SYE Option Questions

[Sublimejoe]

So the time has come to get an SYE for my XJ and I see several options and to be honest I don't really know what the difference is. I know there are Hack-n-tap versions and non H&T versions but other than that I am lost.

My first question would be, is it worth it to get a standard SYE as opposed to a H&T? It seems like I can get one for ~$200 as opposed to ~$125 for a H&T. If the standard SYE is far better I'd rather just get that for only an extra $80 or so.

Here are the different SYE kits I have been looking at, if anyone has any opinions, or knows where I can get a better deal please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help guys!

PORC SYE $178

Wilson Fabworks SYE $109

This one I don't really understand. It looks completely different than every other SYE I have seen. RE SYE $100

Advanced Adapters SYE $200 (Although I know I saw it somewhere for $175)

I have also heard that I can use a front driveshaft for the rear once I install an SYE because it is sightly shorter. Is this true?

 

[Clean Racing]

There is a lot of guys that swear by the hack and tap... I for one do not.. I have replaced a dozen hack and tap sye's with the AA kit in the last 5 years alone.. Why not spend the little extra cash now and DO IT RIGHT once than have to do it again.. Its really not that hard at all to install, there are tons of write ups on how to install it..

 

[Sublimejoe]

Sweet! What do I do about the driveshaft?

 

[snail]

The sure and proven driveshaft method is to measure, measure, measure; then see what works (whether this involves giving the measurements to a custom builder such as TomWoods, or finding a front DS that will work). That being said, front driveshafts from 4.0 automatics (manuals have a different length) are quite popular due to their abundance and cheap cost. I personally know a few people who sprung right for running the front DS and haven't encountered any problems (~6in of lift). I will be running one myself come the end of this week.

Note: If you do opt for a hack n tap, IronRock includes a reman. front DS with their kit for a good price

 

[souske]

Year and transfer case type?

 

[classic96xj]

i run the porc sye and a front ds with 6.5in of lift. havent had a problem yet.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Go with the AA SYE its made in the US and PORC sucks anyways.

 

[92xjunk]

Year and transfer case type?

^x2 If its a 231 run a seal sye
If its a 242 your pretty much stuck with a hack and tap
I run the Iron Rock H&T it works, but I had to run a grand cherokee front ds because the stock one was maxed out at ride hight on a 92 at 6.5" with a dana 44.

 

[DoctorPhate]

Hack and tap with front drive shaft in the rear, I beat on it heavily and never had issues. Buddy of mine is on 37s with the same setup, not sure i'd push it that far but hes waiting to install a Dana 300 so hes just waiting for it to brake so he can use the excuse with his wife. lol

 

[el_roy1985]

My 87 had a hack and tap. Never had a problem with it.

If I ever do an SYE on my 96, I probably will not go hack and tap. Mainly cause I don't mind taking the extra time/money to do it in a more "correct" manner.

 

[Sublimejoe]

Year and transfer case type?

99 231.

 

[Sublimejoe]

The sure and proven driveshaft method is to measure, measure, measure; then see what works (whether this involves giving the measurements to a custom builder such as TomWoods, or finding a front DS that will work). That being said, front driveshafts from 4.0 automatics (manuals have a different length) are quite popular due to their abundance and cheap cost. I personally know a few people who sprung right for running the front DS and haven't encountered any problems (~6in of lift). I will be running one myself come the end of this week.

Note: If you do opt for a hack n tap, IronRock includes a reman. front DS with their kit for a good price

I just checked out that Iron Rock kit. $240 shipped for the SYE, tools and shipping seems like a pretty solid deal. Is this what you will be running?

 

[SleeperXJ]

The thing that steered me away from hack and tap was drilling into the end of the
shaft. I can barely get a drill lined up on the best of days. My chances of getting it
centered and going straight are worse without fixtures and the like. This is why I went with the AA SYE.

 

[90Pioneer]

If you look at the Rubicon Express kit it says the SYE is compatible with the 231 AND 242 T case. I didn't think there were any SYE's made for the 242. Is hack and tap not your only option?

 

[mikeythefireman]

The RE kit is a hack and tap.

 

[RCP Phx]

99 231.

Thats the reason for doing a HD SYE,the late model t-case doesn't always work well with a H-n-T. I tried a H-n-T on my 2000 but it still had minor vibes.Switched to a HD SYE kit,10yrs now and still smooth as silk!