My dad has a Dana 44 rear end with an ARB Locker and 4.56 gears out of a '97 TJ. I measured the difference and I believe there is a 2 inch difference in width. (If I measured correctly) Does the 2 inches make a big difference or would this be ok the install into my Cherokee?

 

It should be the same width and you prob wouldn't notice 2" unless you run stock rims.

 

I run the stock 15 inch rims. What would make the difference so apparent?

 

I just bought DC45 axle shafts from superior for an 87 cherokee dana 44. The shaft is the same for the TJs also. That tells me they are the exact same length shafts and therefore axle.
http://www.superioraxlegear.com/disc...c-p-10830.html

 

I mentioned rims because if it was narrower and you were running stock rims you take the chance of rubbing the leaves and inner fender wells.

 

Isn't a 97 TJ coil sprung rear? And didn't the TJ use the same crapy Aluminum D44 the ZJ did?

 

Yes it is coil in the rear so I am going to cut off those mounts and put on some leaf mounts. The 44 my dad has is from Dynatrac its not stock

 

TJ was not aluminum like some ZJs, I say some cause not all are aluminum. The TJ version is the same as the XJ version with different mounts. Dynatrac is the s*&^.