ZJ/WJ axle swap?

[IdahoEagle]

So... I'm giving the whole ZJ concept more thought again... I want to keep the ABS functional, it will be a mild wheeler, camipng, expedition and DD rig. Less than 4" of lift with either 31s or 33s... I'm thinking about WJ axles and wheels as far as an overall upgrade for steering and brakes. I know the housings are pretty much the same strength. The rear will definitely need different bracketry to go under it, what about the front though? Will the existing brackets work or do they need to be completely changed as well?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

The WJ axles are wider, JK even WIDER than those. So, new mounts would be necessary.
XJ axle shafts will bolt in to ZJ housings. So, in theory as long as you run shafts with ABS tone rings should be good to go there. In theory, pick up a non-disco HP XJ axle and swap it out? Could keep the ZJ shafts as spares.

 

[IdahoEagle]

I know about the whole ZJ, MJ, XJ, YJ, TJ parts interchange. The question was about the WJ axles under the ZJ. I wonder if the frame mounts on the WJ are the same distance apart side to side as the XJ/MJ/ZJ setup is. There has to be a reason for the curved arms besides tire clearance...

 

[yossarian19]

The mounts would all need to be shaved off & replaced. Control arms, sway bar, track bar, none of it is in the right place for a ZJ setup OR a WJ swapp'ed ZJ axle. So you'd be on your own trying to fix all the geometry if you tried to keep the WJ brackets.
The axle is another variant of the LP30, too. No strength gains.
Wild-ass guess, here, but I'd suspect the WJ tone rings / sensors are different and not compatible with ZJ stuff. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong - but that's my guess.

What you want, my friend, is an HP30 from an XJ. Put a cover on it, put a WJ swap on it or a Vanco brake kit, use ABS shafts, reinforce the passenger's UCA mount if you want to & call it a day. Don't want the expense of WJ steering? use your stock steering, but get a pitman arm with another 3/4 - 1" of drop.

If you want to go nuts, put a 4" lift on the ZJ and follow GoJeep's writeup on drop brackets w/ WJ control arms. They really do ride much nicer.