cmineo2

my 2000 xj needs a new axle. i see online tons of used axles ... does it matter which year i pull an axle from? i just want to do a swap over ....

thanks
cmineo

Donnie_K

you want a 99 or older front diff with the same gear ratio as your current one. Get rid of that crappy low pinon axle. If you stay 91 or newer you can avoid the vacuum disconnect, Older ones with the np242 didn't have the disconnect either. I believe thay switch to the beefier u-joint's in 97, so I'd say 97-99 would be what you want to look for.

lookin2wheel

Wrong about the CAD. I have a '91 with the vac disc.

Bustedback

I have a 91 without the vac disconnect, must have been a mid year switch.

caged

that 91 could have been a swap in as i have a 92 with one but was installed by a shop that doesn't know jeeps as there's no vac off the t-case to activate the disco. so that was a rip off for the previous owner.

i think the larger joints came in around 94 or 95. but all non disco previous axles that came with the 242 select trac t-case with abs had the larger joints also.
but you still want to avoid 89 and older as they had bolt on caliper mounts on the knuckles. but you can always swap knuckles easy enough.

caged

oh, and disco's were only with 231 command-trac t-case jeeps. (pre 91)

lookin2wheel

I can see that. Mine is a '91 with a 231 and the CAD. Right now it dont work though, the vac diaphram is done. ChryCo has always done weird crap like mid year changes.

Bustedback

Chrysler took AMC over in late 1990, so there is no telling who or what made mid year changes.

Donnie_K

still can't go wrong with a 97-99 front axle, lol

freegdr

if your doing this on stock xj theres a couple of member with issues with steering wheel centering after installing a high pinion in a low pinion year

MWildmann

I swapped a high pinion for my low pinion and now the driveshaft is too long at full droop. The slip splines bottom out. Just something to be aware of...

freegdr

sounds like when this is done the driveshaft and track bar need to be changed also

Donnie_K

Got any links? I've never heard of that since the steering knuckles are basically the same? either way, that's just a matter of adjusting the drag link.

This makes sense... may want to make sure you grab the front driveshaft with the new axle I hate that they decided to start putting low pinion axles in these... what is it with chrysler wanting to make all the jeeps less capable?

cmineo2

wow ... thanks for all the info. i plan to have a donor vehicle handy for awhile while swapping everything over, it is a 1993, unless i find something else in the meatime.