Rear shaft and SYE questions.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 52
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From: Brunswick Ohio.
Model: Cherokee
I have a 98 xj, on 6" lift. D35 rear end 231 tcase. I'm looking into putting in a SYE kit and need to know what SYE kits are good but cheaper. And what drive shaft to use for my application. I've heard V8 grand Cherokee's front shaft can work. Are there any other options?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
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From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I'm not so sure he can use a stock front shaft. I had to go zj front shaft and I only have 4ish lift in the rear. And I have an 8.25 rear axle which has a longer snout than the 35. Personally if you're at 6" lift you're probably running big enough tires that you should have an 8.25.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
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From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by SatiricalHen
I'm not so sure he can use a stock front shaft. I had to go zj front shaft and I only have 4ish lift in the rear. And I have an 8.25 rear axle which has a longer snout than the 35. Personally if you're at 6" lift you're probably running big enough tires that you should have an 8.25.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick Ohio.
Model: Cherokee
I'm running 33"s and have the D35 rear end and 6" lift. I've heard mixed about using the xj front shaft. Just talked to a guy saying he used one with 9" lift....
I plan full SYE, not hack and tap. Tom words or custom shafts are $ that I don't have at the moment.
I plan full SYE, not hack and tap. Tom words or custom shafts are $ that I don't have at the moment.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick Ohio.
Model: Cherokee
I'm not so sure he can use a stock front shaft. I had to go zj front shaft and I only have 4ish lift in the rear. And I have an 8.25 rear axle which has a longer snout than the 35. Personally if you're at 6" lift you're probably running big enough tires that you should have an 8.25.
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If you want a cheap one, grab a hack and tap. They work really well if the work is done right. If you don't have the tools, It's worth the money to have a machine shop cut the shaft and drill and Tap the hole. Rubicon Express sells one. I think IRO does as well. So do a couple others. I figure a D35 will blow up before a HnT output shaft will so you should be good. But if you want the most durable, get a full replacement SYE kit.
As far as a driveshaft, you really should install the SYE and measure, but being on a D35 you're probably going to replace the rear end eventually anyway. You can probably get away with a GC front shaft for the time being, and go custom shaft for whatever rear end you go with.
As far as a driveshaft, you really should install the SYE and measure, but being on a D35 you're probably going to replace the rear end eventually anyway. You can probably get away with a GC front shaft for the time being, and go custom shaft for whatever rear end you go with.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
if he used a stock front shaft with an 8.25 and hack-n-tap maybe. The hack-n-tap sticks out farther than a true sye. The hack can bend the output shaft though. If you get an advance adapters sye it comes with an upgraded main shaft. There are other syes that are shorter that would require even longer shafts.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 44
From: Gainesville GA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have a 8.8 with 6.5 inches of lift & 35s. I got the correct yoke on here for $50. Paid a guy $50 to cut & tap the t case. I used a V8 ZJ front drive shaft (32 inches long) that I got from the jy for $25.
Works just fine, even while under medium to heavy throttle.
Works just fine, even while under medium to heavy throttle.


