XJ Axle tech...

[terryd]

hey guys, i was trying to find out which dana 30 is better for minimal lift and 31's. i've found a 44/30dis-con out of a mid 80's cherokee, and would very much like to replace the 8.25/30 in my 98 cherokee with these. my 8.25 is wore plum out....it roars and carrys on, the fill plug lets water in when i was the undercarrage and i'm just very disenchanted with it. the 44 i know is a ton stronger than the 8.25, but the difference between the 30non and the 30dis-con is the issue. (also parts avail for the 8.25 is dismal at best). also, if the dis-con is any good, i found a cable operated system to replace the vaccume diaphram, and was wondering if this was a good idea. by the way, i'm also wanting this swap to get rid of the 3.08's in my jeep now, and get the 3.50's that's in the 44/30dis-con.

[anony91xj]

The disco axle will work fine, but you'll need to do the manual cable conversion you mention...I don't think the newer Tcases have the vacuum ports to control the axle. The manual cable system will allow you to have 2WD low range if you keep the front diff open as well. Other than the disconnecting mechanism, I believe the D30 axles are the same. Both the D30 and D44 should bolt right up to your XJ.

[terryd]

aight man, thanks for the info....

[Tim_MN]

If there is nothing wrong with your current D30 you should keep it or swap in a newer one. The nondisco is less complicated and the newer ones have the larger 297-X U joints and some say better brakes. Any axle in a 4.0 auto tranny should have 3.55 gears.

[terryd]

well, i was wondering if the ring and pinion outta the disco model would fit my non-disco axle. i found an exploded view, and the disco unit is on the pass-side axle shaft and tube, so the ring, pinion and carrier will all interchange. the disco axle has the matching 3.50 gears to the 44 with it, i was wondering if i had to swap the whole axle and if so, was it as strong as the non-disco, that's all....

[xjbubba]

If your '98 is a low pinion D30 (not sure what year Chrysler went to low pinion D30's), then the ring and pinion from an '80's won't fit; the high pinion D30's use a reverse cut ring and pinion. But I beleive you can use the '98 axles and u-joints, along with the latter knuckles, hubs, and brakes on the early (high pinion) housings. If the '98 is also high pinion, then you can use the early ring and pinion in the '98.

[87manche]

you can mix and match shafts and knuckles.
You'll only have to get a seal and a plate to cover the motor's hole.
www.maxj.net
under axle tech is the usage of new shafts in an older disco axle.

[langer1]

The Disco parts easy to get rid of, you don't need it anyway.

[87manche]

you can mix and match shafts and knuckles.
You'll only have to get a seal and a plate to cover the motor's hole.
www.maxj.net
under axle tech is the usage of new shafts in an older disco axle.

yeah so obviously I was drunk when posting that link.
it's madxj.com

[terryd]

sweet, you guys are awesome. other forums havent told me anything yet....just give me flack about not going w/ bigger axles and 38's.......

[Ludakris]

what is your reason for changing out your current D30?
It is the better of the two.....

if its for the gears, I would just get new gears for your current axle.. much less work..
and then we could debate the strenght between an 8 1/4 all day..
I would stick with what ya got.. some lunch boxes and alloys.. and your there..