The Alloy USA Grande 30 front...
The Alloy USA Grande 30 front and 8.25 rear replacement axle kits included everything we'd need to create a more reliable axle package for our Project Cherokee. Also shown are the Master Installation kits from Precision Gear.
With just a few months behind the wheel of our stock '97 Jeep Cherokee XJ, we're ready to begin the transformation from daily-driver wagon to multiterrain race/trail recovery vehicle. Since we'll be tackling increasingly difficult terrain in the rig, the axles were in need of some bulletproofing to ward off damage, and positive locking engagement to further its crawling capability. Desiring the best, we looked to two well-established companies, Alloy USA and ARB, for the upgrade parts we required to take our Cherokee to the next level.
The grande behind Alloy USA's Grande 30 axle kit is in the axleshafts, which are constructed from high-tensile-strength, 4340 chrome-moly alloy steel and then double heat-treated for increased strength. Also, the Alloy USA 30-spline Dana 30 axleshafts are much beefier than the stock 27-spline shafts, measuring 1.34 inches in diameter compared to 1.16 stock. The Grande 30 kit includes two 27-spline outer shafts, two 30-spline inner shafts, and two inner shaft seals. The inner and outer axleshafts are pre-assembled using 760X U-joints and are custom machined to accept full-circle C-clips. The Grande 30 kit also fits '97-'04 Jeep Wrangler TJs with the Dana 30 front axle, and Grande 44 kits are available for models with the Dana 44 rear axle. The axleshafts also include Alloy USA's exclusive No Questions Asked 10-year manufacturer's warranty.
Being that we'd increased the axle spline count of the inner shafts, we required a new 30-spline differential. Selecting ARBs for the front, as well as the rear Chrysler 8.25 axle, was a no-brainer. Considering the company's long-standing reputation for quality products and based on our own experiences with ARB Air Lockers,we knew that we'd have positive axle-locking engagement at our fingertips for many years to come. A final upgrade we'll install to the front axle is a set of Alloy USA axletube seals. The axletube seals are great aids in keeping contaminants such as water and mud out of the axletubes and away from the axleshafts.
The ARB Air Lockers are works...
The ARB Air Lockers are works of art. The Dana 30 30-spline and Chrysler 8.25 29-spline units offer a fully machined, nodular-iron carrier case and flange-cap assembly filled with internal components manufactured from aerospace grades of high-alloy steels. Each Air Locker includes 6 meters of nylon air hose, brass bulkhead fittings, an anodized-billet solenoid valve that is sealed for dust and moisture resistance, and an activation switch. The Dana 30 ARB also included new carrier bearings, and the Chrysler 8.25 unit included new C-clips.
The ARB CKSA12 mini-compressor...
The ARB CKSA12 mini-compressor draws just 6.5 amps when under load and weighs only 5.3 pounds. Its compact size is a great aid when underhood space is limited. The compressor kit includes the necessary power and switch wiring harnesses, an on/off switch, a mounting plate and hardware, an air filter, and a pressure switch.
Though thoroughly rusted,...
Though thoroughly rusted, the stock 8.25 axleshafts were still operational. The rear brakes were in need of some fresh pads and the drums needed turning, but rather we'll be installing a TeraFlex rear disc-brake conversion. Check an upcoming issue for the complete installation.