wmpttr125

I'm about to install a lift on my 98 cherokee and plan to use a front drive shaft to replace the rear instead of buying a new one. When I get new U joints for the drive shaft, are they the same for the front and rear? Or are there 2 different ones, one size for the front and another size for the rear?

Roblaza

I put 3 MOOG super strength joints in the front shaft... i believe they were 280's

wmpttr125

Whats the difference in the sizes? Is there a specific size that I have to use for a front drive shaft that will be used in the rear?

osprey

Since you have a front shaft they're the same. If you blow up a rear u-joint you can just swap shafts. You won't have your front till you replace it and you can put the repaired one up front and leave the previous front in the rear. I've done this a couple if times now. Going to ubolts instead of the straps

wmpttr125

What size U joints should I get? I've found a few different ones but I'm not sure what the difference is

gpXJ

Driveshaft ujoints are 1310. I would recommend getting the sealed non greats able ones. They are stronger due to not having a hole drilled in the cross for the grease zerk and you can't grease them once they're installed anyways.

PocketsEmpty

3? don't you mean 2?

ta2tony

3 u joints in the front DS. 1 at the axle and 2 in the CV joint...

wmpttr125

Alright thanks!

PocketsEmpty

This a regular XJ right? I think mine only has two...

Slugger

the axle only has two. drive shaft has 3.

wmpttr125

I thought there was only 2 U joints on each drive shaft, one where it connects to the t case and one where the shaft connects to the axle. Wheres the 3rd one?

PocketsEmpty

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'm almost positive mine only has 2.

ohio95xj

your front driveshaft has a cv joint(which has 2 u joints) where the driveshaft connects to the t-case, and one u joint where it connects to the axle.
also, are you running an SYE? because i'm pretty sure you need one to use a front driveshaft in the rear. by the way, if you are unsure about your front shaft, google image search cherokee front driveshaft and you will see.
i have another question, why not just keep your rear shaft, why won't it work

XJwonders

Because the rear driveshaft is a slip yoke type. When axle go up and down, the yoke slips in and put to compensate. When you lift the vehicle, the yoke slips out a little. And the degree of driveline is off, causing noises.
A sye eliminates that and use double cardan driveshaft which is what front one uses.