Well the title says it all. I can but a d44 out of a 87 cherokee for 200 and well am i stupid if my C8.25 is in good shape/condition?

 

buy it and resell or keep as spare

 

^^x2 or build up with larger shafts and and a locker or spool and then keep it until u break the C8.25

 

since youve got a 29 spline 8.25, the strength difference is marginal at best. If you can get rid of it for more than you paid then go ahead for it.

 

Techinically they are about the same strength. But there is definately more aftermarket support for the d44.

If it was me.. I would buy the d44 and build it up slowly as money and time allowed. I would also try and find a Waggy 44 for the front, and build them both. No need in spending money on gears for the d30 if you can build a front axle that wil be substantially stronger, and cooler.

 

The D/44 does have more aftermarket support, but the C/8.25 has enough support. As Hoooper stated, the strength of the two axles are very close to identical and you already have the C/8.25 installed. I'm running a C/8.25 with 1541H shafts and a Detroit locker and with the shafts and locker I am stronger than a stock 30 spline D/44.

 

Yeah but for about the same money as your detroit and alloys he can put a set of 33 spline shafts in his axle.. or for a lil more he can put a set of 35 spline shafts. That is what I would do


The other down side to the 8.25 is the low pinion and how low the lip hangs down. Not hating just stating what I have learned over the yrs.

 

Yes, he could buy a D/44, buy 33 or 35 spline shafts, buy a locker that would fit the new shafts, which would cost a lot more than the $225 that I spent for my alloy shafts. I'm running 35s and the C/8.25 with alloys is more than enough to handle the torque load on the axle.

The C/8.25 being a low pinion differential is a good thing because a low pinion differential in the rear is stronger than a high pinion. and as for the lip on the bottom of the differential, mine doesn't have much of one now that it has been ground down, in fact it is now no larger than the one on my 1948 CJ2As D/44.
Not hating just stating a couple of the things I've learned in 35+ years of wheeling.

 

I believe the D44 is a non C clip axle. That is a good plus.

 

It is a plus, but means nothing unless you bust an axle.

The OP stated that he has a 29 spline C/8.25, and is asking should he buy a D/44. I don't think there is enough of a difference in strength between them to justify going to the trouble. If he had a D/35 or even a 27 spline C/8.25 I would probably go for the D/44.

 

And Lord knows that NEVER happens.

Getting the D44 and slowly building it sounds like a really good idea, esp if you can someday sell the 8.25 and make some cash back.

 

Well... yeah... but non C clip axles are more desirable IMO.

Non C clip.... Bust an axle = limp home
C clip.... Bust and axle = ride in the tow truck

 

If you want to buy the D/44, go for it. Build it, install it, or sell it, but that wasn't what the OP asked.
As for busting the C/8.25, I carry spares so I would just change it.

 

Actually it IS what the OP asked. He wanted to know if a D44 is worth buying if his C8.25 is still in good condition.


Changing a C clip axle shaft on the trail isn't as easy as one might think.... maybe at camp but not on the trail.

 

I have changed a c clip axle on the trail, so I know how hard it is. I'm not running 40 inch tires on a C/8.25 axle, I'm only running 35s and the C/8.25 with alloy shafts will handle the torque load with room to spare. As I've stated I don't think there is enough difference between the two axles to mess with changing them, but if you want to buy it go for it.
As for the OP I guess I figured that he was asking about buying the axle and installing it in his Cherokee since he didn't say anything about buying it, and then building it, and then selling it.