New Rear End Project

[Dennis_MN]

After reading all about rear end ratio improvements I went hunting for a Cherokee rear end and found one locally on Craigs list. Its from a 97 and it has disk brakes but oh boy is it rusty. I was told that it is a Dana 35C with a 3.73 ratio and that it has a pinion seal leak. My only criteria was that the wheel fit so I gave the guy $100 for it. Looks like I'll spend a lot of time rebuilding it starting with getting the rotors off and then cutting off all of the spring perches used by Jeep. I can't believe how close this looks to the original Dodge. Hopefully it will fit without changing the drive shaft but I have a lot of work to do before I get to that point.

Dennis

[Dan Babb]

Please post updates as you make progress. I'll be doing the same thing soon and any tips & pictures would be really helpful.

[Merle Coggins]

Dennis,

I thought you already had a 3.73 diff in your truck. What are you hoping to gain with this axle?

Merle

[41/53dodges]

alright, cool. the disks are a good choice, and the driveshaft should bolt right up, as cherokees use the EXACT SAME universal joint, and the length should be about the same. your only concern will be the ledges where the springs mount, which are available through northern tool for $5 if i remember right. you wont be dissappointed with this swap, i got a 3.5 cherokee in my truck, and it still has some get up and go. mine was a 1-2 night project to replace the gaskets, oil, and perches and bolt it all up. good luck!

josh

[Dennis_MN]

Dennis,

I thought you already had a 3.73 diff in your truck. What are you hoping to gain with this axle?

Merle

Nope, I have the standard 4.41 or it may even have the optional 4.78 because of the 4 speed trannie. 55 mph was really pushing it, normal road speed for me is around 51 to 53 so I'm hoping that it will be an improvement.

After I install this I will update the thread on the rear ends to add this one.

Dennis