with the 8.8 so plentiful and cheap. there is really no reason to go d44 anyore imo. stronger axles, and disc brakes. all you have to do is flip the perches.

as far as what locker, for cheap, i would also go lunchbox in rear. i had an aussie in my xj on super swampers and it still did well in bad weather. for the front, i would not put a lunchbox if there is ever a chance you will use it in 4hi on ice/snow.

truetrack for the front or selectable is the best choice, but more $$.

 

xjbaldy

What year did the rear axle you have come out of?

 

The 8.8 is not bolt in, a lot of people can't weld, or weld good enough to trust holding it under the weight of the vehicle, 8.8 is a good axle. but disk brakes aren't worth the money to pay for someone to weld the perches/shock mounts on if they can't weld them self's. Not everyone needs the 8.8....

D44 and 8.25 are easy bolt in. D44's are over priced and not much better if any then the 8.25 (29 spline) But go for the same/close to the 8.8 before welding cost, and re-gearing the front/rear to match it (if it doesn't match), where as the 8.25 is easy to find a match, saving more money for people who wont ever push the limits of the axle. People think the 8.8 are worth gold like the D44. both over rated for the cost IMO.

LSD's suck off-road, may as well be an open diff with the e-brake pulled 3-4 clicks lol.

 

^^but with a better aftermarket support network, i think the D44 is WAY better than the 8.25

 

That's true! I love my D44's, and I would recommend them to anyone. thats why I suggested one But a lot of people think they are worth $300-400 for a stock one, which seams over priced to me when you could get a 29 spline for half that. Lets be honest here, not many people on here will actually need more then a 29 spline 8.25.

 

^^on here, yes i concure. but i just cant wait to build up my xj D44 i just bought on sunday

 

Nice, the D44 parts are cheap, comparatively speaking that is.

 

true that, spools are really cheap too, which i like more in the rear

 

I love my spartan

 

agreed. for someone who can't weld, the 8.25 is probably the best option. but if you are thinking of a d44, dont waste your money, and go w/the 8.8.

d44s here, go for $300-400. 8.8 at the jy is $130 after tax. pay someone $100 to weld the tubes and flip the perches and youre into it at almost half the price. plus the lockers for the 8.8 are usually cheaper. when you go to bigger tires, disc brakes are DEFINITELY worth the extra cost. they would do a much better job stopping my 34" swampers than the drums did on my 31s.

 

maybe u just need to adjust ur rear drums, personally, i love drum brakes, not sure why everyone hates them, they last pretty much the live of the jeep once u do them and if the are adjusted right, they will stop just as good as rear disc. plus if ur guna spend the money just having it be able to fit in a xj, you might as well get a D60 or 9in, and then know that you would never break them

 

The same can be said about the D44 found in the JY.... Ive never had a problem with my drums holding/stopping me. most people don't keep up on adjustments.

 

It came out of a 97 4 cyl, the only reason I had it swapped in was because of the gears.

 

97 should be a 29 spline. best to crack it open and make sure before you buy the locker as your not 100%. I would just leave it if its a 29 spline.

 

not to thread hi jack, but how does an aussie or really any lunchbox locker do in the snow? I am a mouse click away from ordering one for myself. It seems worth the $309 price tag.