I would like some input on a rear end swap I am thinking about, so here it is. I have access to a dana 44 out of a chevy 4x4 1/2 ton pickup mid 70 truck.
My question is will it fit in my 87 xj without major changes, like how wide is it, will the leaf spring mounting pads be the same distance apart or will I have to take off the old pads and add new ones?
Thanks any input on this will help.

 

isnt a chevy a passenger side drop?

EDIT: i dont read good. missed the rear part

 

You will have to do several modifications. First off the Chevy rear axle is considered a full width swap and will be much wider than the stock XJ axle. You will have to remount the spring perches and the shock mounts. The lug pattern will also be different so unless you swap the front axle also you will have to carry 2 spare tires.

 

i would think that it would be wider since its coming from a full size truck, so you probably would have to re-locate the spring perches and shock mounts. is it the same bolt pattern as the front (5 on 4.5)? does it have the same gear ratio as the front? the pinion may also be longer, so you might need a shorter driveshaft.

 

Chevy never used a rear Dana 44. They used 10 bolts, 12 bolts (both c-clip) Dana 60s, 14 bolts and HO72s also known as an Eaton. The last 3 are 8 lug and the first 2 are 6 lug for 4x4s and 5 for 2wd, don't remember lug pattern but it's bigger than a XJ.

 

x2 unless some one swaped in the dana into the chevy

 

Thanks guys, I did not think of the axle difference or the shock mounts. I am going to pass on the idea, the difference in gears and leaf spring mounts do not bother me those can be changed but the wider housing and different shocks do, and by the way the old chevy's did use dana rear ends I had an old 67 4x4 chevy half ton that had dana front and back. It was a rock solid truck with a granny low four speed manual, no power steering and a timkin rockwell all gear drive transfer case, man that thing could four wheel put I would not drive something like that now without the power steering it was a bear to steer in tight places. In my "more mature years the comforts of ac and power steering are nice":-)

 

Guess I was wrong but my 69 stepside sitting behind my dad's house has a 10 bolt rear.