I've been told my 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo (4.7 V8 w/SelecTrac) has the 3.73 ratio rear axel. The auto parts guy determiend this by using my VIN to look it up. Okay, sounds reasonable. He also said that any GC without the tow-package would have the 3.73 rear end, regardless of model (Laredo, Limited, Overland, etc.). Okay... really?
So I went to the auto recycling yard (pick-and-pull place), found a GC with a V8 (a Limited) that looked like it had been taken care of and pulled the driver's side rear axel shaft. Drove three hours home... pulled mine off, and FAIL! The one from the Limited model was about 3/4" longer and had more teeth (or so it looked).
Now the guy says I have to go to a dealer to determine what axel shaft I have so he can order the correct axel seal, bearing, and retainer!
I don't belive this. Since I've got my axel shaft already pulled, I simply want to cut the bearings and other things off and press on the new ones... but before I can order them, I need to know I'm ordering the correct set. How hard can this really be? I have the Laredo with a 4.7 and SelecTrac four-wheel drive system. I do not have a factory-installed tow package (added that myself). How many different axel shafts did they make, for crying out loud? And why?
I've looked up the parts online, but the "interchange" info says there's no difference between these parts for the Laredo and Limited. So I'm confused more than ever now.
How can I determine what I have in terms of a Spicer or Dana rear end, and then the bearings I need?
Maybe the answer is obvious - I admit I'm way over-tired with only 5 hours of sleep in the last two days.
Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
-Josef
So I went to the auto recycling yard (pick-and-pull place), found a GC with a V8 (a Limited) that looked like it had been taken care of and pulled the driver's side rear axel shaft. Drove three hours home... pulled mine off, and FAIL! The one from the Limited model was about 3/4" longer and had more teeth (or so it looked).
Now the guy says I have to go to a dealer to determine what axel shaft I have so he can order the correct axel seal, bearing, and retainer!
I don't belive this. Since I've got my axel shaft already pulled, I simply want to cut the bearings and other things off and press on the new ones... but before I can order them, I need to know I'm ordering the correct set. How hard can this really be? I have the Laredo with a 4.7 and SelecTrac four-wheel drive system. I do not have a factory-installed tow package (added that myself). How many different axel shafts did they make, for crying out loud? And why?
I've looked up the parts online, but the "interchange" info says there's no difference between these parts for the Laredo and Limited. So I'm confused more than ever now.
How can I determine what I have in terms of a Spicer or Dana rear end, and then the bearings I need?
Maybe the answer is obvious - I admit I'm way over-tired with only 5 hours of sleep in the last two days.
Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.
-Josef