I think this axle/gear ratio is specific to the 98 5.9's isn't it? Anyone have any leads on a whole axle?

Im am certain I'd be looking for a used 3:73 front axle! Rebuilding that mess would aggrevate me to death! I'd be throwing tools around the shop and screaming explitives.
If you do choose to rebuild that thing don't spare the parts. And for goodness sake don't spare the cleaning. Just a few of them little metal dusts can cause seal leaks in unblieveable short miles.
Surely that thing was humming for many miles. One Jeep I purchased had a hole in the back cover from the inside out. (looked like a bullet hole) A bearing was thrown out of it..and IT wasn't in the shape yours is. I put new bearings and pinion seal in it and she is still on the road.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

[quote]I think this axle/gear ratio is specific to the 98 5.9's isn't it? Anyone have any leads on a whole axle? [/quote

Nope! 3:73 should at least be an option on most if not all Jeeps..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Ok so bolted it all up, minus the diff and axle shafts. With just the hubs bolted to the knuckle there is a LOT of slop in the wheels. I.e. in the air I can shift the wheels in and out top to bottom quite a bit. Almost feels like the lugs are a bit loose. I think I need some stub axles o something to slide in there. anyone have any thoughts?

Ok anyone know where to find a used D30 in 3.73 trim. ZJ is regular cut gears right?

That does not sound right. are you sure your bearing hub assemblies are in good shape?

Sean

Have you said where you are located...I cannot find where you are.
I use the local craigslist.org for Jeep parts. If none are in there I go to neighboring CL sites and search there.
Mine here in Austin has several axles that would do fine for you...
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Indiana, and what all models can I look in for compatibility? Also, do not even attempt to move a vehicle out of the garage with just the hubs bolted up and no axle shafts in it. Bad things happen.

No kidding "bad things happen"
Only on the internot.

The unit bearing is held together by the stub shaft and the 36mm nut, take out the stub and the unit bearing will split in half leaving you with broken steering knuckles and two wheels departed and the rest of the rig in the ditch or worse.

I Say "only on the internot" because accountability fails badly here, suggesting that one can simply take out the shafts and drive to work with this type of axle can be a death sentence. Unless you know for a fact something works, (not because you thought it sounded good sitting at your desk) don't make suggestions that can get people hurt.

This one is a doozy, but another example is suggesting changing pinion seals on axles that use a crush sleeve without explaining what happens if you do it wrong. It should get a new crush sleeve everytime and a 5 minute repair now costs real money. Professional axle techs and people skilled with tools who fully understand the concequences of doing it wrong should attempt it without changing the sleeve.

SD

"To answer your question, yes it is fine to take the shafts out and bolt the hubs back up. it will act like a regular 2 wheel drive car."

I guess a regular two wheel drive car spits out wheels? I knew as soon as I bolted it up it wasn't going to work, too much play, but in my fuzzy mind (it was late,) I thought the calipers would keep it from slipping off for long enough to move it out of the shop. I didn't take into account that the hub bearing was had a radius on the inside. I was thinking straight pin through a straight hole, don't turn it it won't go anywhere. I was wrong. Luckily I found an entire 98 5.9 for parts today Thank you for suggesting cragislist, first place I looked and there it was