TJ Front Axle Assembly

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Aug 10, 2018 | 06:50 PM

Rlmx

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Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 325

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From: NW OH

Year: 1991

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0L L6 OHV 12V

TJ Front Axle Assembly

Will it bolt right into an XJ? I have read that the TJ Dana 44 is a good upgrade for an XJ. But how many mods are required?

Aug 10, 2018 | 11:45 PM

4.3L XJ

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 6,588

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From: Chico, CA

Year: 1986

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system

None, it will bolt right in except the U joint may be a larger size, Spicer 1330 as opposed to our 1310. Change the yoke and that will take care of it

Aug 11, 2018 | 07:59 AM

Rlmx

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Seasoned Member

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 325

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From: NW OH

Year: 1991

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0L L6 OHV 12V

Thanks!

Aug 15, 2018 | 09:00 PM

Rlmx

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Seasoned Member

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 325

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From: NW OH

Year: 1991

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0L L6 OHV 12V

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ

None, it will bolt right in except the U joint may be a larger size, Spicer 1330 as opposed to our 1310. Change the yoke and that will take care of it

After more reading... it appears that the Dana 44 from the TJs is a bastardized version. From an article about the Regular TJ vs the Rubicon “Then let's talk axles. The Dana 44s are really more like Dana 39s. They don't have the 1/2-ton strength that a Dana 44 should have. The front axle shares more parts with a Dana 30 than a Dana 44...”

Looks like my dream of a Dana 44 front axle is squashed!

Aug 15, 2018 | 09:18 PM

4.3L XJ

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 6,588

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From: Chico, CA

Year: 1986

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system

That is correct. They have D44 pumpkin and D30 tubes which are adequate for an XJ. The larger pumpkin was added because the selectable locker front and rear places tremendous pressure on the gears and 30 spline axles would be standard

Aug 15, 2018 | 09:35 PM

00t444e

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Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 3,636

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From: Southern OH

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee(XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Plus the Dana 44 has a larger gearset so you can run lower gears without the pinion being to small. Ever seen the size of a 4.88 pinion for a Dana 30, it's about the same size as the shaft. If you want to run 4.88 or lower gears then the Dana 44 would be worth it in my opinion. If you stick with 4.56 or higher then I would keep the Dana 30.