Need help with rear axle swap on my 1988 Cherokee 4x4 5spd

[Insidious_XJ]

Hello guys my name is Hugo I'm new to the 4x4 lifestyle lol!

I just recently bought my first XJ I purchased it with a broken rear diff
The jeep stills drive but only in 4x4 high or low. I just have a big dilemma on what type of rear end to use or replace. Right now it has a D35 but broken.
If any one knows what will be the easiest route to go.

Thanks again and I'm also new to this forum.


I'll post pictures of it later......

[4.3LXJ]

Hugo, the best and cheapest thing is to get a rear end from a 97 and up XJ. They are the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle and are much stronger than the D35. You need to make sure the ratio matches the front. Only two ratios for the entire run.

[Insidious_XJ]

So if I get one from a 97 and up do I need to replace my front axel?

Thanks for the reply 4.3LXJ

[xj-jake]

No Hugo you wouldn't need to replace the front unless the gear ratio is different. As long as you have a matching set of ratios it's pretty much a bolt in exercise.

[Insidious_XJ]

How would I know if I have the same gear ratio? Are automatic and 5spd the same rear Axels and differential????

[4.3LXJ]

The auto version is 3.54:1 and manual tranny is 3.07:1 for all years. There should be a tag on the diff cover that has the tooth count of the gears front and rear

http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13203

[Insidious_XJ]

Perfect now I'm on the hunt and I can't seem to find anything around here
So now I have to wait longer to drive my jeep.

[4.3LXJ]

Where is here?

[Insidious_XJ]

. I live in Gilroy,CA in the Bay Area

[4.3LXJ]

Lots of Pick and Pulls in CA. You might have to make the trip out of town. My favorite yard in NorCal has them for $100

[Insidious_XJ]

Witch one is your favorite pick n pull? Where you from?

[Insidious_XJ]

Do you guys think it be easier just to replace the center rear diff itself and not the whole axel?

[4.3LXJ]

That yard in in Oroville, north of Sacramento. It is easier to just replace the whole thing. Problem is finding one with the 3.07 gears

[Mudderoy]

If you have any plans for larger tire diameters, 30"+ I'd seriously consider getting two replacement axles. 97+ Chrysler 8.25 for the rear and a high pinion Dana 30 for the front. They both should be pretty cheap and it will be easier to find the 3.55 ratio. 3.55 with a standard trans and I'll guess up to 32" tires should be a pretty good combo.

Also you CAN run a different ratio in the rear but you can NEVER engage 4x4 with the 3.07 in front. You could remove the front drive shaft to make sure you don't accidentally engage 4x4.

[prerunner1982]

Tony beat me to it. Probably will find more Autos than manuals and it's a cheap bolt in way to get slightly lower gears to run slightly bigger tires.

I am in the process of doing this as well while at the same time putting a lift on.

[Mudderoy]

Tony beat me to it. Probably will find more Autos than manuals and it's a cheap bolt in way to get slightly lower gears to run slightly bigger tires.

I am in the process of doing this as well while at the same time putting a lift on.

Do you recall tire size you can run with 3.55 and standard transmission that equals stock gearing? I can look it up, but thought you might know it.

[prerunner1982]

I believe it is about 33". That it what I plan to run.

[prerunner1982]

(New tire size/OE tire size) x OE ratio = New ratio

33/29 = 1.1379
1.1379 x 3.07 = 3.4934

The larger tires will add some weight that stock gearing/tire size didn't have to deal with.

[Insidious_XJ]

Would a 96 Cherokee rear end fit my 88 or know if they gave the same gear ratio.

[4.3LXJ]

Yes it will fit. If out of a 5 speed,same ratio

[07Negative]

If you haven't found a replacement yet. Try these guys
http://www.jwjeep.com

[Insidious_XJ]

So I bought a 1986 Cherokee Laredo 5spd 4x4 would the rear end and transfer case
Work with my 1988 Cherokee 4.0?

[prerunner1982]

If the 86 is a 4.0 also the rear axle should work fine.
The transfer case may, I am not as up on the tcase spline count and such as I should be. There were a couple of transfer cases offered early on infact the tcases we most commonly associate with the Jeep Cherokee (NP231 and NP242) weren't offered until 1987.

[4.3LXJ]

The transfer case will work, however it is an NP207. Nothing wrong with it, but things like slip yoke eliminators and other upgrades are not available. Also spur cut reduction gears, so it will be noisy in low range. Also 2.62 instead of 2.72 low range ratio