hello,

a friend has a XJ and wants some stronger axles. what are the best/cheapest axles he cen install?
ford explorer 8.8? or chevy K5 10 bolt / 12 bolt?

i need all input and information you have.

thanks in advance.
nicolas-eric



btw thatīs his only a bit modified XJ:

is he just looking for stronger axles or is he looking for full widths?

-Kyle

yeah like kyle said, depending on what you want from the rig, theres a few options.

If he wants stock width, a set of d44s out of a jeep wagoneer will do you well, it keeps stock width basically, and has more heft. obviously you'll need to do perch-work and welding and such, a regear most likely as well.

whats his goal with the rig, tire size wise and axle width wise?

i'd personally stay away from the 10/12 bolts regardless.

10 bolts are garbage

12 bolts are halfway decent, but still not a worthy swap.

in my opinion these are the axles to run for 35-37" tires:

hp 44 front and 9" rear from a late 70's ford.

or 1980-1992 jeep wagoneer or j-10 dual dana44's (not vacuum disconnect)

the ford axles would be my first choice, but the jeep axles would be an easier swap.

both setups run similar strength (ford having the slight edge) but both combinations offer a great amount of aftermarket support.

anything beefier than that i have little knowledge of, all i can say is dana60's.

he only wants stronger axles.

in that case read Ktm's post, the HP 44 and the 9" are very nice axles for the XJ.

-Kyle

which could be why i listed some nice swaps using stronger axles.

everything discussed so far are stronger axles. unfortunatly there are a million ways to do it.....

[QUOTE=nicolas-eric;1268]hello,

a friend has a XJ and wants some stronger axles. what are the best/cheapest axles he cen install?
ford explorer 8.8? or chevy K5 10 bolt / 12 bolt?

i need all input and information you have.

thanks in advance.
nicolas-eric

k. lets say he's not going to go any bigger than 36's (37's at the most) I'd go with 95 and newer 8.8" out of a ford explorer. it is almost the same width (1" narrower) plus has disc brakes and the same bolt pattern as your jeep. and the u-joints will prob. be the same size. (if not it's a flanged pinion so finding the right yoke is a bolt on ordeal)

to install it you will have to re-locate the spring perches (need a grinder and a welder.)

for the front. - go with a dana 44 out of anything with a driver's side diff, also look into a Toyota front end (can handle 35's no prob) (if they are d/s diff? anyone?) If i had to find one i'd be looking to old cherokee\wagoners or international scouts.

personally I'm looking like eventually I'll be getting a 1 ton front end and modify it to width etc etc. I'm also reading up on building my own D60 with my own custom tubes and axle shafts. in any case - good luck.

If you don't already know, stay away from the ZJ 93-98 grand cherokee Dana 44's. They are crap. The center section is aluminum and weak. Another thing to think of is whether keeping the ability to use the same wheels that he already has. The 8.8 out of a explorer or mountanier has the same bolt pattern. The ZJ 93-98 grand cherokee does too.

There is always the adapter route. Meaning that he would have to also buy an adapter set, to change the new axle bolt pattern to the wheels he already has.

Holy thread bump Batman!

How is that a thread bump? I was answering the original question, presented by, nicolas-eric.

You went back 7 years to find it. That's odd. And you replied to it, hence the thread bump.

BTW, the ZJ you questioned never came with a 44 of any kind. The WJ on the other hand did.

Since this thread was already brought back up, I will respond to your incorrect statement.
Some ZJ's did have a D44a. The WJ also has a D44a.

Good to know. Wasn't aware of that.