MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

ok so I am ready to ditch the D30/D35 setup and I am wanting to build a set of axles. I am going from 32" to 35" tires soon so I want to be ready. I was thinking of going with the D44/8.8 setup geared 4.10 or 4.56 trussed, locked, chromo axle shafts. my question, is there a better setup I should be looking at? I am of the mind that if I am swapping them I would rather get it done right and not wish I had done something different. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated .........

XJlimitedx99

If your dead set on swapping axles then a HP d44/8.8 would probably be the best combo for that tire size. I'm not an expert on different axles but I think most 44s have a different lug pattern.

Here's my thoughts on this. I'm running 35s on stock axles and have no intentions of swapping them because I want the most clearance under my diffs as possible. When you swap those big axles in you lose a good bit of clearance under the diffs.

With a built 44/8.8 setup you could confidently run like 37s but I have no intentions of going that big and I really don't beat the crap out of my rig so I'm sticking with a built 30/8.25 setup. I hopefully plan to gear/lock/truss them eventually.

Atmos

I think the ford D44's are the perfect axles for XJ's. half ton lug patter/brakes, high pinion, with 5.13's and 65" wide is just right. a good match for the rear is a full width 8.8 but a lot of people fear those c-clips. so a 9" is another option but also has it's pitfalls (such as being waayyy too low pinion). they can be swapped in a reasonable fashion if you know how to fabricate and would be just fine on 35's. this of course will need to include full frame plates, a 3 link, and a cage in the near future.

if that sort of swap already sounds like too much then your best bet is definitely a built 30/8.25 combo. it'll handle what you're doing and you'll know when you're truly ready for an upgrade

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

so really what I was thinking was I want to run 35"s so I could eather regear or swap, would the D30/8.25 from the 99 automatic with its gear (3.55 I think) work for the 35"s? or would I need to re-gear them also ?

XJlimitedx99

Do you have a manual?

Those axles from an auto would be alright, but would still leave you wanting more. If you could find a hp30/29 8.25 pair from a 4cyl Cherokee it would have 4.10s which would be a lot better.

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

yes mines a 5speed and thanks for that info, so the 4cyl has 4.10's ? that's perfect. any particular years for those ?

Atmos

I believe all D30 from 4 cyl are 4.10 but the 4 cyl never came with an 8.25 (I think, someone chime in and correct me if that's wrong). so you'd end up with another D35

best bet is grab a 4.10 D30 and go get a junk yard ford 8.8
some of them already come with 4.10 gears, a limited slip, and disc brakes. that will be your best bet and your 5 speed will be pretty happy. a little spit shine and some decent ujoints up front, you've got yourself a stout setup for 35" tires

MY.92.2DR.PROJECT

So my next question is can I put a locker in the 8.8 with the limited slip? This is sounding like the rout I will wind up going

Atmos

no. you'll have to remove the limited slip completely and install either an open carrier and a lunchbox or a Detroit full case. I'm not sure if ALL 4.10 explorers also come with LSD. you'll have to check. but if it's a free LSD I'd leave it in there and lock your D30. upgrade later if needed

XJlimitedx99

I think you're wrong on this one. I looked at a 99 4cyl that had an 8.25 with 4.10s in it.

OP. Look for a 97-99.

Big David

I've seen one 98 that was a 4 cylinder & had the 8.25. But sadly it was a 2wd.
Also, the 8.8 came with 4.10 gears both open & LS. The open diff is axle code 42 & the LS is D2. The codes can be found on the drivers door.

Atmos

sweet!

now we're cookin. a little googling goes a long way

Big David

Yes it does. I can never keep the two straight.

xjmarc

Ford full width D44s are actually closer to 68" wide. My 8 lug version, which is a half ton version with 8 lug outters which makes it a tad over 69".
That being said it's a bit overkill for 35s. Just get a 8.25 rear and be done. No fab or anything required. For what it takes to put in a 8.8 you could get a better axle that doesn't have c-clips.

XJwonders

I once pulled a d30/8.25 with 4.10's from a '95 4 banger.

4 banger with automatic trans ll have 4.56. I saw it with my eyes once (it was for sale as complete vehicle, not at a junkyard)

Another thing to consider is a Dana 44 from a Isuzu rodeo is that it has factory 4.56 gears but it's a 6 lug.