96 4.0 Manual
ZJ 93/96 4.0, 5.2 31.875 w/ 231, 242
ZJ 93/95 4.0 Manual 30.000 w/231
ZJ 93/96 5.2 33.000 w/ 231
ZJ 96/98 5.2, 5.9 31.250 w/ 249 & Model 30
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 32.875 w/ 249 & Model 30
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.000 w/ 242
ZJ 96/97 4.0 Automatic 31.250
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 30.750 w/ 249 & Model 30
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.500 w/ 249

WJ 99/00 4.0 34.625 52099497AD
WJ 99/00 4.7 33.250 52099498AD
WJ 01/04 4.0 34.625 52105884AA *
WJ 02/04 4.7 32.000 CV 52853500AB *


2. SECONDLY... I am told the 8.25 will be a DIRECT BOLT ON for a 97 if it is out of a 96 or newer. Can someone confirm that a 96 year axle is infact a direct bolt on. (EVEN THOUGH ITS A DIFFERENT BODY STYLE?)
The 8.25 will go right in, you need to replace the u-bolts

Daedalus454 said:

Either you read it wrong, or I said it wrong. When reassembling the axle like I suggested you will need to use the correct axle shafts. The brake assemblies are identical though.

Unless you lucked out and got an axle with 10" drum brakes and want to use them instead of the standard 9" drums, in which case I'm afraid I can't help.

Click to expand...

I'm sure it was me, not the first time but I got it now, thanks. I'm new to all the axle stuff but trying and posts like this help. Specially when i don't get it and don't get flamed for asking questions when I don't. THANKS!