New to this forum and looking for advice
 

Hi all
I have a 90 XJ with 4.0L and AW4. D30 non-disconnect front and D35 rear. I'm wanting to do a 4.5 inch lift and 32's soon, and wanted to get to 4.10 gears at the same time. I have been scouring junkyards for a set of axles out of a 4 cylinder XJ for 4.10 gears, but haven't come up with anything yet. So I found a set of axles on craiglist last night. D30 low pinion with 4.10 gears but needs brakes. D35 rear with 4.10, ARB locker, and disc brakes. He is asking $275 each or $500 for both. Not really interested in the front, since I already have a high pinion non-disconnect, and I could regear to 4.10 for want he wants for the axle, or hope I find a 4 cylinder front axle. Now I know the rear D35 is nothing to be proud of, but I figure that because it already has disc brakes, an ARB, and gears, with just 32" tires it would be ok for a few years until I put one tons under this thing. Especially if I could get that rear axle for $200-250. What do you guys think?

why not just buy the matching set? low pinion isn't as bad as some may seem. sure it's not perfect since we have high pinions kicking around, but tj guys are running low pinion and wheel them all the time. i mean, since you plan on going to tons soon, these won't be in all that long anyhow.
then you can sell them for the same as you bought them for once the tons are in.

that rear d35 isn't worth much more than 100 bux, but since it has an arb in it, those are almost a grand new, so i would say 500 for the matching set isn't all that bad.

it's gonna cost you 500 just for gears and install in your d30.

buy the set, that's what i would do...

I had a 6" long arm Rock Karwler kit on my 98 TJ and it was fine with the low pinion 30 up front.

Yeah I just found out yesterday that the front axle also needs hub assemblies to be a complete axle. Not hard to do but adds about $200. I guess I'm still coming out cheaper than if I regeared my front axle and did a rear axle swap with an 8.25 or 8.8, much less getting an ARB for it. This may be a stupid question, but will my front driveshaft have to be modified in any way to go from the high pinion I have to a low pinion? Also the guy told me the front axle is from a TJ, but I think it will bolt right in? Rear axle is set up for an XJ already. May go check them out this weekend

The XJ and the TJ front axles are a bolt in swap. If you know that you are planning on putting 1-ton axles underneath your XJ, why not save your $700 + whatever the air system costs of it doesn't come with the axle and put that money towards the 1-tons instead? You might be able to buy them sooner. Also if I remember correctly the choke point for the gear ratios is the stock diff cover on the D35, you can only go so high before the gears contact the inside of the cover.

Since you want to lift it skip the low pinion its a weaker axle and can cause driveshaft angle problems.I would buy a junkyard 8.25 and save up to have that and your front axle re geared maybe throw in some lockers depending your budget.

I agree. Don't spend any cash on the LP. Check online Junk Yards for some with 4.10s. Last time I checked, they were about 300$ shipped with 4.10s. Way cheaper than paying someone to do it if 4.10s are what you are after.

X3


Don't waste money on the D35 and LPD30 go with the Chy 8.25 from a 97-01 XJ (29 spline axles).


You really might want to reconsider your gear choice also a 4.56 would be a better choice and still be good up to a 33 or 35" tire. New 4.56 gears for a D30/Chy 8.25 run under $500 for the set with master install kits at Rustys where I bought mine. That way you know exactly what you have and the condition its in with lockers of your choice.

Taging. Still running and liking Bendix 9.