I'm a TJ guy, but i have a buddy with a XJ, 4.0 Auto.
we installed a 3" lift this week, and i know on the TJ all you do to regain correct driveline angles is drop the T/C, but can this be done on a XJ?
if so how?
if not what other solution is there?
i took a look at it and there are a few studs holding the crossmember up, making a T/C drop difficult.
:rolleyes:
thanks for any help:)

Originally posted by Sharp
I'm a TJ guy, but i have a buddy with a XJ, 4.0 Auto.
we installed a 3" lift this week, and i know on the TJ all you do to regain correct driveline angles is drop the T/C, but can this be done on a XJ?
if so how?
if not what other solution is there?
i took a look at it and there are a few studs holding the crossmember up, making a T/C drop difficult.
:rolleyes:
thanks for any help:)

Yes you can drop the TC on an XJ. On my wifes, I simply took out the studs, found some 1 inch stock, cut it, drilled the holes and used new bolts to re-attach the skid plate. Worked great, and no vibes.

k
thanks, once you pull the studs out do you have any way to access the inside of the frame to put the nut in?
sorry if the answer is obvious...i just don't have access to his jeep to have a look.

The nuts are welded in. Just pull the stud out and use a bolt in it's place. But before you do this, replace the XJ slip yoke with one out of a YJ. The YJ yoke allows more driveline angle than an XJ. I did this with a 4-1/2" RE lift on my wife's XJ and never had a problem.

I'm running at 6.5 inches(8" net) with only 1" of TC drop. No vibes at all. I tried without the drop, but it wouldn't even leave the driveway. BTW mine is a 92. 96+ have problems(vibes) more so then earlier models.

Phyte

The best way to drop a T case on an XJ is to fab a new thinner tranny mount. This will drop the T case without dropping the cross member and you won't lose any ground clearance that you paid so much money to get. Keep in mind that the T case shifter linkage mounts are on the body as well the drive train. When you lower the T case this will put a sideways angle on the shifter linkage. Also, you could negatively affect the front drive shaft angles. The better way to improve driveline angles is to install a slip yoke eliminator, but good ones cost some money

You don't need to drop the T-case with a 3" suspension lift. Just swap the slip yoke with one from a YJ and all will be well.

Originally posted by Phyte
I'm running at 6.5 inches(8" net) with only 1" of TC drop. No vibes at all. I tried without the drop, but it wouldn't even leave the driveway. BTW mine is a 92. 96+ have problems(vibes) more so then earlier models.

Phyte

YUP, our '99 vibes with only 2" of lift.

Late model Cherokees came with the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle which seems to have a longer snout than the D 35. The 8.25 seems to be much more sensitive to vibration from driveline angles. I had no problems with the D35 in my 88 with 3 inches of lift. But every Jeep is different

Gimme a break! The XJ even with the 8.25 has a gigantic super long driveshaft! My TJ doesn't vibe as bad as my XJ, and my TJ has a 15.5" driveshaft and 5.5" of suspension lift!

Originally posted by MistWolf
Late model Cherokees came with the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle which seems to have a longer snout than the D 35. The 8.25 seems to be much more sensitive to vibration from driveline angles. I had no problems with the D35 in my 88 with 3 inches of lift. But every Jeep is different

Hey MistWolf! Glad to see you made it over to the dark side. Welcome :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

shim the rear diff, with 3" of lift this should be all you need for the rear, the front on the other hand may be a problem, so get a hub kit and unlock the thing, if you still have vibes, get a sye, but why the hell did he lift the thing to get the junk up in the air to lower the vitals back down to get smacked on rocks? poser?:flipoff2:

i'm asking if a drop is even needed, cause there are NO vibes, just worrid if the yoke gets maxed out, The T/C drop is a last resort has he has no coin to do a SYE, :flipoff2: far from a poser:flipoff2:

Needed or not for vibes, a Tcase drop is a bandaid solution guaranteed to cause more problems in the future. You tweak things such as tcase linkages, motor mounts, exhaust bracketry and stuff. All of which is sure to break under stress at a later date because they are no longer in their intended positions. Then you'll be paying for all those repairs when they break. If you have vibes, do it right... install a SYE and quit being cheap, because it will ultimately cost you more in the long run.

I agree don't lift the damn thing if you're going to drop down the stuff you are trying to protect. I have 5" on a 98 ZJ and have some vibe but it's not causing any damage. If you are having serious vibes do an SYE and custom shafts. At 3" you shouldn't have to adjust anything. Depending on your rig you might need to adjust pinion with some new LCA's. Depending on what size tires you go with you might want some UCA's to push the axle's back out.

Originally posted by Josh 89XJ


Hey MistWolf! Glad to see you made it over to the dark side. Welcome :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Thanks for the warm welcome, Josh. The best Syskle and Ebert ever gave was Two Thumbs Up. I got SIX!:D

Originally posted by Sharp
i'm asking if a drop is even needed, cause there are NO vibes, just worrid if the yoke gets maxed out, The T/C drop is a last resort has he has no coin to do a SYE, :flipoff2: far from a poser:flipoff2:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. No vibes, No T case drop. It's that simple If you're worried about the yoke pulling out, get the longer Wrangler slip yoke and call a reputable driveline shop to see about getting the rear drive shaft lengthened properly

There is no way the yoke will pull out w/ 3in of lift. No way! Well maybe if you disconnect the shackles and jump it???

My brother is running 7+in w/o a SYE or drop...

...oh yea, no vibes.