Drive Axle - 7 1/8" & 7 /9/16" & 8 1/4" & 8 1/2" Ring Gears: Description
Front and rear drive axle assemblies have hypoid type gears with integral carrier housings. See Fig 1 or Fig 2 . Model 181 front axle is used on all models except 1999 Grand Cherokee, which uses Model 186 front axle. Model 194 rear axle is standard on all models except 1999 Grand Cherokee, which uses Model 198 rear axle. Model 216 rear axle is available on 1998 Grand Cherokee and Wrangler models. Model 226 rear axle is available on 1999 Grand Cherokee. Cherokee models are available with optional rear axle with 8 1/4" ring gear.
Optional limited slip differentials are available. All rear axles use limited slip system. Trac-Lok is serviceable if repair is needed. In addition, 1999 Grand Cherokee uses Vari-Lok speed sensing transfer differential, which is similar to Trac-Lok but is used on both front and rear axles.