2001XJdriver

How hard is it to swap in a dana 44 into the front of an 01 Xj?
I've been thinking about getting one but am unsure on how to swap it in.

rweaver138

you've got some work ahead of you.. it takes some fabrication/welding skills and alot of time/effort/money. im in the beginning stages of the swap right now.

if your not on pirate or NAXJA i suggest you make a username over there so you can search as there are some GREAT threads that detail 44 swaps into XJ's.

or you could do a google search site: naxja.org/pirate4x4.com

rweaver138

heres some sites i've saved during my 44 research:
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=993467<-- Starboards build on NAXJA one of the best i've seen lots of detail
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=907435
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44.htm <-- Mr. N's dana articles, good stuff
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=101344
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=101344 <-- link to show what your 44's out of
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=961463
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=961463 <-- like 30 helpful links

2001XJdriver

I'll have to check those out. So you think it'd be easier just to upgrade the 30 upfront?

rweaver138

easier? yes
worth it? we could go on for days

what are your end goals? a well built 30 (truss, full case locker, alloys, 760's, etc...) can handle up to 35's pretty well

sandaddik2

if you have to ask, i think you are better off building the 30, and if it still isnt what you want then sell it and learn how to put in the 44

a dana 30 will work for 99.5% of people on this forum

2001XJdriver

35's would be the end goal but thats years away. I've been thinking about a locker and some new shafts and basically refurbish the underneath its startin to get worn out.

rweaver138

agreed

i'd say you'll be fine running a beefed up 30.. and if its not enough for you then in the meantime build a 44, then sell your pimped out 30 and make some money back

2001XJdriver

what're some good things to beef it up with?

rweaver138

Truss, full case locker (ARB, detroit,) alloy shafts, full circle 760 spicer u-joints, aftermarket diff cover

Chevokeeman

I put a hi-pinion Dana 44 out of a Ford P.U. under mine, I cleaned all brackets off the axle tubes and bought a Rubicon Express bracket kit, did the measuring and setting pinion angle and welded the bracketry on, works great for me, also put Auburn "Ectid" Locker and 4:56 gears and Warn hubs make it extremely effective off road and the hubs increase the mileage on road by disengaging the inner parts from turning. Chevokeeman.

alloutperform

i've got a 9"/d44 combo in the works for mine........ballistic fab sells the mounts to weld on the housing for the xj suspention..nice stuff....i'm waitin on mine right now.....however i have not broken either axle but i'm planning on it and want these waiting in the wings