I recently had my rear dana 35 pinion gear get screwed up and originally was just going to put a new pinion in. I found a sterling 10.25 for sale for $100 that looks to be in good condition. I was wondering if this would be way overkill on my xj? I have 4.5 inches of lift and eventually going a bit bigger. And 35" tires eventually in the future. My second question is how easily would it be to hook my drive shaft up to it because it most likely takes a larger U-joint? Would I have to have a driveshaft custom made? Or would it be easear to do A sye on my transfer case and just get a larger yoke to be the same size as the one on the differential side and get a drive shaft that fits them both? Any opinions about the sterling or the feasibility of the swap would be appreciated.

 

Full-width, little overkill for 35's, and a bit of fab just to name a few.

 

Those pumpkins are huge and lack ground clearance, also you have to think of the correct lug pattern, matching it with the front axle, blah blah blah...IMO just get a 29 spline 8.25, or a Dana 44...either is a good axle and will hold up to 35s just fine. Lots of fab work with the sterling, but then again, it would be totally different. Gotta think about gear ratios too...lots of stuff man.

 

^x2, i just pickup my self up a D44, and have beaten the crap out of it all day long! stock shafts and spicer gears, cant go wrong. also go a Detroit locker in there for traction "assistance".

 

I would like to go full width and way in the future or when I get a high enough lift I may go up to a 37" tire. All the dana 44's I have seen have been pretty expensive and does anyone know if there are full width 44's?

 

i think the only full width would be a front axle

 

I have a Sterling axle I am putting in my XJ later it will be fine yes it heavy and yes it bigger but you will NOT break a shaft. I can deal with a little pumpkin grinding to make sure I make it out with no problem. Plus gears are like 50 less than for a Dana 60. I think with a 44 might be able to be broken too easy if you are hitting it hard enough.

 

Answer.....9". Lighter, way more ground clearance and awesome aftermarket.

 

The sterling is a Bad a$$ axle. Down side is way wider then you front axle.. also wrong bolt pattern. You are better off finding a XJ d44 or 8.8.

 

This.

 

Ok thanks for everyones opinion if I can find a 9" in my price range then I'll buy it. Otherwise I'm going with the sterling, unless it gets sold.

 

Also, not as stong and can bent easier. Needs to be trussed for extra strength. So, you add weight.

Well, u are going all full width on the front too with 8 lug recentered H1 rims you are good to go. (This is what I have goin on)

 

1st and 2nd gen k5s are Dana 44s, I think a full size waggy is too...old solid axle broncos, after 73, the front is a Dana 44, I think the rear is a 9"...hint hint..., tj rubi's, jk rubi's, I think scout axles are Dana 44s front and rear...I'm sure someone will chime in if wrong on any of these lol...good luck bro! : )

 

Yes you have to truss the 9" but by no means will the weight be the same, or the loss of ground clearance be the same as a 10.25.

As for a cool d44 rear that all ready has disc brakes, as well as decent gears in it from the factory.. Look at Isuzu rodeo or the honda Passport They have 4.30 gears stock.

Another cool axle that is just as strong or stronger is a toyota axle... Just other thoughts if you dont want to spend a crap load of money for an axle

 

A 9" will be more than strong enough for 35-37's.