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best axle swaps

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Old Jul 7, 2017 | 04:40 PM
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Default best axle swaps

'91 XJ - want to install stronger axle assemblies
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Old Jul 7, 2017 | 09:01 PM
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How strong
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Old Jul 7, 2017 | 09:37 PM
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The D30 up front can be made to handle some abuse. The 8.8 is an easy swap if you have the D35 out back.

That's what I am running w/ 33s. I don't beat mine, and it is holding up well.
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Old Jul 7, 2017 | 11:09 PM
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8.8 is an easy swap in the rear, the ford 9" is stronger but much more effort to swap in

The front, the Wagoner Dana 44 is probably the most popular on the XJ
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Old Jul 8, 2017 | 01:29 AM
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We need to know tire size you want to run,And how you want to use the jeep.
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Old Jul 9, 2017 | 02:17 PM
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Wagoner 44 upfront what years would work in my XJ?
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 12:40 AM
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81-91 but its not really much of a upgrade,Its low pinion and its 6 lug and not a bolt on deal either.For the time and money a axle swap takes its worth going 1 tons.The stock dana 30 can handle 35s if built up and that dana 44 is only good to 37s built.While a dana 60 is good to 44s if built up.
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 05:10 AM
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Probably 35's and set up for multi use. What I mean is in Oregon we have lots of mud and trails. I want to be able to do some rock crawling and snow runs in the mountains during the winter.

Thanks
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 09:56 AM
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I run stock D30 and the Chy 8.25 in the rear both with stock axles with 33 & 35" tires locked 4.56 gears. Have never broken an axle in either but carry spares if needed.

The Chy 8.25 as about equal in strength to a D44 plus a direct bolt-in. 35" tires are the max for stock units and off road use.
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 02:47 PM
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best axle swap - spidertrax housings with gearworx diffs


best for a Cherokee? Stock. don't change a thing just beef them up the D30/8.25/8.8/44 combo is perfect
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 02:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Grandpa's helper
Probably 35's and set up for multi use. What I mean is in Oregon we have lots of mud and trails. I want to be able to do some rock crawling and snow runs in the mountains during the winter.

Thanks
keep your D30. As Andrew stated the waggy 44 is pretty much total s**t as are most D44 front axles (if not all)
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 08:40 PM
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We have a lot of members running the same combo as Fred and never have problems.
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Old Apr 22, 2021 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by andrewmp6
We need to know tire size you want to run,And how you want to use the jeep.
I want to run 33’s. Maybe 35’s in the future. I’m curious as to what my best axle and gear choice would be. I plan on using it as a daily but also take it off road every weekend or so. I see a lot of guys running D 44’s and 8.25’s but I don’t know too much about axles and gearing,any help would be appreciated
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Old Apr 22, 2021 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 97Cheroke
I want to run 33’s. Maybe 35’s in the future. I’m curious as to what my best axle and gear choice would be. I plan on using it as a daily but also take it off road every weekend or so. I see a lot of guys running D 44’s and 8.25’s but I don’t know too much about axles and gearing,any help would be appreciated
I am running 35s on a Stock Dana 30 and Chyrsler 8.25 with 4.56 gears and Spartan lockers and it has held up fine.
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Old Apr 22, 2021 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 00t444e
I am running 35s on a Stock Dana 30 and Chyrsler 8.25 with 4.56 gears and Spartan lockers and it has held up fine.
thank you,glad to see this thread is still a little active. Currently looking for another XJ since I cracked the block in mine. I’m looking for a 99. Probably gonna throw on 33-35’s and try and find that rear end. And if I throw in lockers will they be fine to daily with? I heard some are squeaky
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