Hello,
I am going to embark on a job this weekend, of swapping in a 'newer' Dana 35c rearend on my 96 JGC. I have never done this before and was wondering if anyone had any tips, or points to emphasize before I get started. I think it is pretty straight forward, but want to know if there is anything I can pay more attention to to avoid any mishaps. I plan on compressing the springs, unbolting the shocks, disconecting the drive shaft, and then dropping from there? Thanks for any tips/advice you can give.
Ben

You shouldn't need to compress the springs...at least not with a compressor...just a floor jack. Set the Jeep on jack stands, remove the tires, then lift up the axle with a floor jack enough to release the shocks and anti-sway, then lower and remove the springs. Then pull the arms, track bar, brake lines, driveline, ABS cable, parking brake cable, etc.

Are you sure you have the same gear ratio in the newer setup? Could really ruin your day if you waste a TC.

Steve B, Thanks for the info, I am 99.9% positive that the ratio is the same 3.73. Only reason Im not sure is that someone could have replaced the axles on my jeep previously but I dont believe so. Someone here was awesome enough to check my VIN number and the VIN number if the rearend Im getting and they both came back with the 3.73s. Rearend was supposed to be delivered Friday, and didnt show up, so hopefully get it done this Saturday now. My uncle is going to help me out, he has a torch and air ratchet so hopefully things go well. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Is there any specific order to removing the rearend once the shocks are off? Whats a gracious estimate on the time to complete this job? Thanks for the help!


Ben

No real order after the springs are out. Plan a full afternoon, especailly with rusty bolts. Here in Phoenix, my first time took a buddy and I about 3 hours, but that was with rust free fasteners.

Job is complete..........kind of. It took about 5 hours to swap in the new rearend, I needed to take the old emergency brake plates from mine off and use them on the new one, so Ihad to pull the axles on both units. However the job is done and the rearend is bolted in, no problems for the first 5 miles, now im hearing a constant scrapeing from the rear area, cant tell if its from around the drivers side rear wheel or the differential it self. I used 80W90 gear oil, and an after market additive that is supposed to prolong the life on a rearend. When I took the axle out from that side I wiped it with a rag before putting it back in, I was assuming the axle shaft would be lubed with the new gear oil? I left the emergency brake cable undone so I dont beleive its that, I also dont think its the brakes dragging because when I hit the brakes firmly the noise continues until I stop. Is it possible somethings rubbing? I got under there and looked and didnt see anything that would rub. If the bearings were bad would they make that scrapeing sound? ANy ideas would be helpful, as I dont want to burn out this rearend!

I would pull the drums and check. Also check for something rubbing on the drive line...possibly that e-brake cable.

You should be able to jack it up so the tires clear the ground and spin them by hand to find the noise. If it doesn't happen with the weight off, then you may have a bearing problem.

Steve, I have disc brakes on the 96 JGC. Thanks again for your help, the cable and the bearing ideas are once that i have yet to check, I will try that asap, hopefully the bearings aren;t bad (whats a reasonable price to have them redone?). Thanks!

Sorry...wasn't thinking straight on the brakes.

Bearings should be $20 to $30 OTC but you could expect to pay around $60 each from a shop and they book at an hour a side for labor.

Got the wheel off last night, and it was the backing plate rubbing on the rotor. Caused by some drunk A$$ runnning into my parked car at 50mph. Screwdriver and hammer fixed the problem.!Thanks!