I've owned this 2000 Cherokee Classic for about six months now and it's had upgrades done before I purchased it. Could someone please help me figure out exactly what I have. I know it has a 3" lift, and the gears were changed to 4:10's and it's got a posi rear end. my questions are: if the automatic gear configuration is a 2H, 4H, N, 4L does that mean that it's guaranteed to have a 231 transfer case, or is it possible to have a 242 without the internal gear shifter being changed? Since the gears were changed to 4:10's with a posi rear end, how can I know if I have dana 44's or whatever. I know the axles were changed at the time that the 4:10's were installed. I am including some photos, and will be happy to post any underneath photos at anyones request.

 

match the rear axle and front axle covers

 

Your 2HI, 4HI, N, 4LO shift pattern for yout Transfercase id definitely that of an NP231. The NP242 is totally different. Since your XJ is a 2000 and the PO went through the bother to re-gear it, it most likely has a D30/ChryCo 8.25 axle combo. Unless the PO was able to dig up a OEM D44 out of an 87 XJ or if he did the Ford 8.8 upgrade. There is a page on this forum somewhere that shows pics of all XJ axle diff covers so you can just match yours to a pic but, I can't seem to find it. Hopefully one of the other guys will answer your thread and post it so you can see.

 

see freedgr was posting it as I was writing it...LOL

 

Well, I went and took a look at the cover on the jeep and they match up with the back would be a C 8.25 cover, and the front would be a D 30 cover. I don't mean to sound stupid, but if it has 4:10's front and rear, doesn't that have anything to do with the cover as well, or is the cover just specifying the axle type? It doesn't have lockers, but a posi rear end. Is there really that big of a difference?

 

The shape of the cover just allows you to see what type of axle you have. Both the D30 and ChryCo 8.25 can be set up with 3.07 - 4.88 gears.

 

Ok. I appreciate all the help. So if I have a inline 6, 4.0L, and C 8.25/D30 axles and an NP231 transfer case. Can I get some suggestions on what if anything you would do to improve it at this time. It digs great already. I'm just trying to get any input of what to do to improve it. I use it as my main vehicle as well, so it's got to be road worthy as well as digging worthy. how about any info on my posi rear end verses lockers? I have a posi rear end. Was posi standard for this jeep?

 

ok "posi" is gm's trademarked term for their rear ends meaning no-slip (both wheels locked) calling anything else by that name is dumb...jeeps had an option for limited slip but thats all if it is both wheels locked all the time he could have used a lunchbox locker or a full mechanical locker like a Detroit...ohh and for improvements just do routine maintenance don't wheel alone and be well prepared for "what if" situations and then you could possibly improve on the existing lift especially if it was done cheaply by cheaply i mean spacers and shackles or even blocks an actual adjustable track bar and not just re-drilling...stuff like that good luck

 

Hey nice jeep!! I think the jeep is fine how you described it and I don't think I would do anything to it.

 

Thanks Mcguyver. I'm not sure what you meant when you said:

"ok "posi" is gm's trademarked term for their rear ends meaning no-slip (both wheels locked) calling anything else by that name is dumb..."

Calling anything else??? Posi is used on many vehicles. I had posi on my '73 Mach I Mustang with a 351 Cobra Jett Engine with and air ram system, 4 speed Hurst shifter, and Holly 750 Double pumper carb. I guess its not that important. I just didn't understand what you meant when you said "calling anything else by that name is dumb. Jeeps are not the only thing that have posi. I am well aware of what posi is. I wanted it compared to lockers, but I have since found out that information. I'll get removable lockers if I ever choose to get them. The posi is doing great for digging! Posi is meant to slip slighty to not drag your tire like lockers will. That's the limited slip. The technical definition of posi is not what actual posi is, all posi should be limited slip, that's why there is a difference between posi and lockers. By the way the lift kit was not a generic version of lifting a vehicle. I'm well informed about lifts as I did at one time use a generic lift for one of my Mustangs just to raise the rear end. By Generic, I mean the types you mentioned above. The Jeep alredy has a proper lift kit, and 3" seems to be plenty for an on road/off road Jeep. I don't want the center of gravity to high. Just high enough to do the job while digging. I appreciate your words of wisdom about not digging alone etc... I've already experienced the truth in those words. hehehe. I only went on about the posi, because I didn't really care for the way you responded about it. It's not lockers, it's posi that I have. You don't want lockers on a road vehicle unless you can unlock them. That's why it's got posi, (limited slip), so you don't tear up your tires on the road while turning. No offense intended, but I've had posi for 26 years, just didn't know what lockers were as you don't use them for Mustangs. hehe. No point for lockers on a mustang. Posi for Mustangs. All your other advise was wise. Thanks again.

Thanks KenJen11! I Love it as well. I think I'll just leave it be besides maybe a skid plate and a metal or sometime of strong lightweight bumper for the front. I found one, but forgot what it was made of, but it was every bit as strong as a metal bumber without the weight. That way I can mow down the things in my way without hurting the paint job so much, and then I'll add a winch, and maybe a wench. That's a joke.

 

Thanks alot Freedgr! Those photos were very helpfull. Also BuckB91XJ I found your information very helpful as well. Thank you all for the info you have given. You all have sweet Jeeps! I think I'm a Jeep owner for life now, as well as Mustangs. Best of both worlds in my opinion. Anyone else feel free to add anything you would like. I'm open to any and all comments. Thanks to you all.

 

ssheat, that is a totally sweet looking XJ just the way it is. However, since you want to keep it that way armor it up. By that I mean skid plates, sliders and off road bumpers. A winch always comes in handy, too. Then, though it is totally smart to bring buddys along whenever you go 4wheeling. You just won't be so dependent on them. I'm not sure how hardcore of wheeling you will be doing but, if you're like me you airdown your tires whenever off road. It is good to have your own source of onboard air.

 

BuckB91XJ, Thanks for your additions. That's exactly what my plan is, Armor it up! Everything you mentioned is exactly what I'm going to plan on doing here in the near future. I am a hard core digger for what it can handle and even what it can't. hehe. I go with a buddy most of the time. He's got a much older jeep which looks really cool. I have had to get pulled out of a Snow sink hole, and a mud bogger hole. hehehe. The mud was so deep that it only showed 2 inches of my 31" tires. When I was pulled out, the tire was totally flush on the side, like a doghnut with no hole! Fortunately only my front two tires went that deep. Other than those two occasions, It really performs very well! I guess I'm not a timid driver. I'll try most anything. I've had the Jeep on two tires several times. sometimes one front, and one back, and the most scary was when both back tires came off the ground. I didn't feel it, but the people watching said that's what happened. I love this forum, cause I think Im going to buy another Jeep, and really go to town like your Jeep is setup. You sure have a lot of play up/down in your tires. I know there's a specific word for it, but it's slipped my mind. That's totally awesome what you do. When I get my second jeep, I'll be asking you a lot more questions about that intense set up you have going on with yours. Until then, I will add everything you have suggested. I think every one of your suggestions is very wise, and I will heed your advise. My Jeep only has 80,000 miles now. I hope it does me good for a long time. I'm a Utah Digger. Yes it has full coverage insurance just in case! I went and got a Jeep catalog to price out the pieces you mentioned. Oh, one more thing. I always carry a portable 12 volt jumper box, with a built in air compressor, and a power inverter, to charge it, if needed. Thanks Bud.

One last thing. What would you recommend for carrying a spare tire. I have a stup doghnut tire in the back of the jeep that came with it. I just haven't found a dumpster to trash it yet. Actually, I think I'll give it to someone that can actually use it. I have a 12" sub in the back of the Jeep, so I'm looking for the best way to carry a spare tire on the external of the Jeep. Either on the top, or buying a contraption for the rear of the Jeep that will hook on somehow to hold the spare. I've seen them around on other Jeeps, but I also don't want to much added weight. What would you recommend?

 

I actually was totally lucky in finding my spare tire carrier. It is a stocker off of an 89 Cherokee I found in a junkyard. I scored it for $25 bucks. a little cleanup, some rattlecan black and a couple hours of my precious time and it has served me well for 4 years now. I carry a 33" full size spare as I am locked front and rear. Unfortunately the lockers wouldn't allow use of a smaller temp spare. Anyway the tire carrier has carried a 33 all this time and it still works great. For a stocker designed to carry a stock sized 28" tire I'd say that is pretty impressive. I've even backed into trees and rocks pretty hard several times. The spare on the carrier saved me...lol. I definitely recommend the rear bumper mounted spare carrier for the same reason you stated. After tools, spare parts and extraction gear in the back there was no room left over for a fullsize spare tire. Plus the added bonus of a cushion when you have a habit of backing into immovable objects like I do...lol.

 

A few of the Cherokee guys I 4wheel with carry their spares on the top. I personally don't like that as I've been in a few tight situations where a tire on the roof would have really hung me up. That's why I recommend the rear mounted spare. I also don't have a roof rack for that same reason, though I've seen some really nice ones. It's really personal preference though.