So I rebuilt my transfer and sye from jb conversions and put it back in yesterday. I bought a front driveshaft from a 2000 auto xj to put in after reading that it would be plenty long enough for the 5 or so inches of lift I have. Went to bolt it in and found at full extension it is still almost an inch short. The measurement between yokes is 34 1/4". Does this sound normal to everybody? I am in desperate need of some information on what shaft will work for me. Obviously the 30.660" shaft I have isnt enough.
I have the ax-15, np231, c8.25 if that helps.

 

The auto front shaft is for those putting a SYE on an auto, not a 5 speed. AX-15's need a custom shaft. Check with either AA or IRO to get one.

 

I read that the v8 grand cherokees had a longer front shaft like 33 or thereabouts. is that something that might work?

 

Not sure on that. Go to a yard, pull the shaft and measure it out. You do not want to use it if it has to be fully extended to fit. There needs to be room for it to expand and compress.

 

Was about to say, I've been told the grand cherokee fronts were longer as well.

 

X2

 

They are longer, but I can't remember HOW much longer. I know they work perfectly fine with a SYE and an automatic, but I don't think they're long enough for the AX-15; I'm just not 100% on that. Like I said, best way to find out is to measure one that's fully extended. As long as it measures more than your pinion-to-pinion distance you're good.

 

Yup ran into this same problem and still havent solved it yet. Sucker ruined my tcase output beaing from stock DS (from an auto actually) being too short. My measurement was 34.25 as well, yoke to flange.

Option:
1) grand front ds (if it works, hadnt had time to measure myself but research showed it was still 1-2" short for 5"-ish lift)
2) lengthen XJ front ds
3) buy a new custom DS

My conclusion to this situation is to buy a new custom DS with a warrenty because 1) it will be stronger than stock front ds and 2) new parts last longer. Last thing you want to do is find a DS that fits and have the double cardigan go bad next month. Those are not cheap to rebuild and most in jy look pretty sad. 3) can buy new one with longer slip joint.

 

So after a bit of research I have found that that the grand cherokee shaft should fit fine. I'm going to the yard tomorrow to pull one and will report back on the results. Best part is I was told the donor ZJ is parked next to a 2000 3.8 mustang.....time for some injectors! In other news, the reason my transfer was rough was a small fracture in the rear case half that had caused it to run on the dry side. Wish I had known that sooner. Now I have to go JB weld it.

 

the drive shaft you install should should bolt up with the slide youke near the middle of its travel distance to allow suspension travel ,measure from where the center of the u joint caps bolt up to the yokes for proper length.....

 

measure from A to B with slider in middle of travel

 

So today I finally picked up a grand cherokee v8 front shaft and threw it in. Fits perfect and it has about 2" of travel room. Wish the yards in maine were better stocked, I would have had this done last week!