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Searching for factory installed D44 - moot?

2K views 24 replies 18 participants last post by  lynn 
#1 ·
As you may or may not know, I'm looking for my first Wrangler. As of last night, I was absolutely set on finding a nearly stock TJ with the I6 and a D44 from the factory. I've since found myself wondering if my parameters are too specific, specifically regarding the last part. Here's a super long-winded reason why:

Since the D44 was just an option in most TJ's, such equipped Wranglers obviously aren't as plentiful as I sort of wish they were. Additionally, the majority of them that I have found, are measurably more expensive than those with D35's in the rear, regardless of if the owner knows what they have. An irritating phenomenon to say the least. Am I being ridiculous by ruling out all non-D44 TJ's in my search and limiting myself to the less easy-to-come-by upgraded ones?

I ask for a few reasons:

--First, the Jeep will be my daily driver and will probably only see the mountains once a week or so, and will be used most often on heavily rutted and somewhat rocky, but manageable trails. I'd like to take it to Moab and the other parks in SE Utah every few months, but will probably be avoiding the more intense rock crawling areas and will focus on less technical runs as my girlfriend will be serving as my spotter most of the time and she has never wheeled before. Might be doing mild hill climbing, but I'm pretty careful my vehicles, even when I put them to the test.

--Second, I'm not building a prerunner, dune buggy, or competition crawler / climber. This thing has to be decent (for a Wrangler) on gas, maintain something that resembles highway capability, and will probably be equipped with 33's or maybe 35's eventually, have an inch of body lift or budget boost, and a couple inches of suspension lift. We aren't talking anything crazy here. A rear locker will eventually happen, but isn't immediately necessary.

--Lastly, and possibly most importantly, from what I've read, it sounds like an eventual upgrade from a D35 to a used D44 or F8.8 isn't that crazy, even considering my mediocre mechanical abilities. Well, as long as I can get a buddy to do the welding portion. Also, I've come across a few rumors that say the TJ OEM D44 isn't really all that tough... or at least not as tough as other 44's.

Whew! Alright, let the comments roll in!
 
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#2 ·
I think you are giving too much focus on the rear axle. Based on the way you describe what your TJ will be used for just get any decent condition TJ at a fair price with the 4.0L engine and begin from there, you will be fine. But have fun!
 
#3 ·
so quotes the guy that brags about his factory dana 44 in his signature!!!!:welcome:

:beerdrinking: Anyways, hold out for what you want. There is a reason that people want the factory 44 and you know it. So dont settle!!!

I would recommend you broaden your search range. Good jeeps for cheap are out there you just have to look constantly and move fast as they get snagged quick.

Check out searchtempest.com It does all craigslist within a certain range you set.

Anyways good luck, be patient, "Your Jeep" will come.:)
 
#4 ·
I settled, or did I?
I bought an almost new, never wheeled, bone stock 04 X.

Wheeled the snot out of my open D35 for years on 33's and never broke it.
Had a lot of fun too.

A few years ago, I swapped in a built Rubi D44 I found on a local Jeep forum. Already had bigger spline axles, an ARB, and 4.88 gears in it. Score!

I looked for a TJ with a factory D44 in it. I could not find one that was not abused, or a Rubicon.

I would rather buy a nice stock Jeep with a D35, than someone else's cobbled together mess. I got to do all the cobbling myself!

Happy Jeep hunting.
 
#5 ·
My take on it is to hold out a little longer until you find a TJ with the factory D44. You won't pay anywhere near extra for that TJ than it would cost to replace the standard Dana 35.

It's better to have a little more axle than you need at first than learn you want to build you TJ up with lockers and bigger tires later while realizing you should have held out for the rear Dana 44. I paid $800 for my TJ Dana 44 15 years ago to replace my Dana 35. I wish I had known about the Dana 44 when I ordered/bought my '97 TJ new, it would have only cost me $271 extra.
 
#7 ·
Holding out for a Dana 44 is fine, but probably more important is a rust-free Jeep, particularly the frame. I hope you can find a good clean southern Jeep with low miles and the Dana 44 at a good price. Then you would have a good start. Read up on the Forum and do some research before you pull the trigger. There are still some good ones out there, but they are becoming more scarce as each year goes by.
 
#8 ·
Pretty sure you hit the nail on the head - that's exactly what I was thinking. The condition is more important to me than the options.

So, Paducah, eh? Safe to assume you do some wheelin' in LBL? I lived in Ft. Campbell and Clarksville for a while and would take my old Titan Pro-4X out there with the guys pretty often. Definitely a place to have a winch after a good rain. Some of those mud holes get pretty nasty.
 
#9 ·
I don't think you're being too picky if that's all you're looking for to be honest. I did catch that you're thinking 33s or 35s..... hold out for something with a D44.

I was extremely picky (engine, trans, color, stock, miles, D44) and after a while I found mine. Come to think about it, many of the Sports and Saharas that I went to look at had D44s, so they're not rare here at least.

You'll get plenty of people to chime in how what they have has worked for them, D35 is tough enough, "I run 35s with a D35", and whatnot, but they already have theirs, their decision has been made, so the only option is to make it work or to upgrade. You can bypass this with some patience.

Jerry's "pay less now or pay more later" example reigns true; hold out for what you'd like and don't let the "I gotta have it NOW" jeep-bug get to you. Also, if one isn't in your area, consider a trip (I've found what I've wanted, and most times for cheaper, even with the cost of a flight or road trip factored in)
 
#10 ·
As stated, you can hold out and wait...but $ for $, I personally I would take a clean and non-abused TJ with d35 over a TJ with a d44 that is beat to hell with a rusty frame.

A clean Rubicon is probably going to be the quickest option if you are dead set on d44's.
 
#12 ·
You are correct about LBL, kyledre! I have wheeled there a little bit, both at Turkey Bay and on some of the many 300 roads. There is a lot of mud up there sometimes, and it gets nasty pretty quick. I don't have a winch yet, but it is on my list to be added after I complete my re-gearing in the next few days and do the SYE. As others have said, your future plans for the Jeep should factor into your purchase. If you will only do light to moderate wheeling and never run tires larger than 33", the Dana 35 should be fine with some chromolly axle shafts. If you plan to lock the rear axle or run 35" tires, you would be better served with a Dana 44 or Ford 8.8 rear axle. You can also buy a Super 35 kit which comes with a locker and 30-spline chromolly shafts, and it is supposed to be good for 35's as well. No matter what axles you have, they will need to be re-geared for optimal performance with the bigger tires, and you don't want to have do something that expensive more than once. All the more reason to try to decide what you are going to be using this Jeep for. Best of luck with your purchase!
 
#14 ·
HOLD OUT I shopped for 6 months to find my low mileage stock TJ. Yes you can put in a replacement rear end but why spend the money. I went that route with me 1st jeep a 95 YJ with a D35 shopped around found a D44 then had it gone thru to make sure everything was in good shape before installing it. Not a deal breaker just more time finding one and more $$$ to get it in.

Now if you need a DD right away get the cleanest low mileage TJ you can find, otherwise keep looking.
 
#15 ·
You may be waiting a LONG time if you hold out for stock D44. Just sayin'.
As for my 98, it had D35, geared 3.07. Yuck.
FWIW, I found a used D30/44 set (geared how I wanted) from a TJ 6 years younger than mine. Did a total front/rear swap for about $2k OTD.
I say this because you'd hate to miss out on a good TJ, since you can add stuff to it later.
DO hold out for the I-6, though. :)
 
#16 ·
I looked for 6-8 months to find what I wanted and I did find it 6 cyl, 5spd, D44 w/ 4:10's and a hard top, I live in NW its required. Got real lucky, belonged to a Cops wife that commuted in every day and took it to Moab once just to say she did it. Never had more than 31's on it. so it wasn't abused. The husband was so anal about the thing, underside was virtually spotless, no dirt, no oil, no rust. Service records. Talked him down to $7500.00 from 8000.00 because it needed windshield and muffler. So I'll sum it up, they are out there you just have to find them. Good luck and don't compromise what you want, be patient.
 
#18 ·
I remember the day back in 2001 that I travelled from Nogales to Tucson to shop for my Jeep. They had a lot of jeeps on the lot. I would say more than 20 and I looked at everyone several times. I took so long the sales guy gave up and told me to let him know when I decided. As I recall on that lot, that day about half of them had D44 rear axel option. I sorted them by the Canyon Wheel Option. As I recall, you had to get the Canyon Wheels if you got the D44. It is still a good way to predict the axel from looking at the jeep, as in a picture. I can only share my experience with my 2001. hope it helps. I think I paid $25,000 for it FYI.
 
#19 ·
Dana 44's aren't hard to find. First, throw out any and all SE and X models - unless someone swapped one in, they didn't come with a 44 from the factory. So you're left with the Sport, Sahara, LJ, and Rubicon. The last three came with a 44 (might have to check the early Saharas...not entirely positive about them, but the later ones are for sure). The sport is the only one that has any question to it (as it was optional) - but most I've seen around here have the 44.

If it is what you want, wait it out - you'll find one and you'll be happier for it.
 
#20 ·
Dana 44's aren't hard to find. First, throw out any and all SE and X models - unless someone swapped one in, they didn't come with a 44 from the factory. So you're left with the Sport, Sahara, LJ, and Rubicon. The last three came with a 44 (might have to check the early Saharas...not entirely positive about them, but the later ones are for sure). The sport is the only one that has any question to it (as it was optional) - but most I've seen around here have the 44. If it is what you want, wait it out - you'll find one and you'll be happier for it.
FYI - Saharas the 44 is an option. I have 2000 Sahara, no 44.
 
#22 ·
I found one that fits the bill! Admittedly, it's a little higher miles than some others (122k) and there are a few smaller issues, but it's better than the vast majority I've seen and the price was right. It's an '01 Sport with the D44, manual trans (wanted that for water crossings, plus I just enjoy them more), and a ProComp lift that a shop verified they installed... I think it's a 2", but will need opinions from you guys after I pick it up tomorrow.

I threw it up on a lift at a shop and all myself and the mechanic could find that's wrong with it are a few minor leaks, the worst being the rear main which still isn't too bad yet, a very small amount of chassis rust that I can pretty easily grind away, and a few rock chips on the hood that are starting to turn red. Other than that, it's super clean.

I'd have probably held out a little longer since I've only been looking for a month, but my Jeep fever is in absolute overdrive! Just couldn't pass it up!
 
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