Figured I'd stop pestering Cruiser with PMs and make this a thread:

This is what I'm following:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/re...-8-25-a-57807/

Pushing on going junkyarding tomorrow and just wanted a couple of things cleared up. Yes, a Liberty is a straight swap, but there's only one in each yard nearest to me (1hr each way), and I'd rather not go to both if I can help it.

"Any 94-98 ZJ" donor parts will work
Regardless of the axle even? I know some modification is required, but should I worry about if it's got a D35c or D44a rear? I looked up the junkyard VINs on the online build sheet generator. Is the mounting/bolt pattern the same regardless of the axle in this case?

Once and for all, is the ZJ proportioning valve necessary, or is it just a "nice to have?" Because I'm guessing it changes the brake distribution, but I've read multiple write-ups which say "yes," "no," and "if you want."

Building on that, do I need to make sure the donor ZJ is non-ABS, or is the prop valve itself not specific to Jeep's ABS system?

Thanks for answering.

First off, the proportioning valve is not critical, but the disc brake valve will make the system work properly. It affects when the rear brakes first come on. Not sure on the 44A. Almost had one here to disect, but that fell through. The difference would be in the backing plate mounting. I can tell you that on the 99 and up, yes there is a big difference

At first I ran with the oem valve then installed the inner parts of the ZJ valve just to see. To me when having to come down fairly hard on the brakes they seemed better with the ZJ parts. You don't need the complete valve. Just the guts as Cruiser calls them. Don't know about your ABS concerns.

Well, '99–04 would be WJ, so not really an option.

Sounds like from a safety point of view, the prop is necessary (for me)

Many here are running their original valves with no problems at all. I switched out just to see if it mattered. It would have been fine as is was. Pick the valve parts up anyway and decide later.

I checked a few other forums, NAXJA in particular. It seems that as long as it's at least a '94 (apparently '93 isn't viable), the rear disc mount plates and all the other hardware should swap in, regardless of the axle type. One non-forum write-up I found said to make sure you pull the proportioning valve from a disc-model ZJ… I wasn't aware that you could even get a rear drum ZJ. heh

Also, EZEARL, I think you and Cruiser are right on just the guts— apparently the mounting on the stock ZJ prop valve is different from the XJ and it's about sixes to either modify the mounting or swapping out the guts.

Rock Auto shows drum brake parts for a '96 ZJ w/V8.

Anyway here's the guts. Don't mix the XJ and ZJ parts:

It's really that simple. 94 to 98 ZJ parts. Snag the guts.

This is the truth.
What's also true is the ZJ only came with drums on '93. I'm guessing some COULD have carried over in '94.

It didn't.

I didn't think so.

Thanks, gents.

I grabbed and went. Discovered today also that not all junkyards are staffed by Good people. I spent maybe $45 at one yard for everything but the rotors. Went to another yard to get same parts for a buddy (from a liberty) and they wanted $170... What the ****.

Good deal.
$170? You still come out good.

It did carry over. I found this today looking for ZJ parts for my swap.

$5 says someone didn't get the year right. transposed or misread the year

Pretty easy for someone in a hurry ( or workaday who doesn't give 2 ****s ) to misread a "P" as an "R"