I have a 99 XJ with a 4.5" on 33s and is running stock 3.55 gears for the time being but had plans to swap out for 4.10s or 4.56s when I could afford them and to get them installed... I found a set of axles from a 88 Cherokee a HP D30 and C8.25 with 4.10s on craigslist for $140 for both?
Now I really have no experience swapping out, but would these work?
The Guy seems really knowledgable and said they would work, but they are a 27 spline instead of the 29 spline I have now.
Any suggestions/input?
Thanks!

 

they will work...get them...lOl you'll spend more on gears for your exsisting axles than just getting those! yea their less slines but it would be worth it!

 

Yeah I figured $120 if I came and picked them up before the end of the weekend (eventhough I really have no money to spend) would be worth it!
Would they be a direct swap, just swap over my current brakes?
Oh man I feel like a noob when it comes to gears!

 

lOl its cool man...its all bolt on...if i were you i would clean them up really good before you install them and repaint them will roll bar spray pain...theyll stay clean that way!! I highly suggest you get them...everything will switch over!!

 

He also said it would be best to just take the internals out of the axles and swap them out to mine, to keep my stronger housings, but I feel thats not going to be an easy process...

 

Should just be able to swap the 29 spline shafts to the new axle. Only the C8.25 is 29 spline too.

 

The axles will bolt in, but you might want to consider swapping a few parts from your existing axles. Can't really beat the price for the gear swap, but you don't want to sacrifice strength.

I believe the 88 HP 30(unless it's a swap axle) will have a 2 piece shaft on the passenger side which was vacuum actuated. I believe you can swap in a one piece shaft from your 99 though. Here is a write up of a similar procedure(TJ shafts into a YJ D30) that should give you an idea of what you're getting into.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/yjd3...jconvert-1.htm

To change the 8.25 from 27 spline to 29 spline I believe you would need to swap the shafts, carrier, and spider gears. I couldn't find a write up, but I'm sure there is one out there.