What year models did the XJ come with D44's up front? Is a swap from a D30 to a D44 up front worth it in a 98XJ? Is it just a swap or is there fabrication involved? I know it is late 80's for the D44 up front but exact years so I can look at the local jy for one if the swap is feasible. Thanks

 

you will never find one.

They were a rare option in some south american XJs. I have seen one for sale in the past 8 years or so surfing the xj sites and seen one. I think he wanted $1000 for it, and he got it.

It was just a 44 center with dana 30 outers too, nothing special.

 

It's all a myth.

 

What a myth the factory 44 or that they don't exist?

 

Indiana Jones in the search for the D44 in South America.

 

Maybe its at the bottom of a cave somewhere ....anyway if I can't find a 44 what's recommended to beef up the front axle?

 

i prefer ribeye. but really, this has been covered a million times. search.

 

I prefer ribeye as well medium rare, but I was hoping for a more "done" answer than "search"....but oh well search it is I guess!

 

i would start here.

 

I think I will stick with the D30....lol. Some folks make it sound easy but that guy put it into perspective.

 

So how do you tell if you have a high or low pinion D30? And what ratio is a good all around ratio to run?

 

you could always do this to your dana 30 http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...HybridAxle.htm

 

Look here the first pic is a d30 hp the second is a lp

 

Found these pics the one on the left is low pinion and right is high pinion.

 

If you have a '98 XJ as I do, you should have the HP 30, unless the previous owner swapped it for some dumb reason. my XJ, bone stock has the HP 30 and Chrysler 8.25 in the rear.