Slackdaddy

Building a "mild" XJ (mall crawler), it may see a boat ramp or mild trail.
It's a 2001 with low pinion front diff. Is it worth the effort and expense to put in a HP front diff. ??
Does it make a diiferance on a 3-4" lift?
Has anyone solved driveline problems by switching to a HP front?


Slack

'90Cherokee

A HP is always better, but for your stated uses I wouldn't bother.

ButtStripe

If you are near SoCal I have an hp disconnect disassembled that i will sell cheap.

Slackdaddy

I have a 93 HP front diff in a rusted out parts XJ.
If I pull the front Diff, the junk hauler will charge me 100.00 to haul the XJ away.
If I leave the thing rolling on 4 tires, hauling is free.

'90Cherokee

So swap the diffs and let him haul away the LP. You don't really need a HP, but having one free sitting there I'd definitely swap it in as it'll be better than what you have. If the the '93 happens to have the 'full time' 4WD option you'll also get bigger axle u-joints, not that you really need them for your use.

I'll bet if you put that rust bucket on CL someone will pay you for it.

Slackdaddy

The rust bucket has been on CL and Cherokee forums,
complete running 4.0, 5 spd for 375.00
not one bit of interest.

4.3L XJ

There are some rumors about the difference in ring and pinion strength. Those have been around since the 60s and possibly longer. The truth is, Dana has of course tested them when in the design faze since they have to hold up in the same type of applications. The R & P fail within a few foot pounds of each other. One thing the high pinion is good for is if you are lifting, it is easier to get something close to the right pinion angle/castor in a high pinion configuration

ButtStripe

I agree with '90Cherokee. Swap them out, slap the LP in the rust bucket and have them haul it away. Doesn't have to be perfect, just in there enough so they can roll it.

bad_idea

For the cost/effort involved, I would swap them.

Benefits: Pinion angle, theoretical strength, ground clearance.

For your application, none of these benefits are needed. But again, for the bit of labor involved I'd do it.

unidentifiedbomb

With a friend you can swap them within 4 hours.

LiamLikeNeeson

where are you located? Lol

'90Cherokee

If they're about the same strength why do we see so many HP fronts and no HP rears. HP rears would be great; better shaft angle and more ground clearance. It's mostly rhetorical, obviously they work better when pushing the ring rear vs. pulling it.

andrewmp6

A high pinion is said to be about 20% stronger if i remember right.And you can build a high pinion 9 inch now.Some high end off roaders use them and some circle track cars do just to keep a good driveline angle.

Bugout4x4

Based on a Ford pumpkin? If so please tell me more...

Motojunky

I've almost messaged you a few times.

I'll PM you now.