pandaxj34

Hey all. Im new to the forum and pretty new to jeeps too. i have a 98 4dr with a 4.5in RC lift and 32in bfg's. i am planning on upgrading my axel in the near future and have seen alot of different axel setups and am not sure what would be best for me.. i found a guy on craigslist selling two dana44s off of his 98 dodge for 350 total... Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

SeriousOffroad

What axles do you currently have?

pandaxj34

if i remember correctly i think they are dana 35..

sorry this may be in the wrong section... should prob be in advanced...

SeriousOffroad

Before buying new axles (don't waste your money needlessly on Dodge d44's), you need to ID the rear axle.

If it's a D35 don't spend a dime on it.

If it's a Chrysler 8.25" you'll be fine up to a 35" tire if you use a little common sense when your wheeling your rig. Alloy Shafts are a wise move if you do step up to 35's.

You're front is a HP D30 and doesn't need to be placed either. If you're concerned about the shaft strength, upgrade to Alloy Shafts. Pricey, but well worth the investment.

ol'DixieJeep

ford 8.8 and D30... chromoly shafts. you shhouldnt need anything more.

leave room in your budget for regearing.

SeriousOffroad

8.8 is too big for 32" tires.

pandaxj34

i will check tomorrow. we just got six inches of snow so im not about to check now. haha i know who to contact if i have any more questions (if thats alright)...
but thanks alot SeriousOffroad. i really appreciate the help.

and Dixie... never been a fan of ford... prolly never will be. thanks for the suggestion tho!

OOdynamite

I respectfully disagree. Why not have the confidence that he will pretty much never break a shaft running 32's on an 8.8. Or the fact that it's not really a hard swap (as long as you can weld), they are easy to find, come with disc breaks, and some came with 4.10's (if I'm not mistaken). I could understand how going full width 60's on 32s would be overkill, but I think that running an 8.8 with 32's would be fine. And then he always has the ability to move up tire size and not really have to worry about it, depending on how crazy huge he wants to go.

SeriousOffroad

Diff is huge. He'll drag it on everything.

Nickell586

8.8 has disc brakes and factory limited slip. Weld the tubes. full case locker. Regear. Superior shafts with c clip eliminators. And never look back. Stronger than a 8.25 and more aftermarket support.

OOdynamite

Fair point

SeriousOffroad

Don't get me wrong, the 8.8 is a good upgrade if the OP is going to run larger rubber.

OOdynamite

Word

Nickell586

I'm actually in similar position. Upgrade my d30/8.25, waggy 44s, or d44/8.8. Haven't made up my mind. I run 35s with stock shafts now.

ol'DixieJeep

forgot about the 32, thought he was upgrading for 35... im gettin mixed up with all the threads im on lol

for 32's stock is fine. regear and go. i didnt regear mine and i wish i did but youd be fine if you didnt too.