So, I may be purchasing a 2004 Grand Cherokee for cheap due to the owner burning out the front differential on accident... Now I know they use the Dana 30, my question is how easy/hard will it be to swap it out? Not too familiar with axles and what-not, is this a solid front?

 

Yep, Dana 30, FBI axle: 27 spline, can have a 3.55 or 3.73 ratio. No difference from '99-'04. Pick 'n Pulls should be loaded with them...

 

Now, I want to make sure I have the right ratio, how can I figure it out which one I need?

 

Dana axles are usually stamped somewhere with the ratio. If not check the glovebox for a sticker with axle ratio. If you strike out there, you can always either goto a dealer or the Jeep website and request a build sheet which will detail everything that vehicle left the factory with. All you need is the VIN# and there is no fee for this service.

A build sheet will look like this one that I requested in 2006 when I bought mine:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
regarding the build sheet for your 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory
with the following:

Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
Dk/Lt Slate Gray
Cold Weather Group
Skid Plate Group
Luxury Group
Trailer Tow Group IV
Monotone Paint
Overland Decor Group
Radio-CD/Cass/10 Disc/Infinity Spkrs
Quadra-Drive 4WD System
Up Country Suspension Group
4.7LHO Eng(EVC)/5spdA/T 5-45Rfe(DGQ)
136 Amp Alternator
625 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Low Back Bucket Seats
Highline Door Trim Panel
Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
Supplemental Side Air Bags
Child Seat Anchor System-LATCH Ready
Next Gen Multistage Front Air Bags**
Supp. Side Curtain Frt/Rr Air Bags
Floor Carpet
Cargo Compartment Carpet
Cargo Tie Down Loops
Front & Rear Floor Mats
Covered Cargo Storage
Cargo Trim Panel w/Storage Net
Door Sill Scuff Pads
Cargo Compartment Cover
Passenger Assist Handles
Mini Overhead Console
Full Length Floor Console
All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions
5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
Lock-Up Torque Converter
Quadra-Trac II On Demand 4WD System
Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
3.73 Axle Ratio
Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle
Vari-Lok Progressive Front Axle
Vari-Lok Progressive Rear Axle
4.7L High Output V8 MPI Engine
Tinted Windshield Glass
Front Door Tinted Glass
Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
Flipper Liftgate Glass
Rear Window Defroster
Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
Power Sunroof
Remote Keyless Entry
Sentry Key Theft Deterrent System
Air Cond ATC w/Dual Zone Control
Hood Insulation
Deluxe Insulation Group
Route 44 - FEC, Miami, FL
Electroluminescent Instr Cluster
120 MPH Primary Speedometer
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
Dual Note Electric Horns
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Locking Glove Box
12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
Power Accessory Delay
Power Locks
Power Windows, Driver One-Touch
Power 10-Way Heated Memory Seats
STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
Illuminated Entry
Warning Chime
Vehicle Information Center
Courtesy Lamps
Glove Box Lamp
Ash Tray Lamp
Door Courtesy Lamps
Rear Courtesy/Reading Lamps
Cargo Compartment Lamp
Traveler/Mini Trip Computer
Radio/Driver Seat/Mirrors Memory
Halogen Headlamps
Automatic Headlamps
Fog Lamps
CHMSL Lamp
Security Alarm
Chrome/Body Color w/Accent Grille
Black Windshield Moldings
4.7L HO Badge
Grand Cherokee Badge
Jeep Badge
V-8 Badge
Roof Rack
Quadra Drive Badge
Overland Badge
50 State Emissions
Low Emission Vehicle (LEV)
Bright Exhaust Tip
20.5 Gallon Fuel Tank
Power Steering Cooler
Speed Control
Hydraulic Engine Cooling
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
AM/FM Cass/CD Radio w/Changer Ctrl
Infinity Speakers
Fixed Long Mast Antenna
10-Disc Remote CD Changer
Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Ctrls
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Wood/Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Normal Duty Suspension
Tilt Steering Column
Inside Mounted Spare Tire
Full Size Matching Whl Spare Tire
P235/65R17 OWL All Terrain Tires
Goodyear Brand Tires
17X7.5 Aluminum Chrome Wheels
All Aluminum Wheels
Power Adjustable Pedals w/Memory
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
Front Suspension Skid Plate
Bright Tow Hooks
Class IV Receiver Hitch
7 Pin Wiring Harness
7 to 4 Pin Wiring Adaptor
Universal Garage Door Opener
Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
Protective Coating and Remover
Build To U S Market Specifications
Without Billable Fuel
Spring - Left Front
Spring - Left Rear
Spring - Right Front
Spring - Right Rear
GVW/Payload Rating

If we can be of any assistance to you in the future, please let us know.

 

Congrats on the 2004. 1999 thru 2004 is my favorite Grand. Classy looking IMO. Also the easiest to work on. I can't stand the 2005-2010. I think they look all wrong.(no offense Hammer) Wasn't a fan of the earlier square body either, but that's just mainly because I tend to favor bodies with curves and bubbles...lol. The steering wheel was always in my chest. Seats didn't go back far enough, etc.

 

Not quite mine yet, still trying to work with the guy (co-worker of my father) to figure out a good price. Still has $3K left to pay on it, but I don't think he could even get anything near that from a dealer... Anyone have any idea? I think $1000 would be a decent price to pay, front axle swap shouldn't be that too hard

 

I agree with you. My GC is an '02. I love the WJs.

Although I gotta admit the 2011s are pretty damn sweet!!!


I dunno. Lowest I've seen any '04 with 4WD around here would be a Laredo 4.0 with upwards of 130k miles on it and the dealer was wanting $8995 for it. Now I have no idea what the dealer had in it or what they would have taken. That was the advertised price.
I also don't know how much you can deduct for the fact it needs a front axle. But yeah, I'd think it'd be tough for the dude to get what he owes for it...

 

Well, he wanted $1500 so I met him halfway. Gonna probably pick it up this weekend (hopefully). Need to start pricing out a new axle... I'm hoping it won't cost that much, does anyone have a ballpark idea of the price?