Im wanting to put a dana 44 under the rear of my xj. since the orignal xj dana 44s are so hard to find, is there another 44 that is about the right width? wagoneer 44 maybe? i know the bolt patern is different on the waggy axles but i can fix that. any suggestions?

 

The Full size Wagoner has a off center chunk so you can not use it in an xj there is a guy selling one on here out of a 1987 xj today with a trac loc for 300 bucks....just keep looking....it took a couple months before i found one but you will be happy when you don't half to modify it and it just slips right in...here is a pic of a full size wagoner ......check my build thread link below to see my Dana 44

 

ford 8.8

 

A lot of TJs came with a 44. You will have to cut off the link brackets and weld on spring perches and shock brackets but it's the same bolt pattern and width.

 

8.8 is a c clip axle and i dont want to take any chances. i didnt think the tj axle was the same width but ill take your word for it, thanks

 

the 8.8 is heavier and stronger than the xj 44...have you actually looked at the shafts before? you'd have to break one to have a problem. I believe ive read that the tj 44 is also weaker then the xj 44, since it uses the same tubes as the dana 35. Check into the isuzu 12 bolt, supposedly stronger than a 44 as well, wrong lug pattern though.

 

No, the TJ D44 rear axle is the same as an XJ D44, The front d44 (Rubicon) is another story.

Isuzu D44's are a good canidate if you aren't concerned about the bolt pattern not matching the front axle. One of the things I really like about the Isuzu axle is that it uses equal length shafts so there's no need to carry 2 different spare shafts.

 

alright thanks

 

hey frank, i know i read somewhere about the xj 44 being an upgrade for the wrangler...ill try to find the article. I know the front 44 in a rubi uses dana 30 tubes, so it is not that much of an upgrade.

here it is:
'A popular option for the new Jeep Wrangler is the Dana 44 rear axle. Fantastic? Maybe. The TJ uses the same axles (same Superior part number) as the XJ axle. Ron and Vance agree, however, that the TJ uses the same axle tubes in both the standard Dana 35 and the optional Dana 44. If true, the factory Dana 44 option for the TJ is not as strong as older 44s.'

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axle/xj_dana44_02/

 

I just picked up a 44 from a 71 Scout II 800b for 60 bucks. The width is about 3 inches shorter and the bolt patteren is 5 on 5.5 but some spacers/adapders will take care of that.
Heres the link to the build page of the 44 Im working on
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/project-71-scout-ii-dana-44-build-swap-40321/

 

The XJ 44 are considered light duty as are the TJ, not sure on tubes size though.

 

im thinking about picking up a 8.8? what do you have to change about it to get it on the XJ? I just got a new set of leaf packs for th rear, is everything still gonna fit?

 

You will need to change the spring perches and shock mounts and it's a bit narrower than what you have but you can run a spacer, some people just run an aftermarket wheel with a lot of offset and don't worry about it.

 

Oh and as with any axle you swap in, it's a good idea to weld the tubes to the housing. You will need nickle rods or if you use a mig, heat the cast till it's glowing otherwise the weld won't hold and will crack.

 

I posted that the waggy had an off center chunk......but i just saw a 198? grand wagonner and it had a center chunk and a driver side chunk in front .......I thought they were like the 79 Full size cherokee with bouth chunks off center to the pass side....... I think you could use a 80s waggy D44 but you would have to cut the tubes and move the spring plates