2.5 NV4500 rear driveline angle

[JtDan]

I currently have a 2.5L 97 Jeep TJ wrangler with an NV4500 and NP231 w/JB conversion mega short shaft kit and custom cross member. 1” motor and body lift. I am getting ready to replace my rear Dana 35 with a 44 or 8.8. I have 4” Currie springs. My driveline is concerning me with its angle and the extra 2 inches I will loose do to the larger axle.

CV length is 18.5” at 20 degrees
Pinion angle 21 degrees

I did think about stretching my TJ or running a different transmission. Thoughts? Does anyone have a setup like this that can comment?

 

[Steel City 06]

How much free play do you have on those splines? There seems to be a lot left. I doubt the suspension would flex enough to close even half that gap, so perhaps it might work. That said, no way to know for sure until you get the new axle in and start cycling the suspension in all directions with the springs removed

 

[JtDan]

How much free play do you have on those splines? There seems to be a lot left. I doubt the suspension would flex enough to close even half that gap, so perhaps it might work. That said, no way to know for sure until you get the new axle in and start cycling the suspension in all directions with the springs removed

What about the angle of the yoke on the TC side? I don’t have vibrations but do you think it’s too steep?

 

[Rickyd]

What about the angle of the yoke on the TC side? I don’t have vibrations but do you think it’s too steep?

An 8.8 will increase the angle since the pinion is offset to the side and down quite a bit.a Dana 44 wouldn't change the angle much at all since its just the pinion possibly moving down a fraction of an inch.

 

[JtDan]

Thank you I appreciate the help.

 

[Steel City 06]

Honestly not bad overall for the current angle. Mine is even steeper. Just keep the pinion within a degree of being inline with the main body of the driveshaft. If the single rear u-joint has a significant angle on it, you will have vibrations.

 

[Blackjack]

Dana 44 is only an inch longer and looking at your shaft it looks like it should not have any real issue going in there.

 

[JtDan]

Thank you for the help. I’m going to pull the trigger and upgrade my rear axle. I’ll let you know how it works out.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Just curious, why the NV4500 with a 4 banger? I second the Dana 44 (and I currently have an 8.8).

 

[JtDan]

About 15 years ago I installed the nv4500 after my AX5 died. The AX5 lasted 220,000 miles and held up with 35’s. When it died I wanted to upgrade and wanted a V8 eventually. So I went with the beast. I also liked the low gearing and the over drive. With the 35’s and 4.88’s I can get it into 5th and cruise on flat roads. If I could do it again I would have done an AX15 and Atlas. At the time nv4500’s were all the hype. Kinda got caught up in it. I also got my nv4500 at a great deal. Same cost as an ax15 at the time.