69CaveMan

Howdy all

im not new to wheeling or mods as I have been running a 1969 F250 on 1 ton axles for almost 20 yrs but have never really used a forum or messed with mixed matched parts. I put full size Ford axles on a full size Ford.

But since I decided it was time to go smaller I have sold the full size and bought a 1998 Cherokee XJ.

So I could use some help

this XJ has a rusty 6.5" long arm kit, 03-06 TJ front dana 44 axle and an 87 Cherokee rear Dana 44 with the 4.0L engine, ax-15 tranny, tera flex low range t-case and 35" tires.

i have no interest in going bigger but the TJ front axle appears to be bent. Replaced all ball joints and unit bearings but camber is still awful. Framers level placed next to outside edge of both front tires is touching bottom of tire but more than an inch gap between tire and level at the top of the tires.

this front 44 has 4.56 gears, ARB locker, PSC hydro assist, Tera flex trac bar bracket, and wheel spacers

I am thinking I need to put in a dana 44 from an 80s wagoner or jeep truck or perhaps an F150.

i can grind brackets off old axle and weld them on new axle or buy all new brackets (if I can find them). But I don't have access to a press, lathe, or band saw to shorten the F150 Dana 44. As I don't want tires sticking out any more then they already are.

CAN ANYONE POINT ME TO THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE A WAGONER, jeep truck or F150 axle work under this XJ? What WMS TO WMS should I strive for? What parts from the TJ axle will carry over to the older 44? Where can I get the brackets I need? Where can I get help shortening the F150 Dana 44?

my current budget for this is $2000. Is that enough?

4.3L XJ

It just so happens I am fooling around with a couple of D44s. But bear in mind I have not personally messed with the TJ front 44. But, Dana conserves parts so it can reduce tooling. IIRC that D44 had D30 outers on it. So, there is no reason I can think of why you cannot put regular D30 outer knuckle, spindle stub shaft etc and get rid of that unit bearing. They are not very tight and I share your frustration with how the wheel camber changes when you let it down off the jack. Those old school outer parts will give you a lot of strength over the modern stuff. If you use Reid racing knuckles you can use F150 front brakes for an upgrade

andrewmp6

The tj 44 is basicly a dana 30 with a 44 center.tj 44 to waggy 44 nothing will swap over as far as i know.For swapping brackets https://www.tntcustoms.com/ has everything.But i wouldn't even swap in any 44.The waggy 44 is low pinion and 6 lug some are cad.Shorten a ford 44 is a huge job and finding one pre 77 so it don't have the cast in wedges is a nightmare.I would just swap in front and rear super duty 99-04 axles and be done with it.They will be a lot stronger,Bigger brakes and cheap and easy to grab at a junkyard.

Big David

I wouldn't mess with anything from a SD that wasn't '05 or newer. They're 35 spline & better unit bearings.
I think I'd just find a hp Dana 30 & gear it. Its a pretty strong axle.

00t444e

Any axle from a Super Duty will be able to handle just about anything under an XJ.

4.3L XJ

If you want to beef that up in a hurry, brace the Cs if you want and add this

http://www.artecindustries.com/RR_HD...ersion_knuckle

This will get you into some strong stuff

Desertfox1023

How to put a 78-79 Ford D44 under a XJ
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/79...-build-195610/

Suprmn

the first thing I would do is verify that the axle is bent. By a professional shop if necessary. As mentioned before, the unit bearings could cause this, and in a very outside chance, the prior owner could have tried to use offset ball joints for caster and got them in wrong. Or, another outside chance is a bent wheel, but you should be able to feel that while driving if its out that much.