I couldn't find anything on this, is a 2000 Grand Cherokee Rear axle -- Dana 44, Quadra-Drive w/ vari-lok --- is the width the same as my 1998 XJ ?? I have been looking to swap out my stock 8.1/4 with either an ford 8.8 or dana 44 ... kinda leaning toward the D44.

I know there are kits for the 8.8 for the swap out, anything I'll need for the D44 ?? If it fits ??

 

The WJ axle's bolt pattern is different, it's larger than your XJ's. It's only slightly wider than your 8 1/4". IIRC
It also has an aluminum center section. Gear choice is limited.

 

Grand Cherokee has a different style of Dana 44, which is a POS!!

 

the main problem with it is that the axle housing is aluminum. its decently strong but nothing like other d44's. the gear ration is probably 3.73 also. varivlock is ok at best. lug pattern is 5 on 5. If you 8 1/4 axle is 29 spline, dont bother switching to a d44, they are equally as strong as eachother.


edit-your 8.25 is 29 spline, d44 wont be an upgrade other than no c clips. go 8.8

 

Technically a D44 would be a slight upgrade as the axle shafts are a little thicker, but it is a pretty small difference and the slight upgrade is really not worth the hassle. the 29 spline 8.25 is a pretty good axle I have a friend who runs 36x12.5 TSL SX with beadlocks on his 8.25 with chromolly shafts and he has yet to break anything on the axle.

 

I wouldnt think the d44a would be an upgrade at all, even in the slightest. Maybe an xj d44 or any other d44. but not the d44a

 

You are correct Blue, I should have been more specific. An XJ D44 is only a slight upgrade. A ZJ D44a is not really an upgrade at all due to the aluminum housing. They do not hold up well to offorad abuse. I would never reccomend swapping a 29 spline 8.25 for a D44a.

 

I have a real D44 out of a 1987 Police XJ. Just sell me the rear disc brakes off of that Grand Cherokee D44c that you have, which is pretty much the only good parts on it. Then, take the money and gear, lock and put 29 spline axles in your ChryCo 8.25 and go wheeling!!!

 

My wifes 93 sport has an 8.25 and it has an factory locker. But like buck said the disc brakes on that 44 are the only good parts. I twisted one of my 44 shafts so i upgraded to G2 shafts. Still wanting to do the disc swap though so if buck don`t want those discs, I do lol

 

I ran my rear stock 8.25 29 spline with a locker and 4.56 gears on 35" mtrs for a while and beat on it decently without any issue

 

Ok .. I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet ... I was just mulling over some options ... 8.8 ...D44 ... or keep the 8.25 ... thanks for the input!!

 

What tire size are you running and how hard are you going to wheel on it

 

Right now I'm on 31's with 3.5 lift ... but I plan on going with a 6.5 IRO lift, 35's and 4.88's with a locker and when I can save up some more cash get a Air Locker for the front. I was mulling over doing disk brake conversion and cromy axels ... but was told by a few people that the 8.25 are crap and not to invest $$ into them .... thats why I posted the question .... it just so hard to find a D44 that will work. The 8.8's (most) already come with **** brakes ...

 

The thing is I had a 29 spline 8.25 and changed it to the D44 geared and locked it running 35's but then I did some research and a lot of people say there is no point of changing from the 29 spline 8.25 to a Dana 44 unless your getting the Dana 44 for dirt cheap price because it's hardly a upgrade. From a 8.25 to a 8.8 is worth the upgrade if you can do it but from 8.25 to 44 not worth it in my opinion

 

It all depends on what your future plans are. From what I've read of your plans, I'd keep the 8.25 and spend the money somewhere else. Build the whole jeep up together rather than spending all your money on a rearend, then having to wait a year to do something else.