81620

I'm looking to upgrade my '92 XJ from the stock D35c to front/rear D44 from a late model Wagoneer. I think it'll work out alright, but the axle width on the D35 is (WMS to WMS) 60.75". Whereas the D44 axle width is only "58.4. Can I work around this shorter length?

BuckB91XJ

Either put 1" aluminum wheel spacers on both sides or just buy an aftermarket wheel with the correct negative offset to compensate.

81620

That sounds like a good idea. The fella I'm looking to buy the D44 from says that he thinks they're actually 62". I'm waiting till he gets home to find out for sure. I'll post the update when I know.

81620

So I have successfully installed a Dana 44 into my XJ. I found an original rear axle out of a Cherokee. Easy swap. I needed to replace some brake lines and replace the brake components and redrill a mounting hole for the brake tube mount on the driver side of the housing.
But now I'm concerned about the ratios. According to the Jeep Cherokee Wikipedia site the ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(XJ) ) the front ratio is a Dana 30, High Pinion, Reverse Cut, 27-spline axle shafts with a 355:1 gear ratio. But the rear is a Dana 44, non-abs, 30-spline axle shafts with a 354:1 gear ratio.
How much will the different ratio's affect my driving while off roading? And can I buy new gears with the proper ratio's and install them or do I need to buy a whole new front end?

BuckB91XJ

You can't even feel the difference between a 3.55 and 3.54 axle. You're talking 1/100th of a difference. those 2 axles with those 2 ratios will work fine together. I took a D44 rear from an 87 XJ and put it in my 91 XJ and it was literally a bolt in change.

DocOrng XJ

the only thing you worry about when it comes to different ratios is when its more than 1/1ooth in difference.
Alot of 4.10 ratios are actually 4.11 but the extra 1 is not enough that anyone worries about. So people just make sure they are "matching" 4.10/4.11 front and back and off they go.

For instance if you have a 3.07 & a 4.10 or 3.54 & 3.73 (or anything not within that +/- 1) then you got issues.
BUT not if you arent in 4wd, cause then they turn independently and it dont matter but the second you lock em together all hell breaks loose, literally.
So if you have 2wd/4wd select then its def not an issue. drive in 2wd and no worries when you need it 4wd it and still no problems.

I have a buddy who drove in 2wd with D30 3.07 upfront and a 8.8 4.10 in the back for 2 months before he was able to get the money and put in the new gears for the front. No issues the whole time. He just couldnt use 4wd. had he needed to, would of sucked for him.

trans_am7935

you will love that D44 in the rear, i have been wheelin mine with 4.56:1 gears, stock shafts, and a detroit lockers on 35" tires for 3 years now, and it holds up to any abuse i throw at it!

BuckB91XJ

Same here, D44, 4.56:1 gears, Aussie Locker, stock shafts and 33s...soon to be 35s. The rear axle is one piece I never worry about breaking.

81620

Great! I wont worry about it then. I knew that without it being 4wd it wouldn'd be a problem. But now I can rest at night. I'm new to jeeping, but I've always heard that the D44 was far better then the D35. So far I'm loving it.
Thanks for the input, fella's.