YJ Axle swap coming up.....any hints/tricks/ideas???

[crownlvr]

In two weeks, I'll be swapping axles in my 89 YJ. A friend of mine is doing D44s in his 95 YJ and is practically giving me his locked axles. While not a perfect swap (4.10s/front and rear lock-rite), I'll be locked and geared lower which will give me more capabilities off road while allowing me to fix some other issues.

I'm assuming the swap will include the steering linkage, but I need to double check....

Nevertheless, I'd greatly appreciate any hints or watchouts y'all have discovered while doing axle swaps yourself. Aside from the obvious items (brake fluid, crush washers, etc....) are there any other tools that will make my life a lot easier?

Assuming the tie rod ends (ball joints) are in good shape, should I replace them or just go w/ those on the steering linkage (assuming it's included....)

Thanks in advance!

Matt

[Frank TJ]

You getting Lloyd's axles? I would go ahead and change the tie rods while you got it all apart, they are pretty cheap. I see you have an 89 I would spray all the bolts with some liquid wrench a couple of days before the swap, help with getting those bolts off.

[Mikes Madness]

Blue Tipped Wrench may come in real handy. I would change the tie-rods and ball joints while you got it out. Redo all the brakes also...

[Dev Dev 23]

-=- originally posted by Frank TJ -=-
...I would spray all the bolts with some liquid wrench a couple of days before the swap, help with getting those bolts off.

A couple times each day, a couple days in advance. It helped me tons when I put the lift on. :yup:
Devin

[Scubajeep]

Check the u-bolt and yoke sizes!!!!!!!!

My rear u-bolt on the rear drive shaft was a different size from the yoke on the "new" rear end.

The Front end had the same size u-bolts.

Good luck.

Air Tools would also help.

Scubajeep

[TJ Lee]

:flamejump :hypno: :flamejump

[Scubajeep]

UUUUUUUUgh.....

Leve the tires on the axles. It is a LOT eaiser to move the front and rear ends around if you leave the tires on.

If you need some help call me (or Lee:laugh: ). We just did the same thing on my 92 YJ.


:pbj: GET a breakline wrench!!!!!:attn: :attn: Its a small wrench you will need to connect and disconnect the rear breakline from the hardline. Lee and I rounded off the edges of the nut on mine. BIG PITA :hammers: :hammers: :hammers: Also a "picklefork"? the thing used to pull tierod ends off or a BFH! Check the drive shaft lenghts of the other jeep if you can.

If you have time you might want to clean and paint you new front and rear ends.

If I think of soemthing else I'll post again

Todd "Scubajeep"

[crownlvr]

btt cuz I need all of the help I can get!

[Square Peg]

The u-joint on the rear of the "89 is a 1310 and the u-joint on the "95 is a 1330 so you will want to swap pinion yokes.

Also note that the 95 has a 3 pin vacuum pulg on the front and the '89 is a 2 pin plug. If you switch to a posi-lock cable it's not an issue. Otherwise you'll have to play with the vacuum lines to figure out which is which.

[crownlvr]

-=- originally posted by Square Peg -=-
The u-joint on the rear of the "89 is a 1310 and the u-joint on the "95 is a 1330 so you will want to swap pinion yokes.

Also note that the 95 has a 3 pin vacuum pulg on the front and the '89 is a 2 pin plug. If you switch to a posi-lock cable it's not an issue. Otherwise you'll have to play with the vacuum lines to figure out which is which.

Re: Vacuum lines--so, two of the three cables hooked up in the right order will make it work? (at least temporarily?). I've got a trip to Gilmer one week after the swap and don't want to get there w/o 4WD!

[Square Peg]

I sold mine to a guy with an 89 and I'm not 100% sure how he solved the problem.

If I recall there was 4 pins on the t-case, one line went to vacuum point near the brake resevoir and the other three were part of the plug that went to the axle. One was on, one was off and the other was the vent. I think on the 89 it was only on and off.

JJ are you out there?

[crownlvr]

-=- originally posted by Square Peg -=-
I sold mine to a guy with an 89 and I'm not 100% sure how he solved the problem.

If I recall there was 4 pins on the t-case, one line went to vacuum point near the brake resevoir and the other three were part of the plug that went to the axle. One was on, one was off and the other was the vent. I think on the 89 it was only on and off.

JJ are you out there?

no biggie....going to posi-lock cuz it just makes sense....

[crownlvr]

4 days and counting so BTT just in case others have more input.....:rocks: