I've got an 88 xj with a dana 30, vac disconnect I don't want to go crazy with upgrades but i need to change it out, the lower control arm bracket is bent and cracked if i find a non disconnect dana with the same gearing is it a direct bolt in how do i engage/disengage the axle. any help for the newbie would be appreciated. Thanks

 

you won't have to. it will always be engaged. so as soon as you pull up the stuck lever, it will be in 4wd. otherwise, in 2wd, it'll be un-noticed.

i have done the same thing. got rid of the disco axle and put in a solid axle from a limited with the large u-joints.

best swap i've done so far.

 

The passenger and driver side of axle will remain engaged within an non-disco D30. The stock planetary gears within the differential will allow rotation without binding, [a locker will do some clacking noise (but not harmfull) when tight cornering.] The Transfer case will continue to take care of the 2wd to 4wd drive shaft connection.
Insure you swap in equal grearing to your rear. Do you know what gear ratio u currently have?

 

thanks I've got a couple axles I'm looking at

 

Many 4 cyl XJ's came with 4:10 gear sets. A nice swap in if you can get the rear set as well as the front axle. As Caged pointed out the larger u joints are a very good benefit.