Danimal45

1997 ZJ 4.5" Rubicon Express long arm +2" booster on 35" tires 4.56 gears

I posted a little while back with the 44A that was tore up. I have Ford 8.8 coming from SFF customs. My jeep has 136K on it, and no problems so far, but everyone says that the VC in the NP249 goes out at 150k. So if I am already down there tearing parts out, I might as well look into swapping to a NP231 with SYE. That is where I would like to end up, but there are enough differences and clearance lengths for output shafts to make me a little confused.

1) So say I pull a 231J, what am I looking for that will work best on my Jeep?

2) After I have the 231 and SYE installed, what driveshaft options do I have?

3) I have read the write-up on jeep forum about the different transfer cases, but how much of this applies to my jeep, and what do I need to buy to complete the swap?

andrewmp6

From the write up All 96-98 ZJ's: .840" 23 spline input
All 96-01 XJ's: .840" 23 spline input so you need a np231 from a 96-01 xj,For a rear driveshaft you won't know the length you need tell you got the t case installed.You can use a front driveshaft but you gotta measure first to figure out which one you need.http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...iveshafts.html post 14 list them by length,Or you can have one custom made by tom woods or adams driveshaft.

jon-d

if you call Tom Woods and provide measurements he will sell you a correct one. it all comes down to preference, but to me that would be a simple sure way of getting what you need.

andrewmp6

I have a local big diesel shop that will custom make any driveshaft today for 350 bucks,But no matter who you use ask how they want it measured.Because most of them once its made you bought it so double check before you place a order.Even running a used one you take the risk it probably needs a full rebuild which will put you almost the price of a new one that will be thicker and stronger.

Danimal45

So I pull the 231 from a 96-01 XJ, pick up a SYE kit, and measure the distance and see if a Cherokee front or a Tom woods shaft would work. There are no other parts or adapters that are needed? Just want to make sure that I am not missing anything here.