What front axle can I put in my 2001 grand Cherokee Laredo. I want to put a 4 inch lift on it and need to know what all I'm going to need to change out

 

What do you have on there now? The 4.7L V8's had the Dana 35 up front and the Dana 44 in the rear, while the 4.0L I6 had the Dana 30 up front and the Dana 35 in the rear. I know they make Dana 44 swap kits (which ALSO allow you to swap the axles to Wrangler JK axles, which are FAR more capable), and I'd definitely upgrade to that up front, OR both the front AND rear axles if you have the Dana 30/Dana 35 combo.

-Vince

 

My 2004 WJ Limited, 4.7L V8, has the Dana 30 up front, Dana 44A (aluminum center section) in the rear. That's direct from the Chrysler build sheet. If I were you, Ream76, I would just reinforce the Dana 30 you have, unless you are planning on some very serious rock crawling with 35+ inch tires. With a 4" lift you aren't going to get anything larger than 32" tires in there without some fender trimming anyway. If you still think you want to do an axle swap, I recommend you watch Dirt Lifestyle's YouTube episode on axle swap cost comparisons. It will really open your eyes. It sure changed my mind.

If I do anything to my front axle, it will be tube inserts, C gussets, and probably axle trusses, but I don't plan on going larger than 35" tires and I won't be maxing out my articulation too often. I was considering swapping in a high-pinion D30 from a Cherokee, but I'm beginning to think it wouldn't be worth the cost/work. The guys on YouTube swapping Super Duty axles into their WJs are doing it to create content on their channels to get subscribers and make money. Very few of them do anything that requires the strength of a D60 and unless you happen to have the right D44 on hand, the cost comparison favors the D60 anyway.

 

I have the 4.0 I'm pretty sure it's the dana 30. I have the chance to get a dana 44 just want to make sure it will work
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Not going to do serious crawling but do want to put 33's on it. A friend will sell me a dana 44 and transfer case for $100 and just wanted to make sure it would work. Will I need to change drive lines for the 4" lift?

 

That depends on the type of joints you have on your front drive shaft. With the 4.0, I'm pretty sure you are going to have the rzeppa joints. From what I have read, I don't think those are going to handle a 4" lift for very long and you should consider doing the conversion to a double-Cardon front shaft some of the V8 WJs have in front. They will handle a 4" lift. Something to consider, if you swap to the D44 front axle, unless you have it shortened, you are going to have a different track width on your front axle than your rear axle. The WJ track width is, I believe, about 60.75" from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. Measure that D44 you are thinking about buying and see what the difference is going to be. Also, make sure it has the same gearing your rear has - likely 3.55. When you start swapping axles, you open a whole can of worms you likely didn't think about beforehand. Like I said, if you are going to run 33" tires and a 4" lift and not doing any extreme rock crawling, I would stick with the D30 you already have. It's plenty strong for that. If, somewhere down the road, you happen to break a shaft or chew up the gears, then do the swap. My bet is that it will never happen on your rig. For all the changes you are going to have to do to make the D44 work on your WJ, you could make a nearly bullet-proof Dana 30 for less money and work. You could probably pay for a lunchbox locker for the money you would save sticking with the D30.

 

I believe the Dana 44 should fit.

-Vince

 

Maybe it was the Up Country Group that had the Dana 35 up front. I could've sworn my dad's old '02 WJ 4.7L V8 had the Dana 35 up front (I know it had the Dana 44 in the rear), but we didn't have the Up Country Group. My '02 WJ 4.0L I6 has the Dana 30 (and ALSO doesn't have the Up Country Group, and has the Dana 35 in the rear).

-Vince