'98 XJ front LP Dana 30 into my TJ?

[Justin S.]

I know this isn't the desirable HP but I've found an XJ axle that has already been trussed and re-geared to 4.56 professionally for $500. Has really minimal miles on it, they ended up going bigger. My Dana 30 has something gnarly going on with it, pretty sure it's just a u-joint going out. Has newer ball joints. Regardless, I would spend more than the $500 getting it re-geared not taking into account the trusses and welding. Thoughts?

I'm thinking I'll get a built TJ-ready 8.8 for the rear, unless I come across a Dana 44.

 

[Brian83]

Is it complete? I paid $250 for a LP 30 geared to 4.88 minus axle shafts. I wouldn't pay extra for a truss on a D-30.

Id also look very strongly at a Super 35 kit before you go with an Ford 8.8

 

[Justin S.]

It is complete, only thing it's missing is the brakes. Comes with the original XJ shafts but I will probably upgrade those at some point.

I have noticed some talk of the Super 35 kit on here, I'll have to look into that. I've also found a rear Dana 44 here locally that is coming out of an XJ that already has chromoly shafts, 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker. I would need, or hire someone to weld on all the tab and perch for this obviously. Axle is $1000 which seems like a great deal given everything on it.

 

[sourbluff]

Little bit of road trip but this might be better choice for rear if 4.56 is your desired gears.

I don’t think the Dana 30 sounds like an awful deal but maybe little high for an open diff.

 

[Justin S.]

Yeah that is pretty much perfect, but at 12 hrs one way I may be sleeping on the couch when I get back. Thanks for posting that.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

why isn't the 98 the desirable HP? Should have the larger u-joints and no CAD, I think that's the one people look for.

I wouldn't really care for the truss but it'll cost you more than $500 to buy another one and have it regeared, so by that measure it seems like an ok deal to me even if it costs a little more than other similar axles. I would have happily jumped on that when I was buying and regearing my HP axle last year.

 

[Justin S.]

Thats a good question, not sure but it is def an LP. So the only thing I would really need to install this is an adapter for the larger u-joints or a new drive shaft right? I was intrigued by the truss but you aren't the first person to downplay it, but yes even without taking that into consideration it seems like a good swap and good deal.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Thats a good question, not sure but it is def an LP. So the only thing I would really need to install this is an adapter for the larger u-joints or a new drive shaft right? I was intrigued by the truss but you aren't the first person to downplay it, but yes even without taking that into consideration it seems like a good swap and good deal.

sorry, I misread your thread title and thought you were talking about an HP and that this was a less desirable HP than others. I wouldn't worry too much about the HP. It's a marginal improvement for a very specific use case that doesn't apply even to a good portion of people that have done the swap. Though I thought all XJs were HP up to around 2000. Maybe not.

The larger u joints I was talking about are for the axle shafts. Somewhere around 96 they upsized them but that'll already match the ones in your TJ anyway.

Either XJ axle, LP or HP, is a direct bolt-in in every possible way.

 

[Justin S.]

Oh really, I didn't realize that. I thought there was some small adjustments to be made either at the ujoint on the drive shaft or that the tabs for the control arms were slightly off and needed adjustable CA's. I already have those so I'm good to go anyway. I'm planning to just pull my brakes off and slap them on here.

Should I go ahead and do an axle shaft upgrade at this point anyway? I'm running 35's on a 4.5" lift.

 

[sourbluff]

If it is the front in Cedar Rapids it is from 98 ZJ, not XJ which is why is LP. Doesn’t change anything, should still bolt right in. I don’t know what you have planned for steering but stock configuration seems to be most recommended so might want to make sure they haven’t changed anything for the red setup in those pics. Not a major issue, parts from your current axle I believe should swap.

Personally I am wanting deeper than 4.56 for 35s but depends on your tranny as well.

If you want to basically be done with it would be good time to upgrade shafts. Of course everything like that is more money.

 

[Justin S.]

Sorry, you are correct it's that ZJ. My TJ is a sport, 4.0L with the 5sp manual. I don't really plan to do any crazy rock crawling in it, just more trails, and I still want to be able to drive it on the highway now and then. Not my daily, but I do like driving it 2 or 3 days a week to work in the summer when the weather is nice.

I've been rolling around with stock 3.07 gears on these 35's....it's awful and I think 4.56 would be a crazy huge change. Could be wrong though, and maybe I should be looking at 4.88

 

[Brian83]

I have a 5 speed with 4.88 and 35s. I wouldn't want any less gearing with 35s and at times wish I had 5.13s.

 

[tworley]

I'm sure happy going to 5.13s.

 

[sourbluff]

That front would be fine for what you are planning. Should be ok without upgrading shafts now if don’t want to further increase cost. Can always keep a stock set as spares until decide need to upgrade.

If you are on 3.07 then I’m sure you will see change at even 4.56 but most will recommend at least 4.88 or even 5.13. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...angler-tj-lj-and-other-re-gearing-faqs.17063/

New carriers or lockers, gears and install kit, and labor to have gears set up adds up QUICK. So while maybe not ideal if you can get bolt in axles with 4.56 at bargain probably not bad move. I’m in same boat but at least LJ came with 3.73 and Dana 44 in rear so is serviceable while I collect parts.

 

[Justin S.]

I'm sure at some point I'll see the short comings, but I don't think I'll get into really crazy rock crawling anytime soon. If and when I do I have a feeling I'll be bumping up to a newer jeep anyway. Right now I have approval from the domestic manager to spend in the $2-3k range...so.

Feeling pretty good about the Dana 30. Now just have to decide what to do with the rear. that local XJ Dana 44 is looking pretty good but I'm worried I'll hate the Detroit locker around town. Probably deciding between that and a super 35 kit at the moment. Although I think the kit will end up being a lot more than the Dana 44 Since it's already 4.56, has a locker and chromolys and I could get it welded up for around $500 plus the $1k price tag on it.