Well ive been lookin to buy a built HP d44 and found a nice deal!! The one thing that may be a problem is that its 65.5" wms to wms,, while my rear ford 8.8 is 59.5 wms to wms.

Its a D.D. as well as the weekend warrior,, SO how do u guys think this would work out?? I would have to put adaptors in the rear to move to 5 on 5.5 so that would make the rear a bit closer to the front.

SO, whatcha think,, yes or no??

My XJ info,, 4.88's,, 8.8 rear w/ARB,, front HP d30 w/aussie,, 1 ton steer etc etc. 6.5" of lift and rolling on "brand new" 35 baja claws.
I have NO plans to go any bigger then this so my XJ build is a good 3/4 done.

Oh, and this axle is Loaded, matching gears, locker, etc etc.

 

You could pick up a set of steel rims with a healthy amount of backspacing to help even it out. Do you have beefed up aftermarket axel shafts in the 30? I've seen many a guy turn 35's on a weekend trail rig/ DD with a set of aftermarket heavy duty style shafts.

 

Since your existing axles are already partially built up, I would just stick a little more money into that D30 and get some chromoly shafts and such. That axle will hold up fine to 35's. If you do still want to upgrade the front and not rear, then yes just getting spacers will help out...the offset difference won't be that noticeable. You could just swap in a Dana 44 and a Ford 9" in the rear as well, but with the money put into the current axles, I myself would just build them up a little more.

 

what is the d44 out of? most early 44's only have a 260 u-joint anyways. only thing is you'll be getting bigger shafts.

if your d30 is the non-disco type, you likely have or easily can have larger joints like the 297 or 760's.

you could go with chromo shafts, that will help, but with a locked 30 on 35's, you'll break joints every day. i do. lol.

in my opinion, i'd get the 44 and slowly build it up. you may be able to sell the 30 and recoup some of your spent money.