96xjclassic

My Dana turdy-five is rapidly deteriorating. I want to swap it out for a jy one. While I'm at it I would like to upgrade to a Dana 44. I need some help though. I need to be sure I get the right one in addition to having 3.55 gears to mesh with my Dana 30. I've found them from places like car-parts.com. I found one shipped from south Carolina for $385. However I have no idea of the condition. At my local pick and pull, rear assemblies are $136. They also do not need to be shipped.
So here are my questions.
1) what am I looking for? Pics please.
2) how can I make sure it is geared to 3.55?
3) what else would I need ( parts wise) to complete this swap?
4) what besides the obvious should I expect when doing this swap? Advice?
Thanks in advance! 96xjclassic.

OOdynamite

1. You are looking for a Dana 44, google it for a pic.
2. It will say the gearing on the tag on the diff, it will also say some combo of "355" on the ring itself.
3. New u bolts, the 44 uses the sane size u bolts as the 35, but never reuse old u bolts.
4. I would snag the drive shaft from the doner jeep just incase, but as fare as I know, it's and unbolt the 35, and bolt in the 44 kinda thing.

96xjclassic

Good to know thanks. Will definitely try and grab the drive shaft. Will not reuse u-bolts. Are they that rare?

OnlyInMyXJ22

For the most part yes, as they only came in four model years with the tow package.

If you can't find one, I'd pick up a 29 spline 8.25 out of a '97-01.

96xjclassic

Definitely will be a great second choice. I'm going to search around for a 44 for a while. If I can't find one at the jy, does that $385. Sound high?

OOdynamite

Sounds high to me, considering it's not much better then an 8.25 29 spline (which I'll be putting under my rig next weekend... good bye D35!!).

Also, you don't reuse u bolts cuz they are designed to stretch, and are "dangerous" to reuse. Just get some new D35 u bolts, they will work.

crimsondragon

$385 shipped? That's actually a deal in my book. I sold a D44 for $400 and the guy drove to NJ from MA to pick it up.

Dankamusk

Here is a pic of mine with a new cover on it I picked up locally in washington with a new locker already intalled for 440. The u bolts on my dana 35c were to small for my 44 i had to get bigger ones. Other than having to get bigger u bolts It was a easy direct swap

Veeb0rg

I found a d44 on a xj wagoneer at hawkins point once. Went back to get it the next day with some friends and the whole damned rig had disappeared. I was crushed.

Unleashed

not a great pic but my dana 44 out of a 88 or 89 i forgot


and my old jeep with the dana 44

96xjclassic

I won't reuse the bolts. How much does a 8.25 run on average?

96xjclassic

$385.00 shipped. I would probably have to pick it up somewhere. It would be local though.

96xjclassic

Good to know about the bolts.Thanks. Nice 44, I'm jealous.

96xjclassic

Thanks for the pic veeborg. I'm just afraid when I get to the jy I'll have trouble finding the correct one. It's a lot of work to be wrong. Lol.

96xjclassic

Lucky. I'm going to keep jy hunting, for $136.00 for awhile. Then I'll give in and buy one already torn out.