Swapping 2.35 gears out of the front... questions

[dansvan]

Hello all. I've swapped in a Chrysler 8.25 out of a Jeep Cherokee. Swap went smooth. It is geared 3.54. I ordered a set of 3.54 low pinion d30 gears for the front from Randys. I went to install them and the ring gear doesn't touch the pinion. Then I swapped the ring gear on to a 3.54 carrier from Jeep. Same thing, identical carrier it seems. They seem to think I need a 3.73 and up d30 carrier. Anyone done this? Actually change out their 2.35's?  Also a theory is the 2.35 geared Eagles had different complete front housings?

[IowaEagle]

Hmmmmmmmmm, I remember we just found out the 2.35 carrier was specific only to that set up and the parts manual confirms that.  And the manual says the 2.72, 3.07 and 3.54 shared the same one. 

http://www.amceaglesden.com/~iowaeagl/guide/index.php?title=Section_26%2C_Front_Drive_Shafts_and_Axle

[dansvan]

I agree. However, did they use the normal 3.54 and up carrier for the 2.35 set and the normal 3.73 and up carrier for the 2.75, 3.07, and 3.54 sets? That would also mean that 3.54 would be the deepest gears we could put in the Eagle. Anyone gear the front deeper at 3.73 or 4.10 etc?

[eagleone]

I wanted to change my 2.35 to a 3.08 as well. Does that mean I need more stuff besides the ring and pinion gears?

[TLC87Eagle]

Yes, the 2.35 gear carriers are different than the higher 2.73, 3.08, and 3.54 carriers. I have 2.35s in mine and when my rear carrier broke from a previous repair, I wasn't able to find a 2.35 carrier anywhere. If it weren't for the Eagles Nest and Pack Rat's help in donating a 2.35 carrier, I would have had to get two new carriers and two ring and pinion sets. It should be a lot easier to find the 2.73, 3.08, and 3.54 carriers around, I found several places on the web where they are sold new. But it looks like your going to need a carrier and spider gears and probably bearings as well, which is probably a little more cash than you want to spend. But at least you'll have a beefier rear end and plenty of torque. 

[dansvan]

Just to keep this on track, we are talking about the front. I have a 3.73 and up d30 carrier on the way, soon as it gets here I'll update this with some pics.

[eaglefreek]

Definitely want to here how this goes. I'm currently putting a 8.25 rear with 3.07's and will be having gears installed up front.

[eaglefreek]

Dan, Did you figure this out yet?

[dansvan]

Well after trying a 3.73 carrier from a Jeep it wont work either. So far I've tried the stock 2.35 carrier, a 3.54 and down carrier from a jeep even though it was identical to the 2.35 eagle one, and a 3.73 carrier from a Jeep. It moved it closer but not enough. I'm picking up a 3.07 carrier from another Eagle and will try that.

[eaglefreek]

Interesting. I'm sure you know what you are doing and this may seem like a stupid question but they did give you the proper gears? It isn't a short pinion for a TJ of ZJ?

[dansvan]

 Well here goes. There are indeed 3 carriers for a D30. The AMC Eagle uses the normal Jeep 3.54 and down carrier for the Eagle 2.35 gears. The Jeep 3.73 and up carrier fits nothing for an Eagle. The Eagle uses it's own carrier for 2.72, 3.07, and 3.54 gears. So if you allready have 2.72, 3.07 gears and want to go to 3.54 you are fine. If you have 2.35 and want to go to the higher sets you need a carrier from an Eagle with those sets. This also means 3.54 is as deep as you can go on the front of an IFS Eagle without a custom ring gear spacer. Pics tonight. Swapped in a carrier from a 2.72 and the aftermarket 3.54 gears fit perfectly.

[eaglefreek]

Thanks for the heads up. Luckily I've got a 2.73 front diff sitting on the side of my house so I can put 3.07's in my 86.

[IowaEagle]

Eggs added for your research and updated info.

[dansvan]

Couple of pics.


Left to right. Eagle 2.35 carrier. Jeep 3.73 carrier. Eagle 2.72-3.54 carrier

[profeagle]

Boy oh boy, I am reading all this and only wish I could sell my Eagle parts such as the ones you are talking about. I have at least one of all Eagle gear sets in complete front and rear ends and they will soon have to go to the scrap if I get tired of tripping over them. My location is about 90 miles north of Toronto Canada. So too bad so far away, but I come to Iowa at where I am now at least once a year at this same time, but I know that is too long to wait this time, maybe next time, anyone ?

But I say if you really want something, go get it, that's what I do, recently traveled over 600 miles for a free Eagle with 5 speed ! It was only good for parts though.