XJ ZJ axles interchangable?
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262
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From: South Dakota
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hey I am wondering if the axles for the cherokee and grand cherokee are the same length and bolt pattern.
What I am really looking to do is the make my cherokee have rear coil springs instead of leaves.
Anyone ever do this/have a write-up for this?
Anyone know is GC's came with dana 44's? I'm guessing they did but I am not for sure.
Thanks in advance.
What I am really looking to do is the make my cherokee have rear coil springs instead of leaves.
Anyone ever do this/have a write-up for this?
Anyone know is GC's came with dana 44's? I'm guessing they did but I am not for sure.
Thanks in advance.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,245
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey (Milltown, Lavallette, and Wayne)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Very much agreed mainly because they lack some after market support. The strength could be there if the axle is trussed properly, but it would be more of a headache to deal with than just finding a different axle that has coil buckets and will be able to use the four link setup such as something like an 8.8 that has really strong attributes. Plus some of them came with disk brakes!!
Registered Users
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: NW Oregon
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The Front ZJ axle is a LOW pinion Dana 30.
The rear ZJ axle is a 5 link Dana 35 OR Dana 44A (aka Dana 44HD)
Us ZJ users swap XJ's Front HIGH pinion Dana 30 in.. with 297 joints..
for the rear, an 8.8 or 9" is the best way to upgrade. due to all the bracketry
The rear ZJ axle is a 5 link Dana 35 OR Dana 44A (aka Dana 44HD)
Us ZJ users swap XJ's Front HIGH pinion Dana 30 in.. with 297 joints..
for the rear, an 8.8 or 9" is the best way to upgrade. due to all the bracketry
Maybe slightly off topic, but why don't people that want to do rear coil swaps just get a 4.0 zj? Would be easiar to put the high pinion 30 in a zj then coils in the back of an xj and get essentially the same outcome with a nicer interior.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 616
Likes: 4
From: Vernon NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
<quote>Dear All, I am still confused and not sure if XJ 1998 rear axle is identical with ZJ 1997 rear axle.
Regards
Janj<quote>
The 1998 Xj came with 2 different rear axles. the 8.25 29 spline for non-abs, and the Dana 35 27 spline for abs models. the internals of the Dana 35 are the same between the XJ and ZJ. The ZJ in 97 will have disk brakes in the back. If you have the 8.25 under your XJ now you already have a strong axle don't down grade to a Dana 35.
For the OP if you are looking for a Dana 44 with spring buckets on it for the rear, look at a Wrangler Rubicon that will have the locker and 4.10:1 gears from the factory and is the same width and bolt pattern as the XJ axles.
Regards
Janj<quote>
The 1998 Xj came with 2 different rear axles. the 8.25 29 spline for non-abs, and the Dana 35 27 spline for abs models. the internals of the Dana 35 are the same between the XJ and ZJ. The ZJ in 97 will have disk brakes in the back. If you have the 8.25 under your XJ now you already have a strong axle don't down grade to a Dana 35.
For the OP if you are looking for a Dana 44 with spring buckets on it for the rear, look at a Wrangler Rubicon that will have the locker and 4.10:1 gears from the factory and is the same width and bolt pattern as the XJ axles.
<quote>Dear All, I am still confused and not sure if XJ 1998 rear axle is identical with ZJ 1997 rear axle.
Regards
Janj<quote>
The 1998 Xj came with 2 different rear axles. the 8.25 29 spline for non-abs, and the Dana 35 27 spline for abs models. the internals of the Dana 35 are the same between the XJ and ZJ. The ZJ in 97 will have disk brakes in the back. If you have the 8.25 under your XJ now you already have a strong axle don't down grade to a Dana 35.
For the OP if you are looking for a Dana 44 with spring buckets on it for the rear, look at a Wrangler Rubicon that will have the locker and 4.10:1 gears from the factory and is the same width and bolt pattern as the XJ axles.
Regards
Janj<quote>
The 1998 Xj came with 2 different rear axles. the 8.25 29 spline for non-abs, and the Dana 35 27 spline for abs models. the internals of the Dana 35 are the same between the XJ and ZJ. The ZJ in 97 will have disk brakes in the back. If you have the 8.25 under your XJ now you already have a strong axle don't down grade to a Dana 35.
For the OP if you are looking for a Dana 44 with spring buckets on it for the rear, look at a Wrangler Rubicon that will have the locker and 4.10:1 gears from the factory and is the same width and bolt pattern as the XJ axles.
There's a guy close to my house who is selling ZJ axle in his add but the vehicle was XJ when i visited him this eve. If i buy only rear right axle of XJ can it be fixed in ZJ 1997.
I have only a day off & vehicle needs to be fixed by tomorrow eve, I don't have left with much time to find a ZJ axle tomorrow morning as sunday is off road plan.
Please Advise.
Regards
Janj
CF Veteran


Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,188
Likes: 6
From: Bristol,Pa
Year: 94
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
A Dana35 axleshaft from a Cherokee XJ will work on a ZJ, as long as it's a c-clip axleshaft. IIRC any XJ after 91? with D35 axle should be c-clip.
Janj, if you have a V8 engine you most likely have a D44a rear axle and would need to source an axle from another ZJ D44a.
Janj, if you have a V8 engine you most likely have a D44a rear axle and would need to source an axle from another ZJ D44a.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 3
From: Visalia, Kalifornia, ussa
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
JG front axels and steering is a direct sway, the rear will also fit after XJ is converted to accept coil springs. Or ZJ rear has leaf perches attachted.
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