Rear-end welding in So-Cal

[1952B3b23]

If Chris' 52 is the same as mine...... the stock Pilothouse rear U-joint is a perfect fit to the Jeep yoke....just have to use the Jeep mounting hardware. No muss...no fuss

Jeff

Im hoping that mine is the same as yours, as far as i can tell the rear axle and drive shaft are still all original.So this sounds like some good news for me. Im going to have to start doing some research on local salvage yards that may have Jeep rear ends i can go look at. Any idea on the going price on a decent used one?

-Chris

[1952B3b23]

Dennis_MN i just read through your thread on the axle update you did, Hank had posted the link to it earlier in this thread (#18). What kind of axle and year jeep did you get it out of?

-Chris

[Dennis_MN]

Dennis_MN i just read through your thread on the axle update you did, Hank had posted the link to it earlier in this thread (#18). What kind of axle and year jeep did you get it out of?

-Chris

My rear end came from a 1997 Jeep Grand Cheorkee with disk brakes

And a 3.73 ratio. This is a Dana 35c axle and it is 2 3/4 dia. The Dodge is

3 inch dia and the spring perches are for a 3 inch dia. I just told my welder to fill in the spaces.

Dennis

[1952B3b23]

Thanks for the info Dennis!

-Chris

[optimusprime8]

I got a 2000 jeep grand cherokee rear end on Craigslist for $275. Unfortunately it is the 5 x5 bolt pattern, so I will have to figure something out with the front 5 x 4.5. I'm thinking when I do the disc conversion on the front I can easily swap it to 5 x 5.

I found a set of 4 steel wheels 5 x5 at the swap meet for $100. Hopefully they will work for fitment purposes.

The yoke mounting on the jeep rear says spicer on it, it looks the same as my stock one, but I haven't tried to fit it yet. I am currently in the process of grinding off all the old jeep mounts. Next weekend I will test fitment, time permitting.

[Jeff Balazs]

Sounds like your swap is similar to mine.

Good news is that the yoke will be a dead on match. Just need the Jeep mounting clips and bolts.

You will have to do some "extra" work to switch over to stock type 15" 5x5 wheels. If the wheels you have are like mine they are meant for a 9/16" dia. lug stud. If they are newer wheels this may not be necessary.

On the rear you will probably have to add spacers and do a bit of light grinding on the calipers to get them to fit. I had some 3/8" spacers made up and pressed in larger studs.

Most of the front disc kits are 4.5 x 5 wheel pattern so you will need to get some adapters. I found some 1" thick ones and had them bored out for larger press in studs.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

[1952B3b23]

I would really like to keep the 5 x 4.5 wheel pattern because i already have smoothie wheels that i bought from Summit that i want to use. Does anyone know what year Jeep rear ends have this bolt pattern, if any? I'm also not against having drum brakes in the rear instead of disc if it will get me the 4.5" spacing.

Thanks,

-Chris

[Jeff Balazs]

Chris;

I believe you will have to look at pre-98 Cherokees for that pattern.

Jeff

[1952B3b23]

Thanks Jeff, i'll start my search and keep you guys posted.

-Chris