Axle swap help
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok I have a 2001 jeep cherokee 4.0 automatic with a 231 TC. It also has D35 rear axle I wanna get rid of. And I'm sorry if this has been covered before. Ok now that's all said I wanna swap it with a c8.25 or a D44. Which is the best way to go? My cherokee is stock hight right now. I'm looking to do a bolt in swap and maybe adding disc brakes later. So what parts will I need from the donor jeep? Are there any videos out there on this swap? Is it a difficult swap to do? Does the gear ratio matter when doing the swap? All information possible will be appreciated. And I do apologize again if y'all have covered this subject before. Thanks
CF Veteran


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 44
From: Gainesville GA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Grab a 8.25 & the drive shaft. Make sure it's from a '96 & newer automatic, they are all 29 spline & 3.55 like the one you currently have.
Take the 35 out & slide the 8.25 in. It's very simple just time consuming.
Take the 35 out & slide the 8.25 in. It's very simple just time consuming.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok thanks. Well it's a project so time is on my side I guess. Just doing the little cheapest and easiest things right now. No time limit to get it done. I believe it has the D30 front axle how are they?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
IMHO if you can try to buy the front and rear differentials from a 96-99 XJ then you will not only have the Chy 8.25 but you can also do away with your LPD30 and have a HPD30.
This will give you added clearance in the front and I'm guessing ABS brakes as well. If you could find one it might be a good time to buy a good parts XJ for yourself as there are a lot of parts you could use. If you could find one a 99 would be great for what you need even a wrecked one.
This will give you added clearance in the front and I'm guessing ABS brakes as well. If you could find one it might be a good time to buy a good parts XJ for yourself as there are a lot of parts you could use. If you could find one a 99 would be great for what you need even a wrecked one.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You don't want ABS on an Off-Road XJ at all it causes problems, your lucky yours didn't come with it. You never know what parts you might need in the future, but get both the driveshaft's
Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; Sep 21, 2014 at 12:45 PM.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you get a 8.25 it can't have abs never came with it so if you get a parts jeep with an 8.25 then neither axle will have abs and you'll get the hp30 and a 8.25 I got lucky with my 99 and it came with the 8.25
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 457
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From: SoCal
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0


