Currently my 98 Cherokee has a Dana 30 front, and Dana 35 rear (both open diffs). There is a guy locally who has a Chrysler 8 1/4 rear from a Cherokee and a Dana 44 rear from a Commanche for sale. Both rear are under $200 (so I'm sure they'll need brakes and probably seals), but I don't the ratios in them or if they're Open or Limited-Slip.

I was wondering if either of these options are worth buying, freshening up, and installing in my Cherokee and lose the 35, or just lock the 35 and get an 8.8 for if I break it? lol. Is the 44 worth changing the spring mount locations? Is there anything else I'd need to do to fit either of these axles?

Thanks for everyone's opinion in advance!

 

44 is def worth it. I personally don't like the 8.8, don't see the point in doing all that work for a c-clip axle and loss of ground clearance. If the 8.25 is a 97 or later it has 29 splines and is good for a 35" tire stock.

 

I'd go with 8.25 if its a 29 spline. Then toss on the ZJ rear disc.

 

I would go with the 8.25 it's a direct bolt on and is comparable to the d44.

 

can you fabricate? go with the 44
can't fabricate, and the 8.25 is 29 spline? go with the 8.25
8.25 is 27 spline? go with the 44

 

Thanks for the opinions guys. Looks like I have a few things to look into with these axles. I figured either one would be better than my stock Dana 35 and would be better to buy/install now rather than wait till after I did more to the 35.

 

What fabrication do you need to throw in the d44 and what other makes and/or models of vehicles have d44 that would fit XJ with out much fab. besides the MJ.

Also will the d44 take the ZJ brakes with out much fabrication?

 

he said the 44 is out of an MJ, therefore it would be set up for spring under axle, whereas XJ's are sping over axle. You would need to cut off the leaf perches and have new ones welded on. The only 44 that would bolt in would be off of an XJ of course, you can also find d44's on waggys and scouts, amongst others.

and the 44 can take the ZJ brakes and explorer 8.8 brakes with some modification to the retainer plate

 

i like the run the 35 til it breaks then get an 8.8,

youll get all your use out of the old one and the 8.8 is stronger than the chrystler or dana 44 axle plus youll have disc brakes with the 8.8 if you get the right one

 

What fabrication do you need for the 8.8 to fit into an xj and what do you mean get the right one?