CADWELL

The question I have is, would I benefit in anyway if I swapped out my 1999's 3.73 D30 and C8.25 for 1987 D44 and D30 ?

Since I bought my rig, it's had a "grinding" or "friction" noise that seems to come from the rear end somewhere. I've replaced the diff fluid on both axles with no clear evidence of debris or shavings. It dosen't make the noise with the wheels of the ground or no load on the axle when I turn them by hand. I replaced the wheel bearings, but that wasn't the problem. Rather than tear it apart and replace the pinion and carrier bearings, if that's even where the noise is coming from, I'd almost rather roll the dice and buy used axles.

I have a line on a 1987 Pioneer with a D44 and D30, I'm just not sure what gears they have although they may be 3.54...Will these be a direct swap and is it worth doing the swap or should I just massage the C8.25 ?

xjmarc

The front would be a downgrade since it most likely has a 2 piece passenger shaft and smaller u-joints. The rear is an upgrade but not by much. The 44 has a good bit more aftermarket support and no c-clips. And they would bolt in pretty easily.

Lead Foot

The rear not built will handle up to 35s. Built it will handle about 37s. My 87 XJ had a single piece passenger shaft D30. Is your current dana 30 low pinion? If its high pinion then keep it and get the XJ44 only. If its low pinion, find a front axle without the vacuum disconnect (this one you are looking at may not have the vac disco); then put your axle shafts in that axle. The later d30s came with bigger u joint axle shafts.

CADWELL

I guess I was just excited to find an XJ44 that instincts told me to acquire it somehow LOL. Plus the current C8.25 on my rig probably needs rebuilt with need carrier and pinion bearings. I just keep reading to take it to a professional even if it's just doing bearings because it's basicly like setting up gears. My C8.25 has a Lock Right in it as well which is nice on the trail so I'd be giving that upgrade up if I swapped in the XJ44.

My '99 D30 has the HP.

The ONLY reason I considered doing the '87 D30 off the Pioneer with the XJ44 is for keeping matching gear ratios...If that XJ44 had 3.73 gears then that would be great, but I'd have to pull the cover and check it out.


Thanks for the responses fellas...

rawk krawler

I'd take them in a heartbeat, I swapped the exact same (89 d-30) and (87 d-44) into my 95. I'm locked front and rear with 33"s and 3.54 gears, I run a custom cable disco up front. I'm happy as a clam with my setup and I carry a few spare u-joints. I hammer my axles without fear.

CADWELL

Well I bit the bullet and picked up this 1987 Pioneer XJ Dana 44. It fraught me and I had to break the U bolts to get it out. It has 3.54 gears. Picked it up for $150 from the JY. it's got some surface rust, but should clean up pretty well.

IDK what I was thinking when I said I had 3.73 gears in my rig but I don't, it's geared at 3.55. The noise it's been making is driving me crazy and I'm not to crazy about the Lock Rite that the PO had installed. After doing some research, running a 3.54 rear with a 3.55 front shouldn't be a problem.

I plan on cleaning thie XJ Dana 44 and swapping it with the C8.25 with Lock Rite. If the swap goes smooth and the guts of the Dana perform better than the current state of my 8.25, then the 8.25 my be up for sale.

Anybody have any tips on doing the install?

Also plan on finding a rear disc swap once I do some research to see what vehicle I can get it from...