5.9 axles in 4.0
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
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From: Brick, New Jersey
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What's up? I'm about to pick up a set of front and rear axles from a 98 5.9 ZJ. It's the Dana 30 front and Dana 44a rear. I heard that in order to swap out my Dana 35 for a 5.9 Dana 44a that you need a 1310-1330 hybrid u-joint. Is this true? I know a 44a from a 5.2 ZJ will bolt right up and you can use your stock Dana 35 driveshaft as long as you have 4.5"+ of lift. But is a 44a from a 5.9 different? Or will it bolt up the same way as a 5.2 44a would? Thanks
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
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From: Brick, New Jersey
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
No I don't want put an iron Dana 44 in mine. I'm going to buy a Dana 44A out of a 5.9 and put it in my 4.0 to replace my Dana 35. But I heard that in order to put a Dana 44A from a 5.9 in place of my Dana 35 I need a hybrid u-joint to make it work with my stock driveshaft. I'm wondering if this is true or will it bolt right up just like a Dana 44A from a 5.2 ZJ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
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From: Brick, New Jersey
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I thought the same thing but then I heard the 5.9 Dana 44A has a bigger yoke than the 5.2 Dana 44A and that I would need a 1310/1330 hybrid u-joint. I'm just gonna do the swap and cross that bridge when I get there
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 729
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From: Cape May, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
please post how it works out. im going to be in the market soon to find axles. then start on my 5.5 lift so when i swap the axles the new springs and evrything else go in with it. and i would love to know all the slow point i hit when i get there so im not guessing on anything
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From: Soddy Daisy TN
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
If it does get a yoke from another earlier 44a or 30 (both have the same spline count) and swap it out. You'll need to swap the front as well because the V8s came with 3.73s and the very rare 4.10s and 4Ls have 3.55s.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Lynchburg, VA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
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From: Brick, New Jersey
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I meant to post this months ago. I have been running the Dana 44a out of a 5.9 now for a few months and have been beating on it in the woods. I did need to use a 1310/1330 hybrid u joint to make it work. The swap was well worth it though. I know there is limited aftermarket support, but I still feel as though the ZJ itself has limited after market support skit doesn't bother me. I will be having a TnT truss welded on the 44a soon
Hi guys....i'm running 31" tires on my 4.7 stroked XJ and am going to put a Dana 44a with 3.73s and disk brakes on her. Just wondering if you know what pinion angle I should set it at?
any other info would be appreciated
any other info would be appreciated
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 653
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From: Lynchburg, VA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
The ZJ's with a tow package have 3.73 gearing. the ones without have 3.55 gearing.
Rather than disturb the pinion crush, why don't you build a hybrid driveshaft? Weld your 4.0 driveshaft to the 5.9 driveshaft. If done with care, it doesn't even need balancing.
Rather than disturb the pinion crush, why don't you build a hybrid driveshaft? Weld your 4.0 driveshaft to the 5.9 driveshaft. If done with care, it doesn't even need balancing.


