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Rear axle question

7K views 48 replies 11 participants last post by  Gilcano 
#1 ·
Someone told me that a Dana 35 (stock for 87 Wrangler) is not strong enough to hold 35's. He told me to get a Dana 44. I'm planning to get 5" lift from 4WD.com. My question is: Can I get a Dana 44 from a CJ5 or 7?. They will fit without many modifications?. Please advise. Thanks
 
#2 ·
its definately good advise that 35's are generally too much for the d35, and no cj axle is gonna bolt right in. and the bolt patterns are different. i'd say your best bet is to find a d44 out of an xj/mj, they are hard to come by but the bolt pattern is the same. no axle is a direct bolt in to a yj since the 35 was all that was made for it, but it is very minimal modification to an xj/mj d44.
 
#3 ·
Make it easy on yourself, buy a ford 8.8 from an explorer. Thats what i'm running.... extremely easy to come by and minimul work to fit to a YJ......Factory disc and LSD is a huge bonus
 
#4 ·
The dana 35 is junk. I am on my third in two years. I just picked up a 8.8 with disc brakes,and 4.10's out of a 99' exploder the day before yesterday.
plan on swapping it in before spring with a selectable locker. I will do a write when I do.
Do some research this is a fairly common swap.
You can pick these up pretty cheap I paid $250.

advantages:
1) same wheel bolt pattern
2)disc brakes
3)easy to find lots of aftermarket support
4)super strong,1.31" diameter axles,8.8" ring gear.

disavantages:
1)axle is 5/8 narrower on each side than the D35 but if you are using a decent offset wheel you will never notice
2)"c" clip axle's,but in order to have these bother you would need to break the 1.31" axles
3)the tubes are pressed into the center section,but it is cast steal so easy enough to weld.

If you have any type off fabrication experience and tool's it is not the big of a project to get one of these under your jeep.
 
#5 ·
When you said "but it is very minimal modification to a xj/mj d44" you are talking about Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Cpmanche?

I found this in the NET:

XJ and MJ Dana 44
The XJ and MJ are/were available with a Dana 44 with the heavy duty towing option or metric ton option. I'm not sure if the XJ always came with a Dana 44 when the towing option was ordered. The axles will interchange between the models and use a 5 on 4.5" wheel bolt pattern. This axle could also be a good low buck swap for a Wrangler YJ, but the sping perches would need to be moved. The shafts are one piece and 30 spline.

Thank for your comments
 
#7 ·
its about the same amount of work for either d44 or 8.8, the ebrake cable is probably not a direct bolt in for the 8.8, but i'm not sure.
solid advice right there..... Your correct as well, the stock jeep e-brake cables aren't a direct fit but i have seen some pretty crafty methods for making the cables work... I was lucky enough to score the whole explorer so i was able to take every single bracket, all the for cables, etc... making the ford e-brake cables fit the jeep was extremely simple.....
 
#9 ·
Nope, no flange adapter here...a little research and i found a conversion u-joint in stock at my local supplier ... 1310 on one side and 1330 on the other. adapter the jeep driveshaft to the ford flange..12 dollar u joint beats a 50 dollar adapter flange anyday... and yes, i have been beating on it with the v8 and the u-joint has taken the abuse just fine..
 
#10 ·
Good luck finding an XJ/MJ Dana 44. Around here, if you can find one, they go for about 800 bones. Not only that, but I've heard they are only a Dana 44 center, with small Dana 35 size tubes pressed in...
I just picked up a '96 Exploder 8.8 w/discs for $100, and the yard pulled and loaded it in my Jeep for me!
It is open, and 3.55, but I'm installing 4.88's and a locker anyway. Besides, the LSD is pretty worthless off road, more money, and relatively weak.
 
#14 ·
XJ/MJ dana 44's are extremely hard to find around here (VT),about $600 if you can find one.
Thanks for the tip on the aerostar adapter. Should be easy enough to find.
What do you plan on running for a locker?
 
#15 ·
I'm new with Jeeps and will like to know something, How do you identify a Dana 35 from a Dana 44 axle?. Could you use a Dana 44 in the front and rear at the same time or the back have to be stronger than the front (lest say Dana 44/front-Dana 60/back)?
Thanks for your comments
 
#17 ·
check this link out:
Axle/Differential Identification at http://www.4wheelnoffroad.com/

alot of handy info.
Dana 60 rear and a dana 44 front is a great combo.
Problem with running a Dana 60 rear you need to run big rubber to make up for the huge center section.
If you are not running larger than 36's and a v8 with hardcore wheeling you really do not need it.
But if you can do it you will never have to worry.
I run a ford 9" in my scrambler, out of an early bronco those are almost as tough as a D60.
 
#20 ·
check your emissions regulations in your state, it may become very expensive to make that satisfy emissions, some states the computer must jive with the vehicle. the computer can't be programmed to say caprice in a jeep. in illinois you just have to have the obd 2 system working in a 96 and newer vehicle, with no codes to pass.
 
#21 ·
We have the same 96-up OBDII regulations here in NY Check engine light on, automatic failure....... Which is the main reason i made sure i bought a 95 and early for my project...within the city limits it's a 3 minute dyno run while measuring emissions...outside of the city it's nothing more than a safety inspection......... Of course it doesn't hurt that i'm a DMV licensed inspector and do my own inspections :rolleyes:
 
#31 ·
i personally wouldn't do the lt1. some one did that on here not that long ago and had to mount something behind his tcase to get it to work. i would go with the tbi setup easier to work on and not as much computerized crap. but its all up to what u want suppose u could always try and shoe horn in a 454. i always wanted one in my jeep or a old school 426 hemi with a six pack. (overkill i know)
 
#35 ·
whoa whoa whoa, do not cut the brackets off and use it in your yj as a leaf spring suspension. if you are keeping your leaf springs, you can buy 2 to 3 d44's that use leaf spring suspensions for what that axle is worth.

depending on your area those axles go for as much as 900-1200 bux, and the cheapest i've ever seen is around 600.
 
#37 ·
whoa whoa whoa, do not cut the brackets off and use it in your yj as a leaf spring suspension. if you are keeping your leaf springs, you can buy 2 to 3 d44's that use leaf spring suspensions for what that axle is worth. :confused:

depending on your area those axles go for as much as 900-1200 bux, and the cheapest i've ever seen is around 600.
Yeah man, I was surprise too. Last Friday a friend hear me talking about replacing the rear axle of my YJ and he approached me and said: Hey I got one rear axle in my Brother-in-law garage, and happens to be this Dana 44. He just gave it to me for free. And better yet He told me to sell my 1987 because a friend of him have a 1995 (with 2” lift) he’ll get for me for $2,000.00. Things happens. Anyway, I'll wait because a "Junk Yard" guy is trying to get me a D44 front axle. I won't do anything yet with this rear axle.
Thanks
 
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