Hey guys, so I just picked up a factory Dana 44 from an 87 Waggy. Has the huge drum brakes on it now, but they are kinda shot and missing a lot of the internal parts.

I'd love to convert to disc but can't seem to come up with any conclusive list of parts needed. From what I understand the TJ/LJ 44 and ZJ 44A are slightly different and require a custom machined retainer plate. Are there any bolt in parts? Or will it have to be modified regardless?

How about JK brakes? anyone have any experience with those? I know the lug pattern is different, but if the backing plate and caliper bracket work on the XJ 44, I should be able to use a TJ rotor to fit the lugs?

 

Waggy as in FSJ or XJ Waggy? If latter, there are aftermarket kits I know will work. Same with ZJ discs. There are minor mods for the ZJ discs.

 

ZJ brakes -

- Backing plate will need to be widened and the holes will need to be welded and redrilled to match the 44 bolt pattern.

- You will need an 03-06 Rubicon retaining plate. This will also need to be welded close and redrilled to match the 44 bolt pattern.

Other than that it's bolt on.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/52427_0001.htm

According to Frank at Seriousoffroad (although not confirmed) if you pull the backing plates off of a ZJ with a D44a (and not a D35) the bolt pattern will already match the 44s.

 

It's an XJ Waggy, but I'm gonna keep the drums, it has the huge drums, they should work fine after I rebuild them...besides, the parking brake on the disc setup is useless and I want it to hold the truck on the trail or on a hill with a trailer behind it.

 

I've heard that Ford 8.8 discs can swap over to 44s, but I don't know anything about that. I figured I'd mention it, might be worth it to look for that.

 

yeah but the bolt pattern is still different I believe.

Actually I did find all the correct parts would be from a TJ Dana 44, NOT the GC D44a. The 44a is a c-clipped axle and the bolt pattern is the same
As a d35.

So even though I'm personally gonna keep the drums, for future reference you guys can use ALL TJ Dana 44 parts, they are the same axle down to the bearing retainers and bearings.