One ton axle swap on a Jeep Cherokee XJ PT1

We have begun the one ton axle swap on a Jeep Cherokee XJ. I am only a few days into this swap and there are surprises around every corner. Stuff not lining up, suspension being maxed out for adjustment, dropping the axle out of the rig and more. This is part one of this series.
This is not being shot as a how-to , but more of a build vlog on some of the issues and successes I come across. This will also go to show how much this build has changed from its inception.
00:00 Intro
01:50 Front axle dissassembly
03:35 Dana 30 vs Dana 60
04:34 Dana 60 starts to go into the Jeep
06:55 Fix a issue on lower control arm(broken Zerk fitting)
13:39 Johnny Joint mock up
15:02 Rear axle is put under the Jeep

[@SWBCrawler]

Nice work man. Makes me want to get started on my 60's!

[@FMJeeping]

Start with getting parts. I started pulling parts together this past May. Build as you go or buy when there are sales. I waited for holiday sales a few times to save money

[@ShockWaveOffroad]

First, I can't BELIEVE you called your boy Scott out like that on You Tube, LMAO!!!!!!! Second, stop what you're doing on the rear, and just do a 4 link and be done with it. No more leafs!! Great job, Mark. Really enjoying watching this transformation..... (even if it is JUST an XJ) ; )

[@FMJeeping]

Hahah thanks Clint. I'm still up in the air about the rear suspension . I'm looking at a couple of options. (Ahem) unless you want to give clayton a call for me. Lol. As for Scott. He is a big boy. He is knows he had my tools for too long .

[@ShockWaveOffroad]

@@FMJeeping LMAO! Yeah, our friends tend to keep borrowed tools too long. That's why I don't have any.😏😉🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chopperchuck]

nice work, Im hoping one day to do a 609 swap on my XJ

[@FMJeeping]

That would be a stout axle. Definitely put something up on Social Media when you start it.

[@NickG]

Looks like a lot of work. You should get yourself a magic chicken foot. Makes life a lot easier.

[@FMJeeping]

I where would someone get one? They don't sell them on Amazon.

[@NickG]

@@FMJeeping I beg to differ. www.amazon.com/Griffin-Trader-Chicken-Necklace-Louisiana/dp/B086Q82HJG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=chicken+foot&qid=1610390458&sr=8-7

[@FMJeeping]

@@NickG wth Nicky!! Lol. Only you

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

You are so far ahead of me in my build. Once you are done you gotta help me lol

[@FMJeeping]

I'll help ya man. I do work slow though. Lol. We got to get your garage sealed up so you can run some heat. Then you would be in business.

[@SWBCrawler]

"Not a how-to" You sound like angel. :P

[@FMJeeping]

Wait till later videos where it's "this is what not to do"

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Mark.I was cussing with you when that axle fell off the stands..Just glad you didn't get hurt my friend...P.S.let the wife do the dishes next time😂😂😂😂

[@FMJeeping]

Hahah. Thanks man . The axle falling is only the start. Wait till later installments. This swap is trying my patience. Lol. As for the glass. It was her wineglass that got me. Lol

[@FlawedOffroad]

The axle looks good, I am doing a 78 f250 hp44/60 combo in my yj as we speak.

[@FMJeeping]

Thank you! That's a good combo! I've heard good things about the older D44. Hope the install goes smooth.

[@matthewmurray5168]

Any reason you chose a hp 44 over a dana 60?

[@FlawedOffroad]

@@matthewmurray5168 availability. basically I came across the set already had fresh 5.13 gears and chromoly axles and the whole 9 for a stupid good price. I did some videos on it

[@brianhernandez4686]

Hi where did you purchase that beautiful looking 1 ton axle

[@FMJeeping]

Facebook marketplace is where I got my axles

[@SWBCrawler]

I also like those flex joints, with the bolts through them instead of being pressed in, or being held in with snap rings. What brand are they?

[@FMJeeping]

Those are from Iron Rock Offroad. They are pretty good joints. I'm on season 2 or 3 ?? But the only damage I sustained was caused by me trying to torque the joint retainer too high when assembling when I first got it. I was reading the torque for the lower and not the upper which is smaller.

[@kartracer3449]

Dam that guy scott keeping a mans jack stands

[@FMJeeping]

Hahahahaha. Yeah. I don't know if I told him I was going to call him out.

[@kartracer3449]

Thats great 😂😂😂😂

[@xavierrodriguez8313]

What control arms are you using? I have radius long arms, will they work?

[@FMJeeping]

In this video I was iron rock offroad rock link arms. The fronts would not work for me because of the ride height put the lowers into my unibody and my upper arm was contacting my drive shaft. Straight radius arms might work. I ended up going with a kit from Alpine Peak Precision. They ended up being just what I needed

[@solomonstorment5532]

How did you attach your drive lines

[@FMJeeping]

I'm not sure if you mean driveshafts. The front I used a 1310 to 1350 conversion u-joint. I was able to reuse the factory front shaft. In the rear I had a custom Adam's drive shaft made

[@solomonstorment5532]

@@FMJeeping could you use that conversion with both shafts and can you send me any info on where you got that

[@solomonstorment5532]

I have a dana 50 for the front and 10.5 for the rear

[@FMJeeping]

@@solomonstorment5532 Here is the u joint I used. I typically stick with Spicer. They hold up better for me. amzn.to/3kYS96Z

[@FMJeeping]

@@solomonstorment5532 you could probably use the conversion on both. In the rear for mine the driveshaft has a 1310 transfer case double cardon, and the axle side 1350. Seems like it works well.