Looks like a dana 44 to me and you have a 3.55 gear going by that metal tag.

i would assume it's from an xj. what's the bolt pattern? as far as i know, only the xj44 has 5x4.5 unless maybe scout or that other silly little 4x4, can't remember what it's called, but possibly they have same bolt pattern?

It has the normal keep bolt pattern. Only reason I thought it might have been a ford axle as the brake shows that fit were mid 80s ford shoes. Hopefully this week I will have time to do a little more research if the Google-fu stands up

Well I entered in the 10 digit code number and came up with a part number code for 8953005191 '86-87 Cherokee & Wagoneer 44 3.54 NL
So that gives me a bit more information. Further down the rabbit hole I go.....


Here is the web page I found in my search

ww.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Jeep_Axle_Info_and_Ratios.htm

Please take pics of the axle from further back.
Shock mount location and brakes.

My guess is it's a XJ D44

That wasn't a guess :tt2:.

It is an XJ dana 44. Don't listen to the parts guy comparing brakes that "look" like they match your brakes. Just pull up brakes for an '87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 4x4 and then he can find the correct brake shoes for that axle.

The XJ Dana 44 has 10" x 2.5" drum brakes.