im building some axles soon and which is better for rear medium to heavy crawling the d44 ford 9" or 8.8" dont really wan to mess with fullwidth if i did i have a set sittin here

 

do a google search for cherokee axle swap. It will search the threads of all the various forums. you will find enough articles and opionions to keep you reading for days.

 

Ford 9" is the strongest. I have no idea how hard that is to put in the Cherokee.

 

I would say it depends on what size tires you are planning to run. If you will only be going to say 33s and with a gear ratio no lower than 4.10s go for the easiest to change. If on the other hand you're going to 37s and plan on using it as a trailer Queen trail machine with 5.38 gears and lockers I would go with the Explorer 8.8 or Ford 9 inch.

 

im thinking like 35s yes its is a trailered trail machine no with the 8.8 is a drop in like ive heard or am i wrong but this thing will be built d30 prob ford 8.8 or 9b locker rear welded front cage the works in this thing

 

Running 35s and trailering it to the trails I would go with the 8.8 and run 5.13-5.38 ratios. The 8.8s carrier is weaker than some so I would weld or go with a full locker in the rear and not a lunch box. For the front I would go with a selectable locker.
( My Blazer ran Detroit lockers front and rear and going down steep grades on rocks I was not able to turn and had some very nervous times when I almost went over a couple of drop offs at the bottom! )

 

are you swapping the front as well? my axles of choice are the old little bronco axles i have the 44 front and a 9in rear with 4:56s and a locker in the rear waiting in the wings for my 30/8.25 to bust..if you are keeping the 30 front i'd go with the explorer 8.8 if for nothing else its gonna be the best rear with the right lug pattern

 

Also depending on your driving and terrain. But if your not overly hard on your rig. The Chrysler 8.25 built is pretty damn tough. And it's the least expensive and a straight bolt in application.
The 8.8 is pretty much a straight bolt in as well. ruffstuff has the best kit for that.
Nothing wrong with the 9". Takes more fab work.

 

yeah im pretty hard on it my avatar pic is really old it get beat on pretty good