D30 questions

[Nightpath]

I will be swapping my current D30 (2.73) out for one from a SX/4 (3.54) to match the D35 going into my Eagle.

Questions :

Pinion seal : Will a pinion seal from a newer Jeep fit the bill for the driveshaft, or do I have to hunt for one for my Eagle (Hard to find around here and over priced)

Since the diff came off an SX/4, and it's going onto a 1986 Wagon, will it fit without a problem?

[carnuck]

Get the hanger from the passenger's side of the motor if the new axle is non-vacuum. There is an @ 2" difference in length because the early axles weren't vacuum. When they made vacuum ones, the housing got larger, so the hanger was made shorter. Later non-vacuum ones were made to take the shorter hanger.

Right (passenger's side) front axle seal is (Napa Oil Seal) NOS 12386;
 Left axle seal is NOS 13810
and front pinion seal is NOS 15788

Rear pinion seal is NOS 18444

Front pinion seal is the same as we got for my son's '96 Grand Cherokee low pinion D30 front this past weekend. $20 at Crappy tire (their own number was different but same number on the seal in the box)

[Nightpath]

The was no motor in the car when I pulled the front differential out. Any easy tells so I can see the difference?

I think the SX4 was from 1982

[carnuck]

Look at the axle where it hangs on the pass side and compare it to your current one. Early one is much smaller diameter.

[Draekon]

If both are '82 or newer, they should be the same.

[Nightpath]

Sx4 is an 81, my wagon is a 86.

Guess I'll have to look at finding a proper part if it doesn't match. As far as I know neither is vacuum so I guess that's a good thing.

[Nightpath]

Ok I went out and measured the best I could. They appear to be the same size.

Is there a particular place I should measure to make sure?

[carnuck]

You can see where the passenger's side axle attaches on the left side of this pic. This is an '80/81 axle that needs the longer bracket because of how small it is.

[Nightpath]

So the part I'm looking at is the 2 holes on the top, or the 2 that go down the side?

The ones on the side of my spare diff look the same as the ones on the car now. Can't see the ones on the top but I suppose ramming a camera in there might help.

[Nightpath]

WOuld you have a pic of the newer axle for comparison?

[captspillane]

He's talking about the chunk of metal a few inches from the flange on the passenger side. The passenger side engine mount sticks down with two flaps that go on either side of that chunk. A bolt goes through both flaps and through the center of the hole, horizontal to the ground and from front to rear.

When they added the vacuum disconnect that chunk was on top of a cast housing, so it was higher up. They shortened the flaps coming down from the engine mount. Later when the disconnect went away in 1986 they made the chunks much higher and taller, which let the flaps stay short.

You should be able to just look at that picture and at your axle and see the difference. The chunk is much taller and rectangle instead of short and square.

[carnuck]

I can take a fresh pic with that in focus. The front diff is in my shed, awaiting time for me to re-bearing it.

[Nightpath]

Here's my axle. Looks the same as the one you linked :

http://

[carnuck]

It's the other end (off screen) that is different.

[Nightpath]

Now I have no idea what we are talking about. Maybe I r be retarded