Gmaster

Im planning on swapping out my turdy 5 ,im on 33s and I plan on offroading so I hear its gota go, anyway can I just buy any 8.25 and with some mods, (sping purches, sping over) swap it in? My biggest question is probly about gears, my mjs got 3:07s, (or atleast thats what I come up with). If I buy a matching set, d30 and chrysler 8.25, will I be able to swap the (hopefully lower geared) ring and pinion from the 30 over to my vac disconnect 30? Also plan on getting atleast lsd, maybe locker. Appreciate any advice.

xjwheeler10

Yea you can swap an 8.25 no problem into the mj. I did on mine. Just need new perches and shock mounts. (if you don't use the bolt plate shock mounts from the mj) And as far as the front gears go you should be able to switch the ring and pinion over to the vac d30. You'll still need to set the gears up properly. Make sure it comes from the same axle i.e. HP30, LP30.

XJlimitedx99

You'd probably be better off finding a pair of axles out of an auto. No need to mess with the gears and could ditch the vacuum disco.

The 8.25 swap should be alright

cruiser54

Gears from an auto trans equipped will be 3.55. Should work well with your manual trans and size tires.

The front end must be a High Pinion unit like your CAD.

Ever think of getting a complete front end from an XJ up to about 96 complete from an auto trans vehicle? Already have 3.55s and no CAD......

Gmaster

Okay so automatic xj axles are my best bet, I actoully like the idea of the disconnect axle, mine still works, but if I need to I can swap in the newer one. I also really like the option of 2low with some mods... need to check for lp or hp I forgot what I have.

caronaxtr

Hit up your local P&P. I was at one near me & they had 4 Cherokees with HP30's & 8.25/29 splines. 100-150/axle for the place near me. Huge upgrade for $300+/-

Did this to my XJ last year. Great time to install lockers, disk brakes, WJ big brake upgrade, & gears (4.56 for 33's)

Gmaster

Did some parts hunting today, no luck with axles but got me some buckets and 3/4 of a center console. Whoo hooo.

motorcharge

I still need to get rid of my 35 in my MJ but I'm leaving it til it explodes. Free til then anyway.

I'd go with an 8.8 long before an 8.25 though. Significantly stronger, disk brakes, better gearing options, more aftermarket support, cheap, plenty of them available and the same amount of work to swap one in on an MJ.

Gmaster

The 8.8s are pricey and then id have to buy new gears for the 30. Plus there different trac widths and use a flange istead of a yoke, ya my 35 is still good but its open:-( and im not spending the $ for a locker only to snap an axle and be stranded.

JandDGreens

Swap them out like Cruiser said. I got to do mine last spring, My XJ now has a decent low gear and it is a pretty easy swap. I don't know the difference between an XJ and an MJ in the rear end but it can't be that much. I would try C.L. and if you get one from a 98 or 99 I think they are High Pinion and if I am not mistaken the u-joints are stronger as well.

Gmaster

Mj are spring under stock, leaf srings are a different width apart from each other. And thats what im gona do, pretty sure I know some one with a private junk yard who has some xjs just hoping there newer 4x4s

motorcharge

I can get them for $100 all day long here.

You can get them in the same gearing as your D30, just check the door codes.

The width is barely different and it's a common swap on XJs. It's barely an inch difference and if you eliminate the c-clips it widens out and eliminates the difference.

There are 1310 flange adapters available and they're inexpensive. Most 8.8 swap kits come with them.

It's the same amount of money and work to do an 8.8 as it is an 8.25 and the 8.8 beats the 8.25 in every way. You should be able to find an inexpensive one, they were in every Explorer and Mountaineer and there's plenty of them in junkyards.

Gmaster

Ill keep that in mind

JandDGreens

Gmaster is so right, I bought mine for $250 which is not really that bad. But when you consider everything that goes with installing it, re-gearing the the Dana 30, SYE, you are looking to spend upwards of $1,000 to $1,500. That is why you would be way better off spending around $300 to $500 on the Dana 30/ Chrysler 8.25 and land them already with better gearing than the 3.07. I must say there is a huge difference between 3.07 gears and 3.55 gears alone. and you should have no problem finding some one who is parting out a XJ with that combo for cheap.

cruiser54

Too easy, ain't it?