2WD To 4WD Conversion
 

I have a 2000 xj 2wd AW4.

I am planning on doing a 4WD swap. I just want to make sure i get everything first before i start the swap so i will not be without my jeep for weeks.

I need to know what years of Dana 30 front axles can i use? Are the ZJ front axles a straight bolt in for my XJ? It doesn't matter if they are LP or HP Dana 30s. I only plan on running 31 inch tires.

Also since i have a 2000 will i have to find a 4WD transmission and transfer case out of a 2000 or 2001. (I heard that the wiring connections are different for these years, compared to 99-down).

Besides those items and the driveshafts is there anything else i will need to complete this swap?

Thanks, Mike.

Mike - Glad to see you are going to convert to the dark side! When I did mine, I used a D30 out of a 99 GC. The 2 biggest differences are that the axle has CV axles instead of u-joints and the axle has built in castor adjusters. The GCs also came with different gear ratios then the XJs so it might be harder to find one with matching gears. Might also be a good thing if you are planning to regear. You could find the right ratio for the front and only have to switch the rear.

As for the t-case, I dont think it should matter on the year. I believe that it was only the speedo plug that was different but you can use your current one in the trans on the new t-case.

Trans stuff - no idea. I have a AX15 so cant relate. I do know that if you get a trans out of a TJ, it clocks the t-case different, higher up. Hope this helps!

Also, if you need the stock 4wd shifter linkage and brackets (just not the shifter itself), I have some that I will get rid of for cheap.

I think the axle can be out of any year but needs to be the same gear ratio.

The trans and transfer case need to be out of an 00 or 01 because of the wiring like you mentioned.

I'm in the same boat, 2WD 2000 XJ. There are lots of clean examples here in Florida. I'm gonna try to get a parts XJ when I can to do the swap. That's a distant future upgrade though

5-Speed - thanks for the info! So your saying the 99 GC Dana 30 you used was a straight bolt in only thing different would be the cv axles and the gear ratio?

Is there any downside to cv axles over u joints? And do you know what gear ratios came in the GC axles?

Because i was planning on regearing when i move up to 31 inch tires anyways...

Also would a transfer case out of a GC bolt in? Searching on craigslist there are lots of 99-01 GC's being parted out so i can probably find some parts for cheap.

Yes front axle was a straight swap. Did not need to modify anything. The only thing is that you might need to get the rotors with the axle. I know that part was different for me. I used the same calipers that were on the 2wd axle. I did read something that said you can get a front yoke with a CV style or a u-joint style flange. So verify that before you get one.

CV axles are sealed with a boot meaning you cant really grease them. Stronger or not, I dont know. Dont really care either haha. It works and thats what I was going for.

The GCs came with 3.55 or 3.73 gears. I went with the 3.73s on 31s and love it. But again, I have a manual trans.

I believe the t-case is the same thing when it comes to XJ vs ZJ. Someone else will need to chime in to verify.

:D


Murphy may have something to say about that plan. He usually does.


If you need it for essential transportation, plan on weeks. If it goes well, no harm done.

If you plan on days, and it goes to weeks, well....

1999 Grand Cherokee is actually a WJ. There are a few different parts. Most of them will have 5" bolt pattern etc. 5-Speed, the year might have been wrong or you could've gotten a Frankenstein Jeep.

Any year ZJ, XJ, TJ, or MJ D30 will bolt in for sure. Since yours is a 2000 you have a slightly different exhaust. At stock height you will require a LP axle so the driveshaft clears it. If you're lifting 3" you'll be fine with an HP. Only ZJs, TJs, and 2000+ XJs had the low pinion version.

The CV axles are slightly weaker, but much smoother in their rotation. They were chosen for the Grand Cherokees as they go better with the full-time AWD stuff as available in an NP249 case. They'd be a good match in an XJ with an NP242, too. I wouldn't hesitate to use them with 31" tires.

As for transmissions, you can grab an AW4 from a 1998-2001 model. See here for more info: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1053970

Transfer cases between XJ and ZJ are a little complicated. It's way easier to get the transfer case from the same vehicle you get the transmission. You can read more here if you like: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/t...-np242-685644/

Don't forget, you'll also need front and rear drive shafts, transfer case linkage, shift gate, handle, bezel, etc. You're pretty much looking at finding a wrecked 4WD 1998-2001 if you want a factory look.

Salad FTW! Codak, take his information over mine. I am still learning with all this Jeep stuff and I am sure a lot of the info I have been fed could be bad. Just like my front axle info. I was told it was one thing but it could be (most likely is) something different.

:cheers: You had most of it - I just researched the transfer case differences too, I suspected they weren't straight swaps on account of the ZJs all using Doge transmissions

Thanks Salad for the great info! Really cleared some things up for me.

So i think the easiest way to get this done is to find a decent shape donor and just swap all the 4wd components to my xj and swap my 2wd to the one i buy then resell the one i bought.

I'm looking on craigslist in my area and found a decent 97 4wd.

I can't use a 97 because the transmission and transfer cause will not work correct??

If so what are the reasons they don't adapt? Electrical plugs?

Read the NAXJA link for the catch with the transmissions

Still on the hunt for a donor xj to do the swap. This 2001 showed up on craigslist and it seems to fall right into what i am looking for. I wanted to ask you guys how much i should try to get this xj for. Ill have to trailer it home about an hour. Was thinking around $500 for it.

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/6120021688.html

Biggest issue is it's a 2001 so you'll be getting a low pinion front axle and I bet the head is cracked not a head gasket.

I'm fine with the LP 30 as i don't plan on doing anything extreme in the near future. As for the head issue i'm sure its a cracked head also which would be even better because the motor would be junk and help my offering price.