I just came across a 9" rear and a HP44 for the front, I was wondering what would be the largest tire that I could run with these axles. They are equipped already with 456 gears. I will be driving on the street/highway occasionally (very little but some) and moderate wheeling on the weekend. I've just installed a 9" lift on my XJ was thinking from 35" up to 38" tire range????

 

9" of lift? Wowzers.

Depending on how built you do the 44, I would say 37's-38's with an easier foot.

 

With stock shafts 37s max. I run 38s on a 44 front with chromos and still break from time to time.
What year are they out of, if it's 78-79 they'll have cast wedges and you're stuck using ford radius arms or retubing the front axle. The radius arms can be modified and work just like any other radius/long arm on the market.
Can I ask why 9" of lift?

 

I wanted to make sure that I have plenty of room when I flex the suspense and did not want to cut up the fenders to minimize rubbing. And for $200.00 difference from 6.5" to 9" I went with the 9".

 

If you're worried about flex and wanting to run up to 38's without trimming your fenders, I don't think you need to worry about swapping axles...

You're not going to have any decent suspension travel without trimmed fenders without being unlimited top heavy.

May I see pics of this 9" and it's components?

 

Got any pictures?

 

I have trimmed the fenders and installed bushwackers to open up the fenders but thats all. Didn't want to take the bushwackers off to cut the fender opening larger. The fenders are trimmed out quit a bit if u can see in the photo with the bushwackers installed. I don't have any pics yet, wanting until finish to show what is used to look like to now. Pics to follow soon!!

 

35" tires with 4.56 gears. 37's if you're planning a doubler and it's offroad only

cut your fenders and find some 6" lift stuff. bigger is not better
get rid of the bush hackers

 

Seems to me you could of just got a 4.5" lift and built on your stock axles if you just plan on doing "moderate" trails.

 

what kinda of 9" is it 31 spline or 27 spline. 37s is a big as I could recomend without upgraded axle shafts but the weak points going to be the hubs and u joints. the 9" housing is recomended to run some armor and reinforcement if you are going on rocks. what third member did it come with. some are more prone to breaking in half than others
4.5" of lift 35s and ford radius arms rear end set up is limiting my jeep right now.

 

i think it comes down to how much money you want to put into the axles before you even put them on your jeep. the 9" can be built with 40 spline shafts and carriers and is the most highly aftermarket supported axle around. the front d44 i think is only limited to 30 spline inners and 19 outers, but RCV makes shafts for it though that make it a cv style.

but honestly, if you are "moderate" weekend wheeling, why even bother with the swap? you probably wont ever hurt the D30. and 9" of lift?!? really? for what?

 

I agree with the others on the axles and 9". I have ran 9" rear ends for many years (not in Jeeps) but high HP and Tq. applications. Have always used aftermarket housings Moser/Strange and mostly 35 spline axles with 7/8" studs min.

You should consider what those experienced with XJ's are suggesting as my knowledge there is limited. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your XJ as well.

 

this is the reason I can't bring myself to build a 9" for a crawler. sooo expensive to build it right. or at least way more expensive than an 8.8, 60, or 14b. and even if you do build it well, you're still stuck with a 5 lug D44 up front unless you build something fancy or make your 9" a floater (more $$$).

I would definitely put it in a desert truck though