Metlic53

got a dana 44 for the 97 XJ cuz the 8.25 got water in it and ate up a pinion bearing and im not replacing another one in that thing. my question is, I have the 44, i'm in the process of cleaning it up right now and putting new stuff on it, will i need anything extra to get it in there? Basically is there anything i need to buy that i don't already have or does it go right up in there with no changes of anything?

xjmuddigger

it should just bolt right up,drive shaft may be different lengths

Metlic53

thank you, I appreciate it

84zmyfavorite

Make sure that your front axle has the 3.55 gear ratio. The Dana 44 you have(assuming it is out of a Cherokee) will have 3.54 gear ratio, not the 3.55 ratio, but thats ok, .01 to .02 differance between front and back axle ratios is ok. Good luck. Ive got a Dana 44 rear axle in my 87 Cherokee, and another Dana 44 out of a junkyard Cherokee resting in the bed of my Toyota since last November. The 320 Lbs of weight made for good traction in the snow with said Toyota.

caged

you may need new u-bolts. good idea to use new, even if your old ones are the right size.

and yeah, driveshaft length may be an issue.

other than that, it's bolt in. double check the gear ratio.

Metlic53

yep the ratio is 3.55 on dana 30 and 3.54 on the 44, i checked with my dad (mechanic) earlier today. yeah, i loaded it in the bed of a truck by myself and carried it to the end of my driveway twice to pressure wash and wire wheel the thing, my back hurts!

alright, i'll get some u-bolts, gonna SYE the jeep so hopefully the driveshaft fits, if not, i'll figure it out.

Thanks for the INFO!