The 249 AWD t-case was found behind the V-8 ZJs so I don't know how anyone could get a non CV driveshaft from a V8. It's possible I guess (based on the response above about pulling the V8 ZJ front DS and running it), but you'd have to do a fair amount of looking around to find a non CV double cardan front DS. I'm going to be doing this because I need the slightly longer ZJ front driveshaft for my rear DS with my Ford 9" being as low as the pinion comes out of the diff as well as being lifted 8-9". The stock XJ DS in the back is really stretched out.
Wow that Dana DS manual is very helpful, from what I saw:
XJ: AW4 auto front DS is 30.660"
XJ: AX15 manual front DS is 29.250"
XJ: AW4 auto rear DS is 28.620" (listed with dana 44 rear axle)
XJ: AX15 manual rear DS is 27.080" (listed with dana 44 rear axle)
ZJ: 4.0L/auto/242 t-case front DS is 31.750"
ZJ: 5.2L/5.9L w/ auto & 249 t-case front DS is 29.600"
So from this chart a 4.0L ZJ front driveshaft will give a 1.09" DS length increase which help me, but not all that much...I was hoping for a 2" increase, but for a cheap stock OEM DS it works.
I wish all Jeeps came with dana 44 rear axles, it sure would be nice as the chart seems to think all the Jeep had these nice rear axles from the factory!
Troy