D44 rear out of a 88 XJ?

JeepinMaxx

JeepinMaxx

Active member
Is a good axle to swap into my YJ?
What would it take to do a swap?
Would this be good for a future spring over project?

I appreciate the input

Thanks
 
well....

the width is correct. the bolt pattern is the same for the rims, and it's a Dana44. Heck, what's not to like about it.

(pssst....i have an extra one when you're ready... :wink: )
 
after everything I have done, spent and gone through, I wish it was spring over. But I am spring under, as far as work,

not to bad,

Had Detour cut off XJ mounts, weld on new mounts, think I spent like $50 for shock and perch mounts from Currie

Welded those on,

Put in a Locker, 4.88 gears, new bearing, and brakes. Which I needed to do any way. The brakes swap were a snap, everything else was a perfect fit. The XJ 44 has the same width, same bolt pattern, and you can go to a parts store and order Jeep parts for your Jeep axle.

Regrets,
If I knew I was going to full time wheel it, I would have went 8.8 (disc brakes, stronger)

Would have gone ARB, instead of Detroit.

Would have set spring perch mounts on vehicle, then welded, instead of going off factory measurements, but that was a live and learn.

And last but not least...

SPRING OVER
 
8.8 all the way. larger tubes, larger diameter 31 spline shafts (but not by a huge margin over the 30 spline 44) larger gears, discs, 4x4.5" Jeep bolt pattern. Drawbacks: c-clip axleshafts, 5/8" per side narrower than a stock Jeep axle, tubes not rosette welded to the housing (like Dana axles). Visteon uses molten "plugs" to affix the 8.8 housing to the tubes. Essentially, a pin or two is all that keeps the tubes where they are. a lot of people who lock 8.8s and wheel 35-40" tires have spun the housing (usually taking out the rear d-shaft) so they weld the tubes where they meet the housing. I like mine just fine. Plus, they are MUCH cheaper than any XJ 44 you will find. XJ 44s are a rare item. Exploder 8.8s are abundant everywhere. Only axle other than those (that is worth swapping in) that is cheaper is a D60. (rear) HTH, my swap wasn't that bad and I had to deal with all the ZJ brackets and coil buckets. Spring pads are a cake walk compared to that hassle. Good luck

Kevin c.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I'll stick with the 33's and D35 for another year or so. If I ever decide to go bigger - then I guess I'll be lookin at 8.8 and SOA. Everyone says do it once and do it right!
 
JeepinMaxx said:
Thanks for the input guys. I'll stick with the 33's and D35 for another year or so. If I ever decide to go bigger - then I guess I'll be lookin at 8.8 and SOA. Everyone says do it once and do it right!
Click to expand...

Do it once, do it right?

Go with the D44 then. For the price, find a D44 out of an XJ, and add disc brakes. You find that the cost will be lower than that for the 8.8 You won't need spacers for the wheels, you won't need to remove brackets and have them welded on (if you stay spring over, if you want spring under find a D44 from a MJ and save a bunch of money). The differences in sizes for the tubes and ring gear are minimal.

But it's your choice. At one point D44 were considered as tough an axles as you would need for wheeling. Jeep has been using them as standard equipment since the 40s.

I would personally find a D44 and use it. They are plentiful.


Erik
 
The whole c-clip thing in the 8.8 scares me. If you break an axle, c-clip, c-clip button, or spidergear, the axle will slide right out of the housing. A 44 has the bearings pressed right onto the outer end of the shaft and has a retaining plate. If the axle breaks, at least you can get off of the trail without using a log as a slider. :?

The 8.8 is convenient if you are going to yank it out of an explorer and throw it right in without doing anything other than perches. If you are going to build and spend money on a locker, and gears, a 44 is worth looking for. Some people ask ridiculous amounts of money for them. :roll: If you have the time, keep your eyes open for a good deal on one, they come along more often than you think.
 
So what's a good deal on a late '80s D44 out of an XJ? I was offered one without brakes as part of a trade. The only reason I was considering it was for future upgrades. What would you pay? I'd have to buy lockers, brakes, etc... With an Exploder 8.8 wouldn't the disk brakes hold the axles in if the C clip goes or axle snaps? What's the difference in axle strength?


I have a feeling if I really get into wheeling - I'm eventually going to snap the D35... :wink:
 
You see them posted for $450 to $500. This is way too much money. Somewhere in the 3's is reasonable. anything in the 2's is a very good buy. 100 and you stole it.
 
In the $400 range for the '88 XJ D44 without brakes + 3.54's? He wanted to trade the axle + 4 Outlaw II rims and stock 235x75 R15 tires (1K miles on them) for my old Kawi quad (which I was asking $500 for). Should I take the deal? Small 4x parts for big 4x parts 8)
 
If you are gonna swap out the rear and go SOA. You don't need to worry about bolt patterns. Just swap front and rear axles.

isuzu dana 44- 4.30 gears, LS, Disc brakes, 6 lug. Pick em up for 200 complete.

waggy fronts are pretty easy to find if you keep your eyes open.

jon
 
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