MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

So i found an 87 xj d44 rear axle and i just need to know if it is a direct bolt in to my 92 ? If not thats fine i am willing to do some fab work if necessary, also the point of the swap is to get rid of the current d35 so any input on if this is a good swap or not? Thanks in advance for any help !!!!!!

Bluemax

Im not sure about the brakes, but it should be a direct bolt in.

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

i am planning on doing a disc break swap before it gets bolted up so if that is it then i am very excited

andrewmp6

I think you will need different u bolts and maybe the spring plate they bolt to and not sure on driveshaft length between the two.

XJwonders

Dana 35 and Dana 44 have same size axle tubes. Driveshaft length will be different.

The brake hose and emergency brake lines will bolt in.

gpXJ

Everything will bolt right up. The only issue you will have is driveshaft length. The snout on the d44 is longer than the d35 (but very similar to the 8.25). You can pull a junkyard shaft from an XJ with an 8.25 rear axle and it will work fine (this is what I did when I swapped my d35 for an XJ 44). The brake and emergency lines bolt right up. I ran mine like this for the last 2 years, and am, as we speak, doing the disc brake swap with 8.8 parts.

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

well this is great news !!!!!! thanks for all the help. any down sides to the d44 swap ?

gpXJ

There is no downside at all from switching from a d35 to a d44. There really is no downside to the dana 44 so long as you are going to keep the tire size reasonable (37" or less). It's a solid, stout axle that should give you trouble free operation for years to come. The only negative I can see is, that replacing wheel bearings/seals requires a press since they ride on the shaft as opposed to just sitting in the end of the axle tubes. But that is also arguably a good thing, since the axle is a semi-float design, meaning even if you snap a shaft, the retainer is still bolted to the housing keeping the axle from just walking out (like you would get with a c-clip axle such as the d35, 8.25 and ford 8.8).

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

im only going up to 35's im really in no hurry so i plan on keeping it on the work bench and installing locker, new seals, disk brakes, and possibly chromo axle shafts before install so again, "THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!" thanks for all the info

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

so i got the d44 it has3.55gears. my front d30hp has 3.07 so what i need to know is do i need a new carier in the d30 to regear to 3.55 ?

peligro113

no you only need a new carrier if going 3.73 or higher, since you want 35's I would regear to at least 4.56 or 4.88.

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

yup. i was just sitting here thinking " might as well regear both to 4.56 and be done with it"

scbrooks87

Maybe post some pictures as you go through the axle build. Especially if you plan to do the gears/lockers yourself! Good snag on the D44 man, you'll love it!

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

i plan on it !!!! Thanks man. Axle build thread coming soon....

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

So i am thinking that im not going to the 35's until next summer, currently on 32's so my question is if i go to jy and pull a d30hp out of a late 90's automatic can i just swap the 3.55 ring, pinion, carrier over to my current axle that i have already built. I have drilled the knuckles and installed ruffstuffs 1ton steering cut of sway bar brackets relocated my track bar. Ect....i dont wat to have to re do all that again