No i appreciate the input im just trying to gather some knowledge on the topic, just curious why people opt the d44 over 8.8 when the 8.8 has drums as well well the older ones

 

I'm not sure, I did a lot of research on axles before I chose the 8.8. I decided it was right for me because, the load ratings, the availability of parts, I chose to not go the LSD route and use a lunch box style locker, and the big thing was the disk brakes. I went to the junk yard and found an explorer with the axle code 45, opened the diff, and went over every inch of the insides before I took it.

 

you know you can always do the disc brake swap later.... it'll be 100% bolt on using explorer parts.

 

If you can do all the work your self the 8.8 is a better and stronger axle than a D44 by quite a bit, if you find one with the 31 spline shafts. Yes the disk brakes are way worth it, esp if you plan to run 35's. As for the axle you have in your post....it all depends on whats inside. I did some research and got the strongest 8.8 I could find with disk brakes, the whole swap cost my around $800 with the M.O.R.E offroad 8.8 swap kit and yoke.

Here is a link I found that may help: I think there is 51 pages of info!!

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=371713