Hello All,

I have a 92 XJ 4.0 5spd. 2WD with a 35C rear end. I was wondering what would be the best Rear End upgrade? Would a Dana 30 or 44 bolt right in with no modifications?

 

you would want to use the 44 outta those two, but you could use the 8.25 29 spline axle out of a cherokee. either the 8.25 or a d44 outta a cherokee should bolt right in i believe. u could also use the 8.8, but im unsure if its a direct boltin or not.

 

dana 30 is a front axle. if you can find a good deal on a 44 then go with it, but a 8.25 is pretty solid. i think an 8.8 would require modification but i'm not entirely sure.

 

As was said, the Dana 30 is the front axle in the Cherokee.

A 29 spline Chrysler 8.25 axle out of a 97+ Cherokee would be the easiest option. It will bolt in directly, only requiring a new driveshaft. A Dana 44 would be just as easy to install, but is usually much harder to find, the C8.25 is much more common. It also depends on what you want to do, as they are fairly close in strength, but the D44 has much more aftermarket options. The Ford 8.8 axle is a good strong axle with good aftermarket, but is not a direct bolt in part. You have to remove the factory spring perches and shock mounts and weld on replacements to work in the Jeep, so unless you're pretty confident on your cutting and welding skills, it's not an easy option.

I recently put a C8.25 out of a 2000 in my 1991 Cherokee because the D35 was about to die, and it really wasn't all that bad. Basically a 1 day project. The only things I replaced parts wise was the rear brake line, the driveshaft, and the U bolts. You have to get a driveshaft from a 8.25 equipped Jeep because the D35 shaft is too long. We also went ahead and put in fresh gear oil while we were messing with it.

 

the d35 is better than the d30 why go lower?? so yes go with the d44


actually save your money and get D60's :] haha i need some

 

what would you be aiming to get it out of, i'm getting a d44 from an 86 xj, direct bolt in and the best part its only $90 a steal

 

Thanks for all the info. I just want a stronger rear end. I don't want to worry about a weak one that will break if I'm out in the middle of the desert trailing around. If I can find a D44 for a low price, I think I'll go with that one. The junkyards where I live seem to have a lot of XJ's laying about. Thanks all. Cheers!!

 

damn thats a good deal

 

The D35 is in no way better than the D30. Aside from the fact that one is for the front and the other for the rear, the D30 is a very depnedable axle. As long as it is a high pinion, non vac disco, with the larger u-joints it will handle nearly anything the standard off road driving can throw at it. That is of course keeping in consideration the tire size, gear ratio, and how heavy the drivers foot is. Even the vac disco D30s withsmall u-joint are plenty adequate for most needs during trail use.