So I am still planning for everything I want to achieve with the XJ.... I know that I am gonna want to run 35's soon, so with an 8.25 and d30 im thinking that I should go ahead and plan on d44's.... So my question is if there is a particular set of 44's that are more highly sought after than others, and why???? I know that late 70's fords were called "high boys" and had higher pinion angles, so would those be ideal??

Thanks for the info!

 

http://www.littlekeylime.com/MrN/index.htm

 

I wouldn't bother changing the rear axle. A 29 spline 8.25 built is as strong as a built 44 in the rear do a disc swap and keep the 8.25.

 

I have a 94 XJ, and I am being told that the 8.25 in this year isnt as strong... so it would seem almost just as easy to upgrade both axles at the same time if my 8.25 really needs work to handle 35's...

 

You have 27 spline shafts.
You can upgrade to 29 spline shafts but you'll need a new carrier.

Perfect time to add a full case locker.

 

Regear too. I have a 29 spline 8.25 with a Detroit tru-trac and chromoly shafts. I have no worries about strength and it is incredible for a DD. It has saved my *** coming into traffic sideways more than once because someone changed lanes without signaling and it was a bit wet.

 

A ford highboy is a ford truck 77 back that had a factory 4 inch lift,It had nothing to do with it having a high pinion axle most didn't.And rear in that truck is a 9 inch or a dana 60 ford never used a dana 44 rear in a full size truck.If you want dana 44s that are close to stock width jeep wagoneer 1980 and newer,The rear a isuzu rodeo dana 44.Both will be 6 lug and both take welding to install them.I wouldn't bother with full width axles unless i went 1 ton aka dana 60 front and a 14 bolt full float rear.

 

Serious is correct as are the others no real advantage of a D44 in the rear over a 29 spline 8.25 other than lots of options for them.


As also noted I run a D30/Chy 8.25 29 spline with a full case Detroit Locker front and rear. Both have stock axles, I do carry spares for both but to date haven't broken a single one "yet" even after going with the 35's for off use only. I do go easy on the skinny peddle and pick my lines most important I have a winch and know when I should use it as my wife and I wheel alone 95% of the time.


When/if I start having any issues with the D30 I will upgrade as needed with bracing, axles, etc.

 

that's a decently significant advantage. also semi float which is great

dana 44's are expensive. super expensive to make them worth a crap, my buddy just broke 2 chromoly stubs (suspected manufacture default on one of them). expect to have $2000 into the front axle in no time. I wouldn't build one unless it had RCV's and the works. rear would have to be a 9" (not messing with any waggy axles or chevy 44 fronts low pinion sucks)

but if you're willing to drop the coin and build a sweet rig you're going to be exceedingly happy on the trail and driving there and back with lockouts. If your budget is more like $1500 total on 35" tires you best stick with D30/8.25 combo. you can flog that setup hard and be just fine

 

[QUOTE=Atmos;3166774]
also semi float which is great


What do you mean by this? Both the 8.25 and the 44 are semi float rears and both the 30 and 44 fronts are full float.

 

Unless you find a bolt in 44s are over rated. Otherwise an Explorer 8.8 is the same amount of work, it's stronger, has the right bolt pattern, and you get disk brakes.

Either that or narrow down some 1 tons. 44 isn't much stronger than an 8.25.

 

8.8 is the same amount of work?
How so?

 

beats me

 

I said if it's not a bolt in. Only said that because the OP asked about 44s from stuff other than XJs.

 

A D44 is a great upgrade. The aftermarket support alone makes it a no-brainer.


8.8 is not a bad choice, but it has it's short-comings as well.