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Driveshaft length difference???

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20K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  RAVC1  
#1 ·
Does anybody know if an XJ with an original 4.0 AW4 231 D35 drivetrain setup would have a longer rear driveshaft than a 4.0 AW4 231 8.25?

If so, would it be possible to get a length on what I might need?

I'm doing a swap soon and I'm trying to determine if I need to run to the junkyard for a shorter driveshaft.

Also, this particular XJ is lifted 4.5 inches with no SYE or vibes, so I was also thinking if its only a small difference in length (~.5" - 1"), could I just take advantage of the slip yoke being just a small bit further up the splines?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Should be the same.

Can get a 2wd XJ yoke as it is 5/8" longer then a 4wd yoke, or get a stock yj yoke to gain that little bit of loss due to lift.

2wd drive shaft vs 4wd driveshaft
Image


L To R Stock yokes; 94 XJ 4wd, 93 XJ 2wd, 94 YJ 4wd. All fit 23 spline AX-15 trans.
Image
 
M
#3 ·
There's a couple inches difference. Although the 8 1/4 driveshaft will work with my 5 inch or so lift and the 8 1/4, I'm not comfortable with spline engagement. The 35 shaft is perfect for me though, so it should be pretty good for you too.
 
#4 ·
I appreciate everybody's help, however it turns out my drive shaft is ~1" too long, at ~31.75" end to end.
And for what ever reason my slip yoke is only out far enough to provide about 1" of inward slip before it bottoms out in the t-case with the current setup.

Whats truly unsettling about that fact is thats taking into consideration the 4.5" lift + about a .75" trans drop.

Why its already in so far?
Could it be sagged motor/trans mounts? What gives??
I haven't the slightest idea...

So now I'm looking for a DS that measures about 30-31" long.
What drivetrain config should I look for?
Could I possibly find a ZJ with the right length shaft? (I know they're longer WB but still)
I saw a rolled Liberty with a complete drivetrain at the junkyard earlier, I suppose maybe that could qualify?

Also, I'm swapping in an 8.25 from a '98 with the 3" yoke instead of the older 2.75" if that happens to make something more than a quarter inch difference.

Friggin' complicated :mad:
 
#6 · (Edited)
The problem at hand is I'm a good percent certain I won't be able to even shoe-horn the shaft I have now in there after the swap, its almost an inch too long fully compressed into the slip joint.

And unfortunately being this XJ is my DD I need to sort this out before I even take out the D35.

My g/fs '98 XJ classic has a 29" DS with the proper drivetrain setup, just a sealed output 231 that I could swap my slip yoke onto.

So that's what I'm aiming for whether it be from a XJ, ZJ, or KJ with 1310 U-joints.

I'll keep everybody posted on what I discover.
 
#7 ·
I have a 92 XJ it had a D35 in it. Took out the D35 put in a 99 8 1/4 use the same drive shaft. I have 5 inches of lift also. No problems. I would think you would be fine. My in a 4 door if that makes a difference I do not know.
 
#8 ·
Well... I did the swap today, and as it turns out my original driveshaft was too long.

A 29" from a '00 with my yoke did the trick, and I have about 2" of spline engagement at the t-case, which isn't spectacular, but I am free from vibes/play.

I suspect the reason the original shaft was too long was the PO changed it with one from a 5 speed or something, who knows.

Seems a YJ slip yoke Mini Beast mentioned would be the perfect addition to the setup I have now, or at least until I can afford an SYE and CV shaft.

This doesn't appear to be a common issue with this swap, but it all worked out.

Thanks for your input everybody.
 
R
#9 ·
XJ Drive Shaft Length & Transfer Case Spline Engagement

I just converted my 88 Xj AW4 NP242 D35 to an 89 AX-15 and retained the NP 242. Currently no lift.

I suspect a problem with the rear yoke on the AX-15 drive shaft and wanted to know if the AW4 shaft will work on a temporary basis until I get the AX-15 drive shaft evaluated.

My 1989 AX-15 drive shaft measured ~ 31 5/8" between u-joint centers and my 1988 AW4 drive shaft measured ~30 1/4". I installed the AW4 drive shaft to check length and it looked okay (from an external perspective). I do not know if I have sufficient spline engagement on the NP242 output shaft or if their is some interaction the drive shaft has with a load bearing surface within the tail cone of the NP242.

Please advise. If the AW4 will work without issue temporarily I need to go this route because I have had a rental car for six weeks! This 88 Xj project has hurt me (heater core, evaporator core, carpet/jute, etc...)!

Thanks,

Rick
 
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