New XJ owner...

[Greg]

All you XJ owners might need to educate Catherine & I on the ins & outs of Cherokee ownership.

We picked up a '98 XJ for HER (Yes, we sold her 2WD Montero) so she can putt around in the snows of Colorado. It's the typical Cherokee: 6 Cyl, Auto, 5" lift, 32" tires, etc.

Some of my plans include:

- Toyota rear axle swap ( I'm pretty sure it has a Dana 35.)
- Building some tube rocker protection.
- Building front & rear tube bumpers.
- Increasing tire size to 33's.

I'll probably be asking for XJ info & advise in the near future... Anyone want to hit Fins n' Things?!

 

[MOODY]

Looks like a great platform to start with! You may be pleasantly ( I suppose) suprised to find a Chrysler 8.25 back there, rather than the D35.

 

[James K]

sad, sad day.

 

[I Lean]

[queen]...another one bites the dust...[/queen]

Toyota Tacoma, 2WD, 4cyl. That's yer rear axle donor. If you get a V6 one, it'll be the larger "8.4" diff, which is great but eliminates the possibility of a future E-locker.

Other than that, keep an eye on all the front-end stuff, make sure it's all tight and in good shape to belay death wobble. If it's a short-arm lift, keep watch on the LCA brackets. Reinforce the axle side, and the body side can crack. Long arms will help ride quality and longevity.

 

[Shawn]

You go through more offroad rides than Hickey....

 

[?JMAMA]

FYI
Dana 35 backing plates will not fit on a Dana 44 axle

 

[ace]

Nice looking jeep. I'll be watching for it in the for sale section

 

[Greg]

Looks like a great platform to start with! You may be pleasantly ( I suppose) suprised to find a Chrysler 8.25 back there, rather than the D35.

It's a Dana 35... :-\ I probably wouldn't bother with the swap if it were a 8.25.

 

[Greg]

sad, sad day.

Why? We sold a 2WD SUV in exchange for a 4x4 with a lift? How's that sad, you like lowriders?

 

[Greg]

[queen]...another one bites the dust...[/queen]

Toyota Tacoma, 2WD, 4cyl. That's yer rear axle donor. If you get a V6 one, it'll be the larger "8.4" diff, which is great but eliminates the possibility of a future E-locker.

Other than that, keep an eye on all the front-end stuff, make sure it's all tight and in good shape to belay death wobble. If it's a short-arm lift, keep watch on the LCA brackets. Reinforce the axle side, and the body side can crack. Long arms will help ride quality and longevity.

I'll be looking for a 2WD Taco axle! Are they 1" shorter or 2"?

Long arms might be a bit much for a grocery getter, but you never know.

 

[N-Smooth]

you like lowriders?

actually he does, the K once told me he used to slam trucks when he lived in cali (i think). hope i am not letting the cat out of the bag

i actually like some lowriders too, flame me if you want but the new dodges look sweet dropped! 1/2 ton 2 wheel drives are if you only need a street truck

 

[Greg]

You go through more offroad rides than Hickey....

I'm done buying & selling for some time.

 

[Hickey]

Dana 35 1st pic
8.25 second

 

[Greg]

OOhh.... thanks for the side by side Jer! It looks like an 8.25!!

Here's the axle-

 

[Greg]

Nice exhaust, huh?

 

[Milner]

OOhh.... thanks for the side by side Jer! It looks like an 8.25!!

Here's the axle-

Yep, 8.25

 

[Cody]

I was pretty sure it was an 8.25, but then I saw brett's 35 and for some reason I started second guessing myself. Congrats on the new purchase--I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Do I have to tow it to grand junction now

Cody

 

[James K]

you like lowriders?

yes I do. and I don't like xj's :sick:

 

[JoeT]

Cool, but a Toyota axle in a Jeep. not right. You could pick up a Dana 44A for cheap, plus they have rear discs on them. Now wait a sec. How many people do you hear of snapping Dana 35's/44's/8.25's? Lots. Now how many people do you hear of snapping a Dana44A? ....crickets chirping....How much is that Toy axle gonna cost?$200-$300? Dana 44a $50-$100. hmmm Good luck with it and let me know if you need any RE lovin for it.

 

[Herzog]

I'll be looking for a 2WD Taco axle! Are they 1" shorter or 2"?

Long arms might be a bit much for a grocery getter, but you never know.

Long arms on a grocery getter is even better... it will ride like a caddy.