Hi guys, I'm pretty new around here, so don't beat me up too bad!

I have a '95 ZJ, with a front ring/pinion that has chewed itself up. Somebody was in there before me based on the sloppy RTV job he did on the cover. The oil that came out of it wasn't 75w-90/140. It was much thinner, maybe like 20w-50.
I want to fix it, but I'm not sure what parts I need are compatible to do different things.

From poking around the web, I see there are different front drive shaft set ups, some with u-joints others not? Are they interchangeable?
The drive axles have either CV joints or U-joints? Mine are CV. Is that good or bad? Can one be easily converted to other?
I can rebuild the 3.73 diff but it would be costly. Whose parts are better than the rest?
I can buy a junk yard front axle for less. Are these things reliable enough that I wouldn't be repeating this again in a year or 2?

 

Yeah get a junkyard axle, they dont go bad very often, usually only from running big tires or a locker in the front. As for the shafts, I personally think cv shafts are better, came on the AWD models, and u can swap either axle right in. Cv or u joints, they all fit. A remaned cv axle is about 40 bucks from any parts house. A axle for a u joint type is much more, and much harder to find.

 

OK, junkyards here I come!

What is the difference between a low pinion and a high pinion diff besides the obvious? How do you tell them apart?

What year front axles fit that '95?

I'm done pestering for tonite

 

If you can, get a high pinion if you take your ZJ off road much. The HP axle is about 30% stronger and has better pinion angles if you have a lift kit. Be sure the gear ratio is the same as the rear. Axles from the 91-99 XJ will work and be HP axles, 93-98 ZJ axles will work for you too and maybe WJ axles will work.

 

93-98 zj all work
xj axles will as well


ZJ axles have 3.73 gears if a v8 ,as v8's come prepped for towing ,so a v8 has the 3.73 ...if the zj has an I-6 it's unlikely it will be blessed with 3.73's since they are not stock tow prepped ...XJ axles , well I have no idea ,but most have 3.55's .

 

If it's not lifted you will have drive shaft clearance issues with a high pinion axle.

 

How do you tell by looking if it's HP or LP?

 

Look at the pinion... if its at the top of the pumpkin its a HP and vice versa.

 

I should be able to spot that pretty quick

Thank you!

I've had an '87 V-12 Jag for about 11 years now and I know every nut, bolt, wire, and part on it along with what interchanges with what and where to buy anything for it at the right price.
I'm starting all over with this ZJ and I'm not used to asking more questions than answering questions

 

No problem man ask away but try searching first!

We all start off not knowing **** about our auto's lol