Jeep Cherokee rear-end

[Dan Babb]

I read through the rear-end swap thread. I remember seeing that a 94 Jeep Cherokee rear is a good fit for our trucks (mine is a 52 1/2 ton).

Couple questions:

1) What model year range can I search for? Much easier to find one if I can open up the search to multiple model years.

2) When I look online, there are quite a few rears to choose from...which one do I want?

I'm using a GM TH350 Automatic. From the research I found online, the gear ratios for the TH350 is:

1st 2.52

2nd 1.52

3rd 1.00

Rear end options are:

Spicer (35), ABS, 3.07 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 10" brakes, 3.07 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 10" brakes, 3.55 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 10" brakes, 4.11 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 9" brakes, 3.07 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 9" brakes, 3.55 ratio

Spicer (35), w/o ABS; 9" brakes, 4.11 ratio

Chrysler (8-1/4), 4.10 ratio

Chrysler (8-1/4), 3.07 ratio

Chrysler (8-1/4), 3.55 ratio

Spicer (35), ABS, 3.55 ratio

Spicer (35), ABS, 3.73 ratio

I'll have plenty of power with the new motor, so I think I'm leaning toward a 3.55 ratio rear...but chich one?

Do I need to worry about brakes fitting the stock wheel?

Are rear ABS drum brakes the same an non-abs brakes?

[Dave72dt]

Seeing as you're going with disc up front, I'd lookat the 10" brake units in back. If you've enhanced the motor with upgrades that will move the torque curve up the RPM range, the 3.55's sound good. Bone stock motor will work with either the 3.07s or 3.55s. 3.07s will of course help with fuel economy seeing as you're not using an OD trans. ABS rears may have discs on them which would be ideal. ABS drum or discs will have the sensor and sensor ring on them. Shoes or pads work the same as non ABS units.

[41/53dodges]

i'm using a stock drivetrain except for a 94' cherokee rear end, came from a 4x4. the drums fit the original wheels perfectly. 3.55 is perfect for stock, but other than that i dont know. i may have been the one who posted the thread you speak of, as i did this myself. if you have any questions about the actual swap, give me a call at 262-496-8104 on weekends or after 2:30 weekdays.

[Jon1953B4]

Dan,

I'm have not yet looked into the overall length yet, but coming from offroad background, I believe jeep cherokee went to the 8.25 rear from 1996-2001 and this is the stronger(more desirable) rear of the cherokees. My 2000 has 3.55's and drums with a 6 cylinder.

I can't remember if they made a 4 cylinder in those years but if so they would be 4.10 gears. If you have no reservation about the earlier dana 35(pre-96) I know there's lots of 4 banger wranglers out there with the drums and 4.10's.

Also you may want to see if an ford explorer rear would work. They are the 8.8 ( which come highly recommended by guys) and are normally readily available at the junkyard. I know the eddie bauer version in the late 90's has disc brakes, 4.10's, and a limited slip diff(LSD). We put one in my brothers wrangler. That thing is the best 100 bucks he ever spent. They also may have versions with disc, LSD, and 3.55's if that is more desirable.

Jon

[Dennis_MN]

There is a ton of education about the rear ends, but basically one only needs to look at the Dana/Spicer choices offered for Jeeps.

The Grand Cherokee has Rear Disks starting in '94 and I think the rear disks offer an advantage for our trucks. The rotor has a emergency brake drum built in so you can solve the emergency brake problem since you don't have the original that was on the back of the transmission.

Right now, I have a rebuilt rear end from a '97 sitting in the back of my stored truck, but soon I will be gathering brake parts to finish that part, then one day in April or May the truck will be jacked up and a new rear end will sit under the springs.

[Dan Babb]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep your number handy so I can call once I get the parts.

Didn't think about looking for a disc rear. I've already bought parts for a disc front / drum rear setup and just need the rear-axle.

I'm trying to keep this easy and just get something I know will work...since I read about the 94 Cherokee, that's why I'm leaning toward that one.

My new engine is a 354 hemi, so I don't really need 4.10 gears. I'd love something that cruises on the highway at under 3000 rpms, so the 3.55 sounds like a good choice to me.

[Jon1953B4]

Dan,

There are lots of options for rears. A make and model is to each his own, it all depends on your priorities and what works for you.

The gear ratio will definitely be important with that beast of a hemi. You may want to consider a jeep rear with 3.07 ratio since you'll be running a turbo 350 trans.

From my experience a 3 speed, mild to wild v8's, and low rpm cruising don't mix. I have a chevelle with a mild built 383 stroker motor with a 700r4 speed behind it and even with 3.73 gears she'll cruise around 2,000 rpm @ 65. My buddy who has a similar setup in his chevelle but a TH350 cruises around 3,000 rpm @ 65.

Good luck on whatever way you go, I'm sure it'll be awesome no matter what. Keep taking pictures.

Jon

[wayfarer]

Hey Dan, good to hear you are progressing!!

Since your 354 is not exactly a 'wild' package you may want to limit the freeway rpm's to something in the 2200-2500 range. The 3.55 will provide plenty of acceleration but what will they be like at 60-70 mph ?

Here is one of my favorite calculators...

http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/s4/gears/gear_calc.html

just plug in your known info, or guesses, and juggle away.

My mostly stock 73 RoadRunner with 3.55 and the old F70-14 tire turns right at 3000 at 60, but it also has the ability to spin to 6500. For many years, MotherMopar used a 3.23 ratio in, what seemed, over half of the cars regardless of the engine/trans. In the mid-late 70's they used ratios as low as 2.45 in cars like the Cordoba.

Gary