opake

Can someone running an AX-15 trans and np231 transfer case with SYE installed do me a huge favor and measure their rear driveshaft for me? I have to install my 231 with SYE, but the truck is my DD and it's looking like i'll need to order a Tom Woods shaft. Tried the refurbed front shaft from IRO, but it only measures 35" fully extended, which looks like it's going to come up 5" short when i held it up under the truck (and eyeballed where the xfer case yoke would be with the SYE). Truck specs:
96 XJ, AX-15 trans, NP231 with SYE, 8.25 rear out of a 2000), about 3.5" of lift and probably moving up to 5.5-6" in spring
If someone could measure their rear DS for me and give me an idea of the measurements i can send to Tom Woods, it would be awesome. If you need any other info, let me know. Thanks guys!

BigC9164

I was in the same boat as you. I had a 3" lift with the ax15/231/8.25 combo. I went with the JB CONVERSIONS SYE, it is the best on the market. And is still only $199. That company has very close ties with new process gear(the company that produces the np231)http://www.jbconversions.com/product...1j_std_sye.php

Here is a chart that lists all the drive shaft length for the xjs and zjs. You WILL need a longer one! I went with one of the longest ones available...33"... And I still only have about 2" of slip left in the driveshaft. I found one on eBay for $30 and repainted it and put new u joints in it. For a grand total of $250 for a full SYE and DriveShaft! And it has given me nothing but smiles!!!!

These are measurements UJOINT TO UJOINT

BOLD ONES ARE LONGEST

XJ 87/88 2.5 Automatic 27.950 53003912
XJ 89/93 2.5 Automatic 27.970 53005540
XJ 89/01 2.5 Manual 25.310 53005541
XJ 89/01 4.0 Automatic 30.660 53005542
XJ 89/01 4.0 Manual 29.250 53005543
XJ 89/00 4.0 Manual 27.080 Export 53005544
XJ 89/00 4.0 Automatic 28.620 Export 53005545
XJ 87/88 4.0 Automatic Export 53005260 *
XJ 95/01 Diesel 27.640 Export 52098208

ZJ 1993 4.0 Automatic 30.530 52098341
ZJ 93/95 5.2 Automatic 32.870 w/o CV 53008427
ZJ 94/95 5.2 A500 30.625 w/o CV 52087805
ZJ 94/95 4.0 A500 w/o CV 52098790
ZJ 93/96 4.0 Manual 52098344
ZJ 93/96 4.0, 5.2 31.875 w/ 231, 242 52087805
ZJ 93/95 4.0 Manual 30.000 w/231 52088090
ZJ 93/96 5.2 33.000 w/ 231 53008427
ZJ 96/98 5.2, 5.9 31.250 w/ 249 & Model 30 52098379
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 32.875 w/ 249 & Model 30 52098501
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.000 w/ 242 52098707
ZJ 96/97 4.0 Automatic 31.250 52098850
ZJ 1996 5.2 Automatic 30.750 w/ 249 & Model 30 52099246
ZJ 96/98 4.0 33.500 w/ 249 52099260
__________________

BigC9164

xj_maniac_newb

kinda off topic, but i wonder how big your lift has to be to use a 2wd driveshaft?

jmm0122

A 2wd driveshaft will not work as it is a rear shaft, and you need a front shaft out of a jeep. Unless im reading your statement wrong.

xj_maniac_newb

Anything will work with a little modification. And I mean length wise lol.

How high is your jeep sitting when it becomes necessary to use a 2wd driveshaft

jmm0122

Never heard of anyone making a factory rear shaft into a double cardan shaft but I suppose it can be done, somehow. Haha

xj_maniac_newb

Anythings possible with a hammer, welder, and sawzall.

dogger15

Get a front ds out of a grand Cherokee. They are longer than the front of a xj one

Also curious to see how this turns out. Will be doing the same very soon and bigc what joints did you get?

torque062

I cheaped out and did the IRO hack n tap.. got a front ds from a 94 v8 zj. It's actually a bit too much on the long side for my application. I'm running it on a 93 ax-15 xj with 3~4" of lift and 32s.

dogger15

I'm about 4"-4.5" lift right now

TheJerm

I would guess like 12" lift and/or/with extreme axle stretch. 2wd DS is really long.

I'm at 4.75" lift, AX15, 231, hack n tap that came with it and my rear DS is 34.75" long from centers of ujoints. Stock front DS's wouldn't work will mine cause I stretched the rear 1-2" with s10 leafs

BigC9164

I just went with the duralast golds...probably not as strong as spicer but if they break they have a lifetime guarantee and autozones are EVERYWHERE.

My shaft is 33" collapsed ujoint to ujoint. and like in the picture above it works great! but i am unsure if i will be able to use it when i go up to 6.5" of lift. I am hoping when i do an 8.8 swap i will gain an inch or two back.

dogger15

thanks, ive been waiting for someone to make a thread again with this subject with the ax15... now i just need to decide what sye i want to get

opake

Thanks for the replies guys, i'll probably try a ZJ driveshaft if i can find one at a local JY soon. In terms of the SYE, I came into some money so I had a shop called Mountain Garage ship me an entire unit. They use HD internals, a wider chain, and install the SYE before shipping it out to you. No core charge, and came to my house for $899. Yeah i know i wussed out and didnt just build my own or HnT, but hey like I said, i came into a little coin i could blow on my truck.