Hi folks, first time poster, long time fan.

I've got a 1998 Grand Cherokee Laredo that is my pride and joy, but sadly when changing the diff fluid I noticed there's iron filings all over the place and upon further inspection and after getting a couple of opinions I think I need a new front axle.
A buddy of mine has offered to sell me the front axle from his old '96 XJ Sport for $100. My main question is are these axles compatible? Things I'm thinking about are brake size, gear ratios in the differential, bolt pattern for the wheels, etc. As far as I know they are both dana 30s.

Any info, advice, or links to documentation are much appreciated! Thank you!

 

The axle ratios MUST be the same! that's a given. As far as I know it's a bolt in swap. The XJ axle may be a high pinion, but that really doesn't matter as long as either your driveshaft fits or his does. Both are 4.5X5 bolt pattern and I believe the brakes are the same. If yours is a V8, you may have to switch to the 4.0s steering linkage. The V8 has heftier linkage and IDK if the joints will fit his axle.

If the axle ratio is different, you'd be money ahead to have yours rebuilt.