front axle help!!!
 

Hey guys my buddy has an 01 Cherokee with the Dana 30 low-pinion front axle, we went to the junkyard to get him a new front axle cuz his is shot so we found one Cherokee with the axle still there. It was off a pre 96 so it was a Dana 30 CAD, it has the vacume line to engage the hubs but his OEM front axle dosnt. Is this swap possible because his jeep ain't got the vacume line hook up or should he just look for the 96-99 high-pinion Dana 30?

Ide look for a dana 30 without the CAD
The CAD is known for having issues, and the U joints
on the axle shafts are smaller.

But for now would my buddy be able to drop it in or the 4wd won't work?

You can install that one as a DD, but he would be better off waiting.
You need to locate a >91 D30 with ABS or >95 so that the axles will have the 297X U joints.

Thanks for the help guys

You can make it work with the cable lock mod. Gets rid of the vacuum system.

Is it possible to take the axle shafts out of
a non CAD dana 30, and put them in a CAD dana 30?
I havent searched yet, the question just popped in my head lol

Remember to check that the new axle has the same gear ratio before you hook up the front drive shaft and use the 4 wheel drive. Really bad things happen to the transfer case if the ratios do not match.

It need be to run the DD in 2 wheel drive only. You can use any axle ratio. Just leave the front drive shaft out.

Don't know.

yeah, it can be done. you will need to remove the smaller outter axle seal in the tube at the CAD, then install a new inner seal at the pumpkin. this requires you to remove the carrier and make up a tool to press the new seal in.
then you can just make a block off plate for the CAD opening.

this axle is a stronger setup due to the cast upper control arm mount on that side.
it's a bit of work, but with that housing and the larger joint shafts, i think it's a little more desirable.

So your saying that a CAD axle with the non CAD shafts is the stronger setup?

Is the front axle then always functioning? Please elaborate on that if you could...

I've seen the tool you are describing for the seal. I don't remember who posted it. I wanna say it was a Moderator...

Lol im gettin a lil excited.
Looks like my front end might be gettin
torn apart again...
Ide really like bigger and better
joints on the front.

yeah, the CAD axle with the larger shafts is a better and stronger option, but it is a bit of a pita to get it all together.

it is always functioning, but not noticeable in 2wd. but 4wd is worry free. no different than modifying the disco fork to lock it engaged.

i was gonna go that with my old axle, but for pure ease and only a temp axle till the 44 gets finished, i went with an older axle i had with abs, so no cad and larger shafts with no work, other than swapping knuckles so my calipers bolt up, but other than that.... it's good for now.

Would he be able to.swap out axle shafts from his original axle shafts and place them in the CAD axle?

yes, but like mentioned, he would have to remove the seal for the split shaft and install a new non disco seal in the passenger side of the pumpkin so it's the same as a non cad axle.
it is not hard to do, just a fair bit of work to get it done. then just block off the opening for the CAD motor.
then you gain the strength of the passenger side solid cast upper control arm mount as opposed to the flimsy non disco axle mount.