Did You Pack Out Jeep Axle?

[kitesurfjohn]

Just in the process of fitting a Cherokee axle which is the Lsd 3.55 and found that the tube dia is approx. 10mm smaller than the original Ph.  The spring plate is fine as I just ground it off and refitted at the correct spacing to match the Ph springs.  The only problem is that the lower clamp plate/shock mount is made to suit the larger dia original tube.   Did everyone else weld on a sleeve to the jeep axle to bring it up to the correct dia to suit the plate?

 

Probably should say the axle is from a mid 90's Cherokee with drum brakes, not a grand cherokee

Edited June 5, 2013 by kitesurfjohn

[pflaming]

I used a 97 Cherokee 2WD, 4cyl, brake drums, 3:73 axle. I did not notice if mine was smaller. I would not think the smaller diameter would matter. The perches hold from twisting and horizontal movement, and the shock absorber mounts add addtional grip, but I'm no engineer. A 3:55 is going to give you a very nice crusing speed which you will like.

 

My truck is a 52 B3B. 

 

EDIT: The axle came from a 6 cyl. Look up Cherokee in Search to find my thread on my switch. Lots of pictures and  comments as I progressed. 

Edited June 5, 2013 by pflaming

[kitesurfjohn]

That's interesting because I don't think we could get a 2wd here in Oz, I certainly haven't seen one.  Could you use the front axle in a Ph? I guess it has discs on the front.  I think the 3:55 should be fine as I am also hoping to do an engine swap possibly for a 265 Hemi if I can find one.   I am thinking I will tack weld half a tube onto the axle tube just to bring the O/d up to that of the original diff.  I am not too keen on the shock mount only having a very small contact area with the axle tube.

[1952B3b23]

I think if i was doing this i would weld a piece of tube to the outside of the axle to match the OD's, this shouldnt hurt anything.. I agree with you on not liking all the load being concentrated on a decreased surface area of the axle tube. Im installing an 8 3/4 Mopar rear in my '52 but im lucky cause they are both 3 inch diameter tubes, so the stock shock mounts will work fine. 

 

-Chris

[kitesurfjohn]

After thinking more about it I got the mig out again today and welded sections of tube on to bring up the Od to 3".   It didn't take much work and I won't be always thinking is that plate going to move/twist.

I guess if I had gone for a grand Cherokee axle it is probably 3" stock dia.

[gtech636p]

Sounds like you found a dana 35. Got a picture of the diff cover?

[carl b51]

I found the same problem I also welded on some tubing and the Dana 44 with 3.55 gears work Great. Carl