So, who has changed out their rear end and drive shaft (and u-joints)? What all tools are required? Anything out of the ordinary or will your run of the mill socket set and wrench set take care of everything?

 

you can do it with a few diff kinds of pliers, screwdrivers, socket set, breaker bar... and if you want it to go way faster air tools. I can swap out a rear end in about 2 hours on jackstands

 

Shoot.....compressor, air rachet, air impact, friggin metric sockets, a couple hours, a tall jack that can lift decently, and jack stands.....done! You'll need those open end wrenches that are specifically for brake lines, but pretty much tools you should already have.

 

x2

I did mine recently, if it says anything, I did it in a townhouse parking lot

It wasn't too hard at all.

 

Ha.....I did mine at a safeway parking lot. Luckily I just bought a new rear end on the way home, then Poof!. Bye bye. Swapped her in under rain. Oh I loved that cherokee.

 

removing the driveshaft is only 4 bolts, i think 12mm, where it attaches to the rear end. the other side slides out.

that'll get it off. not sure on changing the components out on the shaft. never done it.

 

Drive Shaft- 12mm 12 point socket (prefferably black sockets), and a T-30 Torx bit i believe for the front caps.

Rear End- 15mm sockets for the u-bolts, screwdriver and 3/8s wrench for brake line. 13mm (or 15mm) sockets for the shocks.

U-Joints- Pliers, a press, a socket that will fit inside the snap ring, a socket larger than the cap of the u-joint.

And to power the tools a compressor would be handy, or even better have a friend blow into the end of a air hose!! that usually works great!

 

Ha.... way too funny. That just happened to me, I just bought an 8.8 to replace my 7.5, and the 7.5 went out when the 8.8 was in the bed....goin in tomorrow!!!!!!