[HeepToJeep]

The only reason Chrysler switched to ballbearings was because they're cheaper, rollerbearings are FAR superior in every way. Most people can get away with switching the hub, rotor and caliper but a couple have reported having to switch the knuckle as well. My approach would be taking my knuckle with me when I went to get my donor parts and compare the caliper mounting, if the old style caliper lined up with my knuckle then I would only get the hub, rotor and caliper...if it didn't, yank the knuckles as well. The difference in rotors is the center hole size and overall thickness.

Wm

[XJLI]

hmmm..

looks like i may have an upgrade in order..

[kg4kzv]

Originally Posted by HeepToJeep

The only reason Chrysler switched to ballbearings was because they're cheaper, rollerbearings are FAR superior in every way. Most people can get away with switching the hub, rotor and caliper but a couple have reported having to switch the knuckle as well. My approach would be taking my knuckle with me when I went to get my donor parts and compare the caliper mounting, if the old style caliper lined up with my knuckle then I would only get the hub, roto and caliper...if it didn't, yank the knuckles as well. The difference in rotors is the center hole size and overall thickness.

Wm

I may have the parts needed all ready. I have an 86 XJ parts Jeep and a 89 that I don't know what I'm going to do with yet. So if I need to swap knuckles that is no biggie.


Chris.

[Bryson]

Originally Posted by HeepToJeep

The only reason Chrysler switched to ballbearings was because they're cheaper, rollerbearings are FAR superior in every way. Most people can get away with switching the hub, rotor and caliper but a couple have reported having to switch the knuckle as well. My approach would be taking my knuckle with me when I went to get my donor parts and compare the caliper mounting, if the old style caliper lined up with my knuckle then I would only get the hub, rotor and caliper...if it didn't, yank the knuckles as well. The difference in rotors is the center hole size and overall thickness.

Wm

I've heard from a couple people who've done the swap, that the only thing needed was the early style rotor. Thats from people with early going to late, as well as late going to early (so to speak). There are different PN's between the early and late model D30 knuckles, but whether or not that difference is in anyway related to the caliper is unclear.

I'll be doing the swap eventually, but would like to do a brake upgrade at the same time (wilwood calipers and 12" rotor FTW). I will be selling the brake kit eventually as well