Dana HP30 swap questions

fisher1630 · 11-30-2010, 12:59 PM

My front axle is running on borrowed time right now, been finding alot of metal filings in the fluid plus it is rather noisy when the 4wd is engaged. Guessing that it is time for replacement. I have 3.55 gears so I know finding a HP30 axle will be easy. I do have a couple questions though. First off is there any drive shaft that will fit the new axle, assuming I cant reuse my old one. Next is there anyway to align this axle other then getting adjustable front control arms. I know about the ABS, but is there anything else I should look out for. BTW my jeep is a 97 with 242 transfer case and has the I6. Thanks for your help.

Spike300 · 11-30-2010, 01:05 PM

Straight bolt up. I have one sittin in the shop to be rebuilt. But the only thing i heard if you get IROs longarms, that you have to ask for the XJ adjustable end. But its straight bolt up other wise. The only thing different from the Lp version is the Hp has better clearence

**ratmonkey** · 11-30-2010, 01:20 PM

you'll "probably" find that the lack of cam adjusters for the caster isn't an issue. if you don't like it, and don't want to buy adjustable arms if you aren't lifting it, then there are a couple companies that make HD lower control arm mounts with the eccentrics in them.

fisher1630 · 11-30-2010, 05:01 PM

What about the front driveshaft length does that have to be cut down, or will one from a cherokee fit?

RussellZJ98 · 11-30-2010, 06:03 PM

These are the same questions I posted a while back and never got answers to. I'm Pretty sure, as long as your zj is lifted, you should be fine with your driveshaft. I would imagine Unless you have 2-3 inches of life, the HP will make your front driveshaft too short.

**Technohead** · 11-30-2010, 06:25 PM

When I swapped in a HP30 I ran the same driveshaft but its very close to bottoming out, only a 1/2" of compression left. The good news is that the front driveshaft tends to lengthen as the front suspension cycles, especially with short arms. My plan has been to shorten the driveshaft but I've been running it like that for over a year now no problem and that includes trail rides brutal enough to blow out shocks.

fisher1630 · 11-30-2010, 06:50 PM

Technohead, you seem to be running a significant amount of lift. I on the other hand am currently running no lift. That means my drive shaft will probably be too long.

Russel, if I am thinking about this correctly an HP axle will reduce drive line angles thus would make the current shaft be potentially too long. Not too short.

I was hoping to find this information out ahead of time as this is my DD and I can't afford for it to be out of action for multiple days as I accumulate parts.

RussellZJ98 · 11-30-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1630

Russel, if I am thinking about this correctly an HP axle will reduce drive line angles thus would make the current shaft be potentially too long. Not too short.

Bingo. I ran across a chart the other day that had all of the lengths of drive shafts that came on all jeep Models. I'm sure you could find a driveshaft that will be the correct length and would directly bolt up with your transfer case and the new axle. Why are you choosing to swap in a HPD30 if you aren't lifted?

fisher1630 · 11-30-2010, 07:01 PM

Current axle is about to crap out on me. Its really noisy in 4wd and the fluid was full of filings the last time I changed it. I figure if I have to fix it might as well put in a hp30. I plan on eventually doing a modest lift in the 2.5-3in range.

**Technohead** · 11-30-2010, 07:38 PM

Without lift I think you may have some clearance issue with the HP. There is a reason why they did not use them in ZJ's to begin with.

fisher1630 · 11-30-2010, 08:38 PM

do you think 2-3 inches of lift would be enough to clear. Anyone here swap an hp30 in with just a bb?

AlphaLorde · 11-30-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1630

do you think 2-3 inches of lift would be enough to clear. Anyone here swap an hp30 in with just a bb?

I would also like to know this

blackjack12982 · 12-01-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1630

do you think 2-3 inches of lift would be enough to clear. Anyone here swap an hp30 in with just a bb?

Yep, sure did! I haven't noticed any problems with it. Having said that, I haven't seen my heep in a couple of months, and like 6-7 months before that. But the year that I was back home, it drove fine and I never had any problems with the front DS at all...

fisher1630 · 12-01-2010, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the input blackjack, so with a bb or higher I should be able to retain the stock driveshaft and not have clearance issues. Thats nice to know. Just curious what snags you ran across doing the swap. Also did you have any alignment issues.

blackjack12982 · 12-01-2010, 12:54 AM

We didn't run into any problems at all with the swap. Our problems came as the day wore on and the beer started to get warmer, we all started to get frustrated while setting up the gears. Eventually we ended up just throwing them in there, and it's turned out pretty good. It drove fine for almost a year before I deployed, and my wife hasn't had any problems with it while I've been gone.