Replacing XJ U-Joints With ZJ CV Shafts

tedparis · 2016-03-24 14:30:56

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/catdog/images/3/3e/Tumblr_n56jjialcd1qkd8xuo2_500.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150827144512 (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiq-62FztnLAhVTwWMKHf2oC24QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcatdog.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FWinslow_T._Oddfellow%2FGallery&bvm=bv.117868183,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNHxFkaQKq6TLV8JWlFu1vakIe4PPw&ust=1458918750460679) https://36.media.tumblr.com/287235f164c1346ff81f26a27a371ead/tumblr_inline_nzvmngcXft1rjr9gs_540.jpg (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiq-62FztnLAhVTwWMKHf2oC24QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tumblr.com%2Ftagged%2Fbroke-nigga-****&bvm=bv.117868183,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNHxFkaQKq6TLV8JWlFu1vakIe4PPw&ust=1458918750460679) My thoughts exactly lol

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Mar 24, 2016 | 01:15 PM

#16

Xj88

Old School CF Moderator

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 9,652

Likes: 3

From: Chattanooga

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

My thoughts exactly lol

Mar 24, 2016 | 01:25 PM

#17

SatiricalHen

CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 5,924

Likes: 203

From: Greenville, SC

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

Alright! Well I am glad I asked you guys then, maybe I will keep the U-Joints on my Wheeler then and put the CV shafts on my daily driver since I only use it when I am in snow and rain anyway, so I don't have to worry about strength so much.

what 4wd mode are you using in the rain? Why do you need 4wd in the rain?

Mar 24, 2016 | 01:27 PM

#18

tedparis

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 52

Likes: 0

From: Michigan

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by SatiricalHen

what 4wd mode are you using in the rain? Why do you need 4wd in the rain?

I live in Michigan and the dirt roads turn into mud, so I like to use 4x4 because its more stable at 70 miles an hour when on dirt.

Mar 24, 2016 | 01:29 PM

#19

SatiricalHen

CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 5,924

Likes: 203

From: Greenville, SC

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

It sounds like your problem is improperly use of 4wd to me. Part time 4wd should only be used on non paved surfaces unless completely covered in snow, that is what causes the hoping in 4wd turning on pavement. The wheels have to slip which causes hoping. Most grands have full time 4wd and so when you put them in 4wd the transfercase takes up the difference in speed and doesn't hop.

Mar 24, 2016 | 01:30 PM

#20

SatiricalHen

CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 5,924

Likes: 203

From: Greenville, SC

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

I live in Michigan and the dirt roads turn into mud, so I like to use 4x4 because its more stable at 70 miles an hour when on dirt.

you shouldn't be doing 70 down a muddy dirt road...

Mar 24, 2016 | 01:31 PM

#21

Xj88

Old School CF Moderator

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 9,652

Likes: 3

From: Chattanooga

Year: 2001

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

You shouldnt be doing 70 in 4wd, period.

Mar 24, 2016 | 02:08 PM

#22

Atmos

CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 7,387

Likes: 10

From: City of Trees, CA

Year: 93 2 door

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xj88

You shouldnt be doing 70 in 4wd, period.

Randy Slawson disagrees

Mar 24, 2016 | 03:05 PM

#23

Big David

CF Veteran

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 2,720

Likes: 44

From: Gainesville GA

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

Right! Those are CV joints they are 1000 dollars, getting some Grand Cherokee Shafts will be a lot cheaper, I found some on craigslist for 50 dollars.

This is where you start to smell a troll.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

I live in Michigan and the dirt roads turn into mud, so I like to use 4x4 because its more stable at 70 miles an hour when on dirt.

And this is where said troll is confirmed.

Mar 24, 2016 | 10:20 PM

#24

Rogue4x4

::CF Administrator::

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 14,479

Likes: 805

From: Blunt, South Dakota

Year: 97

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.6 stroker

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

EXACTLY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

someone has already come up with a solution

http://www.polyperformance.com/RCV-U...ep-TJ-XJ-YJ-JK

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

Right! Those are CV joints they are 1000 dollars, getting some Grand Cherokee Shafts will be a lot cheaper, I found some on craigslist for 50 dollars.

If this were the case, everyone would be doing it. There's a big reason they aren't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xj88

My thoughts exactly lol

SEE ABOVE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xj88

You shouldnt be doing 70 in 4wd, period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmos

Randy Slawson disagrees

He is NOT Randy Slawson, LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big David

This is where you start to smell a troll.

And this is where said troll is confirmed.

Troll, no troll...no matter.

This thread was doomed from the get go.

Mar 25, 2016 | 06:51 PM

#25

Jeep Driver

Banned

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 1,054

Likes: 4

Model: Cherokee

I've been running CVs for a year now..........wonderful.

Feb 26, 2026 | 10:05 PM

#26

Zucker

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2026

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Its interesting the conversation about CV vs U-Joint. I'm leaning to the CV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparis

Hey guys, while I've been out wheeling and when I'm driving on the road I notice how bad the U-Joints operate at high speed. I am looking to replace the U joints with CV shafts to eliminate the uneven rotating speed. For those of you that don't know, U joints have a flaw in there nature. They rotate at a changing angular velocity that becomes more sever as the angle they are experiencing increases. I am an intern studying to be an engineer and one of the challenges we have had is dealing with U Joints on our heavy duty trucks. The Jeep XJ I believe has 3 U-Joints that are not counteracted by another U-Joint. The front U-Joint that inputs to the front axle, and then the two U-Joints that feed the wheels on the front axle. The CV shaft was developed to eliminate this issue and although I am new to Jeeps I know this is a problem for me because I had to have my bevel gears replaced in my front axle I believe because of the changing velocities of the front differential and axle shafts.

What I want to know is can I put the front drive shaft and axle shafts from a front ZJ axle in my front XJ axle to eliminate this issue? I have a HP Dana 30 on my 98. I don't know what axle the ZJ has or is the drive shafts are swappable.

I think you are on to something. Seeing more and more lean to the CV. It is a good option in my opinion. I Have a friend who swapped out and he has nothing but good things to say.

Feb 26, 2026 | 10:07 PM

#27

Zucker

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2026

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

Don't let the nays have it. The CV is a valid option.

Feb 26, 2026 | 10:41 PM

#28

Zucker

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2026

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

You can use the

CV Axle (New Drive Axle Assembly) Compatible with 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4.
You Tube

Mar 18, 2026 | 06:49 AM

#29

Outlaw Star

CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 34,087

Likes: 256

From: Lantana, Fl

Year: 1996

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.Slow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zucker

You can use the

CV Axle (New Drive Axle Assembly) Compatible with 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4. https://youtu.be/UVzSBu-PZOo?si=WMkHxE4SvfEIaDfp

Zucker, Dex has some decent videos and info, but this thread is almost 9yrs old now and the last post was from 2016. You won't really reach a lot of people by reviving old threads. If you wish to pass on any of this info, I suggest starting a new thread, here in our Modified XJ Tech Section.

Last edited by Outlaw Star; Mar 19, 2026 at 02:36 PM.