DarkCloud

driving an 88 cherokee laredo 4.0 4x4
its an automatic
does anyone have any info about the front differential?
it says dana on it but what model does it come with?
i hear the term "dana" getting thrown back and forth what does it mean?
i have a leaking front cover on it btw, and blown u joints =\
when repairing it, what performance/comfort mods can be done to or added?
figured since it was going to be taken apart, maybe theres an upgrade or two worth doing?
thank you!
97k on teh clock
all ideas are welcome!

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

its a dana 30.. stock front in all cherokee's buy a $5 gasket for the cover and u'll b set

4.3L XJ

Dana is the manufacturer of the front axle. They numbered the axles by size. So a D30 is smaller than a D44, which are all smaller than a D60 which is found in the rear of 3/4 tone trucks and front of one tons. The company is actually Spicer/Dana but people have taken to dropping the first part of the name off because it is easier to say I guess.

DarkCloud

spicer as in the type of clips i guess
but yah
what can i do with the insides of it?
what are the differences?

graduation from lincoln tech over here allows me to rebuild it, but what should i do?
can anyone recommend specifics if i was to change it?
new to xj's a bit =)

4.3L XJ

There are several options. You can change gear ratios, which is not necessary unless you are going up in tire diameter. You can also get lockers and limited slips for it. I would caution you however that some people are not happy with front lockers, while some swear by them. Your first concern however is what you have for a rear end. Most of us have Dana 35 which has inherent weaknesses. I think you may have a Chrysler 8.50 but I can't seem to recall the cutoff dates this late at night. There are others on here that can fill you in on that. Anyway, my point is that you should consider upgrading the rear before the front.

BeastXJ

Since it's an 88, you probably have the vacuum actuated version of the D30. Be a good idea to swap that out with one from a 92 or later. Easier thing to do is you can buy a kit that would change it over to a cable system.

fantic238

Or a 88 limited with the selec trac will work the same.
(i have to kill this myth that only 92 or later are non discos...lol)
He could also swap in just the one piece axle shaft.
Best would be a post 95 with the bigger u joints.