Ok guys, I have been looking for a D44 from an xj with no luck. If any of you have one for sale or know where one is let me know. Now i am looking at putting in an 8.8 out of an explorer instead. Any thoughts? I have read that the 8.8 is stronger than the D44 but dont know if this is true or not. If anyone has done this or has a write up on it let me know. thanks.

 

A xploder 8.8 is a little narrower than stock but will work if you change the spring preches.

 

the ford 8.8 is stronger than a D44 but not quite as strong as a D60... Very good choice for a replacement axle..

 

there have been several write ups,just search the chat forum or the write up section.and yes the ford 8.8 is stronger,it has thicker,bigger axle tube and also gives you disc brake and either has 4.10's or 3.73'swhich can be matched with a dana 30 out of any 91 and up cherokee with a 4 banger 5 speed or 4 banger auto in that order.i cant wait to do my swap,ive been reading about them for a cxouple of years now.good luck.

 

i had an all wheel drive explorer with an 8.8 in it and they are pretty indestructible!! I use to do neutral bombs with when i first got my license. i sold the explorer to get the jeep but it has 221,000 miles on it and the fluid has never even been changed!! good rearend!! i have never owned a d44 but i own a 1 ton with a d60 up front and that is pretty well indestructible as well. id say 8.8 just because of my experience with them and you get to make the spring perches fit and weld!!!!! YAAAAYY!!!

 

I read it wrong.

 

a chain is only as strong as its weakest link

stock for stock a 44 is stronger

built for built (to the hilt) 8.8 is stronger

 

I beat the **** out of my 8.8 and its held up to everything ive thrown at it. Ive bombed 2 D35's and 2 8.25's but the 8.8 beats em all. Also it has disc brakes, a limited slip dif, and 4.10 gears from the factory (not all of em, but mine had all that). In addition to all that, theyre fairly cheap compared to the xj 44's ive seen floatin around. I vote 8.8

 

can you explain a little, i was under the impression the 8.8 has a slightly larger ring gear, and larger shafts. what makes the d44 stronger in stock form?

 

I disagree, 8.8 has a larger ring gear and larger tubes and larger axle shaft dia. So you facts are a bit off..

 

the tubes neck down towards the brakes

the stock carriers are weak and prone to breaking

FLANGE

tin foil diff cover

and more of an inconvenience than anything, but c-clips

 

good comparative information, I am headed one of these directions here in the near future

 

if i go with the 8.8 in the rear should i make any changes up front or leave it stock d30?

 

I have wheeled both of these axles.
The 8.8 has some problems that can be fixed easily
The tubes need to be welded to the Pumpkin
It is a bit narrower then the D44 (wheel spacers can fix this.. or it can be left alone)
The diff cover is crap. It peels back easily, and dents real easily

Upside they are 31 spline... d44 is only 30 not much difference... but some ppl make a big deal out of it.

The axle also hangs down a lil lower then the D44

Also some ppl make a big deal about the c-clip issue... I have never heard of anyone breaking the c-clip..it only becomes an issue when you have to change an axle shaft.



Ont0 the d44

You can find them in XJ width prices range from 100 to what ever the seller wants for them

Disc brakes swaps are as easy to find as going to the PNP and using a Crown vic or A ZJ setup, both require some work, but can be done

Both axles have a *** load of gearing options, I think the D44 has more though. Both have lots of aftermarket support.

To me having the d44 is cooler

 

You can just leave it.

I had a 8.25, went to the 8.8 before now going full width. I loved the 8.8. I beat the crap out of it and it never failed or broke anything. It was nice to have discs over the drums the 8.25 had, but you can put discs on a D44, also. As others have said, each are fairly strong stock, and there is a good amount of aftermarket support for each as well to build each axle up with. It just depends on what you can find a better deal on personally.