Cherokee Dana 30HP in a TJ 05 Unlimited

[C130Hilgy]

I have a chance to replace my damaged front D30 with a D30 out of a 1996 Cherokee. It is the high pinion style. Anybody do this swap yet?

[ColoFreeJeeper]

I have a chance to replace my damaged front D30 with a D30 out of a 1996 Cherokee. It is the high pinion style. Anybody do this swap yet?

That's my plan if I don't find a D44. I'm looking for a bare housing to put all new innards into. Just make sure it doesn't have the vacuum disconnect on top of the passenger side axle tube. See #18 on this picture.

[Fred]

should be a HP check it out to be sure. Otherwise it is a direct Swap. Put your TJ shafts into it thought because the HP XJ Axle has 260 UJoints, the TJ's all have the larger 297's (760's)

[RescueJP]

Even if it has the vac disconnect. you can just block it off.

[Ricky Booby]

If it is from 96, it shouldn't have the vac disco, and will be a HP. Swap in your TJ shafts, as they do have larger u joints. The brakes should all be the same (they changed knuckles, calipers, and rotors between 90-91). I swapped in a 88 HP 30 (with blocked off disco), and had no issues. I kept the XJ shafts in it, and held onto my TJ shafts as spares.

Very simple, direct swap. If you run into issues, or other ??? just post them up.

Bobby

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Even if it has the vac disconnect. you can just block it off.

Yup, you could. When I do the swap I'd rather find one without cuz I'm picky.

If it is from 96, it shouldn't have the vac disco, and will be a HP. Swap in your TJ shafts, as they do have larger u joints. The brakes should all be the same (they changed knuckles, calipers, and rotors between 90-91). I swapped in a 88 HP 30 (with blocked off disco), and had no issues. I kept the XJ shafts in it, and held onto my TJ shafts as spares.

Very simple, direct swap. If you run into issues, or other ??? just post them up.

Bobby

That's assuming it's really a 96.

[Ricky Booby]

That's assuming it's really a 96.

True. But either way a D30 from TJs and XJs are direct replacements. U joints are different, brakes may be different (depending on the year). Other than that, you shouldn't have any issues.

[SGM O]

You may have thought of this, but I didn't see it posted, make sure the axle ratio's are the same from the donor Cherokee and your TJ. If not you will need to by a reverse cut ring and pinion to match your TJ's gearing to use in the HP front diff.

[Ricky Booby]

You may have thought of this, but I didn't see it posted, make sure the axle ratio's are the same from the donor Cherokee and your TJ.

Good call. I assumed they were the same.

[C130Hilgy]

Good call. I assumed they were the same.

I am going with 33" tires and flat tube front fenders and the least amount of lift, so the R/P ratios will be changing anyway. For now I am leaving the oem locker in the rear dana 44 and going with either an E locker or an ARB in the front..