xjYATES

Q #1: If I do a 4.5" or 6.5" lift do I HAVE to have an SYE and a CV drive shaft? (without damaging anything) And if so do I need it for the rear AND the front? (trying to find a way around this because thats about $1k in itself) I have a 3.5" lift now, so i figure if i go up to 4.5" i could do a 1" tc drop and it should be fine, but what about 6.5"?

Q #2: Does anyone know how much it is to have spider gears swapped(chrysler 8.25)? Can it be done from home with hand tools?

Q #3: If I have the rear end re-geard from say stock to 4.56 do I then need to have the front end geard to 4.56 also? Will it cause problems if I dont?

thanks for any help! And Im sure I will have alot more questions to add

-Jeff

BlueXJ

1- Yes SYE is going to be needed and it is pretty surprising that you don't need it at 4.5" SYE is only for the rear. None are made for the front driveshaft.

2- It is a DIY job. Not hard at all. Just like installing a lunchbox locker.

3- If you change one set then you need to change both sets.

xjYATES

Does the front not need anything? The slip yoke works fine with the sharper angle after a lift?

Ok I think im going to try and run welded spider gears but if i dont like it, what is a lunchbox locker? how does it work? cost?

I dont ever plan on running anything bigger than 33" tires, any recomendations on gears for front and rear?

BlueXJ

Front driveshaft is a slip in the middle of the shaft not in the transfercase. That is why it works differently and can be used both as a front or rear shaft.

Lunchbox locker takes the place of the spider gears in your differential.

33s a gearing of either 4.11 or 4.56 are the choices and the first is good in relatively flat terrain and the second is better in rocky/ hilly terrain.

xjYATES

woah! awesome, so all i have to do is throw an SYE on the back (or custom tap it) and get a front drive shaft off another XJ for the rear and I'm basically set?!

lunchbox locker is full time locked?

BlueXJ

Usuallyif you have a 231 the front driveshaft in the rear will work because the needed length is about right.

Lunchbox locker is a self locking locker and will perform as an open diff until you have a slippage that will then engage it as a locker. You have no real control over it but your driving style may need to be altered b/c you can in a way control when it locks by the way you drive. But it is not like you have a switch or lever to engage it either.

xjYATES

Do you know how I can tell what transfer case I have, and what transfer case im going to be pulling a front drive shaft off of?

I have to be running a 231 and need a front shaft off a 231?