U-BOATXJ

So I was wheeling last weekend at the redneck yacht club and lost 4x4. Nothing seemed to break it just kinda stopped working. It feels like it locks in but the fronts don't spin and i get no lights.

Ive heard of the vacuum disco on these models and think it could be the problem. Can anyone shed some light on this situation and the vacuum thinger?

Gee oh Dee

There is a box on the back of your front axle on the passanger side. It has vacuum lines running to it, which connect your two piece axle shafts.

If a line got pulled or a hole got put in one, you won't get proper vacuum to the box and it won't engage.

U-BOATXJ

Found it. Didn't think it would be that simple. Now I just have to clean all the mud off!

What a lame place for something like that...

89Laredo

I can send you my old one, which is locked over and doesnt require vacuum for 30.
Or, you can read my writeup and do it yourself.
Or, you can swap to 93+ ABS or 95+ non abs and get no vacuum disconnect and stronger ujoints...

U-BOATXJ

So I need a different axle is what your sayin?

huntingman2706217

There are cable kits and DIY cable kits and a tone of different ways to get rid of the vacuum junk... but Dana 30's are like $150... and if you buy the right one with the larger axle joints you come out better just swapping axles lol

U-BOATXJ

So it sound like the Dana 30 would prolly be the easiest solution.

huntingman2706217

Yes... coming from a guy who did the DIY cable conversion for $20... from now on ill just pick up another axle... stronger better bolt in solution... not that the mod was hard... just that was one more thing I had to worry about doing when getting in 4x4 and I still had a cable hanging under my Jeep waitingto get yanked... and it kept kinking in the cab near the lawn mower handle... lol... its just a better setup man... if you can find a front AND rear from a ABS Cherokee with the 8.25 29 spline rear... you'll be happier and much stronger...

U-BOATXJ

Guess I'll start lookin.

Gee oh Dee

Got a link for us?

I've got a D44 without ABS (I hate ABS), so I'm not wanting to do a rear swap.

Pulling two levers doesn't seem too difficult, its better than having to hop out and lock the hubs.

I've seen the ones that come as a "kit" but haven't ever seen any prices. I'm thinking those are less prone to kinking, but I could be wrong.

huntingman2706217

what? everything about this is wrong lol...

first off if you have a dana 44 then keep it... duh... lol

second if you get a ABS axle it doesnt mean you have to buy everything to hook them up lol... there will just be a empty screw hole lol... so swapping in a ABS axle means nothing more then any other axle...

third... who ever said anything about lock in hubs? cherokees NEvER came with lock in hubs... so there is no getting out?

not trying to bash ya but hope ya learned something new today! lol...

huntingman2706217

also that kit is like $150... or you can get a dana 30 at a JY for $150... or cheaper if you catch someone parting one out... heck i scrapped two of them last month cause nobody wanted them around here... not many people on here from my area...

89Laredo

Just the shafts, if you can find them from 93+ ABS or 95+ (abs or non) you will get better ujoints too. you have to install a seal kit and make a blockoff plate, and thats it.

Link to writeup:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/fr...ss-91-a-38629/

huntingman2706217

this is another way to go about it... but i find it to still be more work then just swapping the axle... takes all of 30minutes with a air compressor...

Gee oh Dee

You completely misunderstood my post. Nothing about it was wrong, except your comprehension.

Having to pull two levers is still easier than getting out and locking hubs. What I was getting at is that pulling two levers isn't like having to get out, its just pulling two levers. Not really any more difficult than pulling the one lever.

Not exactly sure whats "all wrong" about that.