This is my first post here.

I'm looking to upgrade that turd front axle on my 2000 XJ. I would really like to pick up a 44. But am confused as to what year of waggy i need to look for. Also isnt the 44 narrower than the 30? I'm not too knowledgeable with the axles and am not really sure where to start.

Advice would be appreciated!

 

1 post? writing that you "heard" something about the swap? (its wrong btw). search.

why do you want to swap? up to 35s are fine on stock axles.

 

yup what he said

 

What they said. What are you doing that requires a swap? If you are set on a waggy D44, you need a 1980 or up so the diff is on the driver side, and you want to look out for the vacuum disconnect version. You can spot the vacuum disconnect by the big ugly box connected to the pumpkin. You don't want that. And the waggy D44 I believe is very slightly narrower, but by so little it is insignificant. But since they are all low pinion, many argue it is hardly an upgrade. A high pinion from a late 70's ford is more desireable, but the widths do not match up. You have to go full width or have it narrowed to waggy width.
There is a ton of info on several sites about this very swap. But we could probably recommend something more suitable if we knew what your goal is as far as tire size, wheeling terrain/style, etc.

 

I'm currently running 35's. Mostly climbing as far as wheeling style goes.

Many guys with 35's I see running an hp30 with a truss. As with anything else, ive also read that putting a tuss and building an hp30 is worthless and you'd be better off putting the money into a stronger axle.

 

Wtf is climbing? A full case locker and full axle truss is fine for a D30. If you're a full throttle pin it to win it kind of guy then putting money in a 30 is dumb.

 

What rear end do you have now?Most cases i see people breaking the rear first if they break the front its from jumping or landed hard off a big rock.If money is no problem currie will build you a bolt in high pinion dana 44.Or something like this http://shop.rp4wd.com/product/axles-4 and build it up.

 

what is climbing? also are you locked? front or rear? what size tires are you PLANNING to run? and are you aware how expensive a 44 front swap is?

 

Rockwell axles, go big or go home lol

 

I also have a 2001 XJ. I got a HP out of the JY from a 98 XJ and bought 4.10s and truetracs for front and rear. I have a 4.5" lift and 32"s and ive mobbed my jeep pretty hard on the LP form crawling to jumping to mud on my worthless 3.07s and never had a problem. The 30 IMO is stronger than a lot of people say. My 30 in my YJ on 33"s ive beat the crap out of too with 4.56s and never had a problem either. Just go with a HP 30. you get a better driveangle and such.

 

holy wow... cool concept I guess but anyone with slightly above average fab skills could build that themselves...

 

D30 will work fine ride it till it breaks, or just buy my cherokee I haven't had a problem with mine locked with 35s (hp sleeved with chromos)

 

really guys.. really?

 

What? Like hill climbs? I

 

When y'all say waggy d44 you are talking about the fsj wagoners yes ? Not a xj right a?