gsxdsm4g63

I need to replace the front axle on my '89, and i came by one from a '98 so my questions is will it bolt right in place of mine? im new to XJ's so i dont know what if anythig you need to know to answer my question. what i know about the '98 is its a auto I6 4 door, and mine is an '89 2 door I6 5spd. i would appreciate any help because he is scrapping his jeep tomorrow so i need to give him an answer by tonight.


thanks, Eric

ktmracer419

the gears are different, but you can swap in the shafts to get rid of the vacuum disconnect and they have larger u joints

wicked_xj

x2

BuckB91XJ

I don't think the bigger 98 passenger side (long) axle will fit into the smaller 89 carrier side gear.

OverlandZJ

Believe your spot on here, the 89 should be a CAD axle whereas the 98 wouldnt be.

However... the 89 will should have a 3:07 ratio (if stock) and the 98 a 3:55. He'd have a slightly lower gear for a set of 30's without issue. Thats if he can get the set of matching axles.

Then he'd just need to plug the vac ports on his transfer and yank the vac lines.

BuckB91XJ

I meant to say the 98 passenger side bigger axle will NOT fit into the smaller 89 carrier side gear.

The 89 with the 5-speed does have 3.07 axle gears and the 98 with the automatic does have 3.55 axle gears. This mis-match will need to be fixed.

OverlandZJ

I dont believe there is a size difference in any D30 shaft where it splines into the side gears.

Only variables on D30 shafts that i'm aware of is the pass side CAD and 260/297 ujoint issues? Lots of guys have converted their CAD axle to non CAD shafts with the seal install on pass side.

I'm getting older though.. maybe i'm having a "moment"

caged

i think the caliper mounts are different too.

OverlandZJ

Yeah, theres a few different knuckles, hubs, rotors and calipers on the front axle. But easily interchangable through the years if you keep the knuckle out assembly together.

gsxdsm4g63

I think there was some confusion here, what i was hoping to do was pull the complete front axle from the '98 and put it under mine. that brings up a couple more questions, i would take the tie rod and drag link with because mine are worn out, so would they work also?

caged

yes it will, the control arm mounts are all the same. but as mentioned, your 89 calipers will not bolt up to the 98 axle. easy swap to just replace your calipers with some 98 ones.
also mentioned, your xj is a 5 speed, i believe all 5 spd xj's were 3.07 gearing, whereas the 98 auto axle would have 3.55 gearing. that will need to be changed, or your rear gears up to 3.55 for better torque. one or the other.
everything else would be a go.

BuckB91XJ

If it won't break the bank, try to get the rear axle out of the donor 98 XJ. Chances are it has the better 8.25 rear end. Your 89 most likely has the D35 junker. So, you'd get better gearing and a stronger axle out of the deal.

ktmracer419

if the axle is free, grab the shafts, you can bypass the vac disco fairly easily, and the side gears are the same in EVERY stock dana30

gsxdsm4g63

im getting this from a complete xj it was wrecked is why he is parting it out. so it will include everything, all i would have to do is bolt it in and put the wheels back and im done. well besides the gear issue, so if i got the rear out of it also i would be fine? or take the gears out mine and put into the '98? if i did the gear swap it would temporary because i do plan to lift it and everything. for right now i drive it daily so im not ready to do anthing like that yet.

gsxdsm4g63

is there anything else worth taking from it? the only things missing are the motor and drivers door. it was hit in the front and he said all the front body panels are trashed.