Driveway Axle Swap

phillypete

phillypete

New member
I am in the process of purchasing a new front axle to replace the stock Dana 30. I also love doing most of my own wrenching.

So my first question is how terrible will it be to swap in a crate axle without a lift?

If it’s moderately do-able what sort equipment (aside from typical wrenches and jack stands) will I need to get the job done?

Thanks!
 
J

JKDream

Guest
phillypete said:
I am in the process of purchasing a new front axle to replace the stock Dana 30. I also love doing most of my own wrenching.

So my first question is how terrible will it be to swap in a crate axle without a lift?

If it’s moderately do-able what sort equipment (aside from typical wrenches and jack stands) will I need to get the job done?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It's doable, I've swapped three different front axles in mine in driveways.
Get a good floor jack, and ratchet straps to position the axle for the control arms.
I'd probably recommend having an impact as well, it makes life a lot easier.
Other than some sockets/wrenches, and a hammer, I can't think of anything else you really need.
 
Saharaunlmtd

Saharaunlmtd

Caught the Bug
I did my axle swap with a floor jack and a skateboard. Typical tools will cover it. The hardest thing for me was figuring out how to unplug the abs wires on top of the frame rail.


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J

JKDream

Guest
Saharaunlmtd said:
The hardest thing for me was figuring out how to unplug the abs wires on top of the frame rail.


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Click to expand...

This was a huge pain in the ass for me too, I spent close to an hour the first time trying to go through the wheel well before I realized it's way more accessible underneath.
 
nmwranglerx

nmwranglerx

Caught the Bug
It's definitely doable. I second the impact gun as it will make things go a lot quicker. I bought a Milwaukee 1/2" and it worked out great. A extra floor jack is helpful too. Make a list of all the socket sizes you'll need so you don't have to send your wife to the autozone during install. I'm speaking from experience here, lol.


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jjsmail

jjsmail

New member
nmwranglerx said:
It's definitely doable. I second the impact gun as it will make things go a lot quicker. I bought a Milwaukee 1/2" and it worked out great. A extra floor jack is helpful too. Make a list of all the socket sizes you'll need so you don't have to send your wife to the autozone during install. I'm speaking from experience here, lol.


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Click to expand...

I agree with the Milwaukee Fuel 1/2”. That thing is a huge time saver. Also great tool to have on the trails.

I do all my work in my driveway so that definitely not an issue. And it won’t take too long. Should be able to do it in a half a day.



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WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
Agreed with all. Jack the vehicle up as high as you can to make sure you have a lot of room underneath.
 
Arrcherr

Arrcherr

Caught the Bug
WJCO said:
Agreed with all. Jack the vehicle up as high as you can to make sure you have a lot of room underneath.
Click to expand...

Harbor freight has some nice tall jackstands for a pretty reasonable price to make it a little easier.
 
Robertcrav

Robertcrav

Member
In addition to what everyone else has said, I made a crude axle dolly using a Harbor Freight furniture dolly and some 2x4s...very doable

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dillard09

dillard09

New member
One floor jack is a must but 2 makes it easier. The tall floor stands def help when you can have the jeep up high. Then just the normal things like sockets and end wrenches. Are you swapping the pinion yokes on the axles? If so those are tight as hell!! Must have super long breaker bar and cheater or a hellavu impact for that.
 
jesse3638

jesse3638

Hooked
WJCO said:
Agreed with all. Jack the vehicle up as high as you can to make sure you have a lot of room underneath.
Click to expand...

Arrcherr said:
Harbor freight has some nice tall jackstands for a pretty reasonable price to make it a little easier.
Click to expand...

badandy1 said:
Agreed. Please, Please make sure you use jackstands and chock both sides of the rear tires.
Click to expand...

dillard09 said:
One floor jack is a must but 2 makes it easier. The tall floor stands def help when you can have the jeep up high. Then just the normal things like sockets and end wrenches. Are you swapping the pinion yokes on the axles? If so those are tight as hell!! Must have super long breaker bar and cheater or a hellavu impact for that.
Click to expand...

^^^All of this^^^

I used the HF jack stands to raise the Jeep up high. Once on them I shook the shit out of it with the tires still on to see if it would fall. Was really solid. Mind you I had all 4 off the ground. I used to small jack stands to support the axle. Two floor jacks is nice to have as mentioned and a creeper will help you slide it around under there. Very doable.
 
13_gecko_rubi

13_gecko_rubi

Caught the Bug
Agree with pretty much all of above. Get a couple harborfreight furniture dollies like someone above said. They are like $10 each you you can move it easily by yourself. I just swapped in my third set of axles by myself in my garage using those dollies, many floor Jack's, ratchet straps, and a Milwaukee fuel impact. I have so really tall jack stands to get it way up there but normal HF 6 ton ones go up quite a ways as well

20180224_124148.jpg

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critter812

critter812

New member
13_gecko_rubi said:
Agree with pretty much all of above. Get a couple harborfreight furniture dollies like someone above said. They are like $10 each you you can move it easily by yourself. I just swapped in my third set of axles by myself in my garage using those dollies, many floor Jack's, ratchet straps, and a Milwaukee fuel impact. I have so really tall jack stands to get it way up there but normal HF 6 ton ones go up quite a ways as well

View attachment 304335

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Click to expand...
What brand are those jack stands?
 
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