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thomas2379 · 11-18-2009, 07:38 PM

I managed to score a running '98 xj limited for $500 and I figured I couldn't really go wrong since it runs and drives great. I've never done much with the rocks, but mainly stuck with the mud. Plans will be to drive on trails, some rock, mud, and at the same time asphalt. Upon doing a little eyeballing and a bit 'o research I have concluded that the teeny looking axles (dana 30?) will grenade with the planned 35" ish tires. I have a chevy Dana 44 front axle lurking behind the garage and a corporate 14 bolt rear as well. Both are bone stock axles with 4:11 (I think) gears. I happened to notice that the diff is on opposite sides for the front axle. What to do here? Reverse rotation for the one I have or find another Dana 44 front out of a ford/dodge? Please keep in mind I'm new to the jeep thing, so forgive me if I sound like a 'tard. Second, the transfer case. I'm thinking its a NV-242 selec-trac. Any good or a weak boat anchor? I also have an extra NP205 from a chevy donor that also has the wrong side drop. What amount of lift will I need to run 35's and actually be able to flex the suspension? One more thing... Has anyone run the teraflex revolver shackles? Whats the opinion here? Do they really screw up pavement driving? I'm aware that one can't really have the best of both worlds, but just wondering about safety things here. Thank everyone for any help offered. I think I'm gonna like this thing. Cool

RamAford · 11-18-2009, 09:59 PM

Welcome man. where bouts are you from?? if you scrap the 242, put me in line. i need some pieces off it to fix mine that is currently broke!

As for running 35's if you stick to mud only, the stock axles should be fine. But cant really help ya on the shackles, as im only running 2" of lift and 33's with cut fenders!

jeepflexitude · 11-18-2009, 10:54 PM

The stock axles will hold 35's, expecially in mostly mud. I know everyone rags on them pretty hardcore, but me having experience with running 35's on a stock set of D30/D35's and wheeling the hell out of it on rocks, i never once broke an axle. I upgraded, and broke a D44 shaft first trip out lol...go figure.

The 242 should be fine, like matt said about, they are just really hard to find in a junkyard somewhere to get parts from if you break it. I did that once, couldnt find a 242 anywhere...so i put a 231 in. It has alittle lower gear ratio.

Since you want to drive it on the road some, id buy some cut-out flares, and lift it 6-8".s Should give you room to flex. But then to run 35's you will have to regear down to atleast 4.10's...maybe even lower to retain good power for on the road.

I have no personal experience with revolver shackles. Ive just heard of people saying they arent good on the road. Id just build some 2" extended shackles and be good to go.

Just my $.02.

thomas2379 · 11-19-2009, 05:41 AM

I live in Fayetteville, GA which is just south of Atlanta. We have a ton of junkyards around here and I'm gonna on the prowl this weekend. I'm hoping to score a d60 outta an old beater ford or something like that. The chevy 60's are impossible to find these days, but for some reason the fords and mopars are more common here. Most of the salvage yards don't know what they have, and you can get complete axles for about $120. If I find anything else that's good here I'll be sure to post it for you guys. I was thinking of building a 3 or 4 link setup for this thing as my neighbor has proclaimed himself the "airbag king". He has done many air ride setups on custom trucks and says that it would be easy to do for this rig... just a thought though. As far as gears I'm thinking somewhere between 4:88 to maybe a 5:12/13. Highway travel would suck though, even with overdrive. If I do win the lottery and can afford an Atlas II t-case, I'll put this 242 up for sale here... By the way, is anyone here anywhere close to Atlanta?

RamAford · 11-19-2009, 07:36 PM

Im about 5 hrs north of atl. I know Copesetic isnt to far from ya. Maybe about an hour or so north.

JeepnTXJ · (This post was last modified: 11-21-2009 09:14 PM by JeepnTXJ.)

(11-18-2009 07:38 PM)thomas2379 Wrote: I managed to score a running '98 xj limited for $500 and I figured I couldn't really go wrong since it runs and drives great. I've never done much with the rocks, but mainly stuck with the mud. Plans will be to drive on trails, some rock, mud, and at the same time asphalt. Upon doing a little eyeballing and a bit 'o research I have concluded that the teeny looking axles (dana 30?) will grenade with the planned 35" ish tires. I have a chevy Dana 44 front axle lurking behind the garage and a corporate 14 bolt rear as well. Both are bone stock axles with 4:11 (I think) gears. I happened to notice that the diff is on opposite sides for the front axle. What to do here? Reverse rotation for the one I have or find another Dana 44 front out of a ford/dodge? Please keep in mind I'm new to the jeep thing, so forgive me if I sound like a 'tard. Second, the transfer case. I'm thinking its a NV-242 selec-trac. Any good or a weak boat anchor? I also have an extra NP205 from a chevy donor that also has the wrong side drop. What amount of lift will I need to run 35's and actually be able to flex the suspension? One more thing... Has anyone run the teraflex revolver shackles? Whats the opinion here? Do they really screw up pavement driving? I'm aware that one can't really have the best of both worlds, but just wondering about safety things here. Thank everyone for any help offered. I think I'm gonna like this thing.

Like said above, the stock axles would probably work fine for the mild wheeling it sounds like you're planning on doing. If the rear end fails, you can swap in an 8.8 and you'll be fine. Plus it's an easy swap.

The D44 can be used, but be prepared to do some fab work. You'll have to run a pass. drop t-case, and the cheapest route to go would be the Dana 300. A $100 adapter and it'll bolt up.

I'm running 6-6.5" and I can flex 35's great. My fenders are hacked, though. I can run 37's and not go any higher and still have flex. Uptravel is overrated anyways. Just bumpstop it and go for downtravel.

Revolver shackles suck and are not safe. I've ridden in a few that run them, and they are scary on downhills. They constantly want to unload, and with an XJ, the rear is already light.

EDIT: If you're handy with a welder or know someone who is, a 3-link is pretty easy to set up in the front

thomas2379 · 11-22-2009, 05:20 AM

ok...so the revolver shackle idea is scrapped.... Bad Idea

I can imagine how they would unload in a sudden brake check on asphalt or downhill in the dirt. I'm gonna run these stock axles until something grenades and gives me a reason to put in something with 8 lugs on there. I did check out a late model F-350 4x4 and I must say that is one beefy looking axle, but I have no idea what it is.. I thought about the doubled NP203/NP205 but I admit, the adapter kit to make this work is rather pricey if you ask me.