Hey guys, so I found a Dana 44 (actually two!) Out of a WK and a WJ. I'm gonna pick up one of these to replace my busted D35. What do I need to do? I have found come conversion kids on a couple sites, such as Rusty's, so that gets me u-boltsleaf spring perches, etc. Am I correct in thinking that all I should have to do is cut off the coil spring perches and weld in the new perches? I'm also probably going to do a disc conversion as well. I know I will have to check and match gear ratios.

 

You in the case of the WJ are looking at a D44A. A much better rear axle than a D35. I put on in a TJ with a worn out D35. The WJ is slightly wider than the XJ, But all you need is as you said cut the brackets off and weld the spring perches on. Bear in mind that the WJ and WK already have disc brakes. Those are also bigger brakes than the ZJ conversion commonly done. You can correct the width difference with wheel spacers in the front. Make sure you match gear ratios. The WJ has 3.73s which is an uncommon ratio in an XJ. And if you do this, you can even out your braking with a WJ front disc conversion and have an XJ that stops really fast. I did that and love the brakes

 

hmm so there were 2 d44's out there.... is it possible to purchase both and reverse the pitch on one and use it as a front axle? purely hypothetical, asking because I've seen that some jeeps had d44's front and rear? or am I remembering wrong?

4.3L XJ, thanks for the response and helping validate my understanding of the process!

 

No, you cannot do that. What you get to work is what is called a high pinion, which has reverse cut gears like the high pinion D30

 

the difference with the normal d44, like what would come in the rear of some XJs or JKs, and the d44A found in ZJs and WJs is the d44A has an aluminum center section. Some say its strong enough and some say it will break if you look at it.
If you do swap the rear from a WJ you will probably need wheel spacers on the front to match the width

 

WJ axle will also have a different bolt pattern than your front. They run 5x5 while the XJ and ZJ for that matter both are 5x4.5. I think in most cases just about any axle consideration from the ZJ's and WJ's are 3.73 gears so at the very least besides brackets your also looking at a new set of gears for one of your axles unless you swapped both.

 

thanks guys. I will be picking this up, as well as a swap kit. I will count the teeth on the new 44 and regear my front while also getting a 29-spline. Still planning on lockers front and rear

 

I wouldn't waste time or money putting a Dana 44a in anything.

 

Please explain?

 

The Dana 44a isn't that good of an axle, parts availability for it is very limited, and what you can find for it is far more expensive. I got a new ring and pinion and install kit for a both a Ford 8.8 and Dana 30 for the same price I could one for a Dana 44a, there is also very few locker and limited slips available for it, and the aluminium housing makes it weaker than other similarly sized axles like the regular Dana 44, Chrysler 8.25 and Ford 8.8.

 

ok so how about out of a '76 cherokee chief?

 

I think those rear ends are really far offset. Whatever you put in the rear you'll need to match f/r gear ratios, you'll also want to axle widths to be close and preferably have the same bolt pattern. if you want to keep your Dana 30
The 8.25 is definitely has the best strength and ease of install, but i understand if you want more of a project. 8.8 from an explorer is good width and lug pattern. Jk44 rear ends are not stupid expense but the whole jk swap gets pricey when you include the front

 

ok so the quest continues. found several 8.8's and even 9's at the local jy, but they all say non-removable carrier. so far I've only found one reference regarding how to remove the carrier (I really want a rear locker!). Is it, as the name says, truly non-removable? how difficult would it be to install a locker in one of these? thanks again! Also, thank you for the input, XJChang, regarding the older style D44. I am passing on that. In fact, thank you everyone for the advice so far! so far, you guys have helped me eliminate weaker D44's, incompatible rear ends, and given me new search criteria for rear ends.
I've researched Rodeo's, Broncos, F150's so far. I've also found a couple very good threads here on our forums regarding the subject. A lot of my concerns are going to be replacement diff widths. I don't mind going wider, but I definately don't want to go narrower. If any of you have read my build, I'm building this to be a capable off roader, lots of mountain terrain, some very deep mud holes (look up Elbe Hills ORC Park, specifically the Busy Wild). I want low Center of Gravity, which would the wider axle would help with. I also want to really push more down travel than building higher lifts and I'm willing to cut/weld/modify and build to achieve this.

 

For the most direct and ease of install. Find an 8.25 out of the later year xjs they had a higher spline count on the axle shafts compared to the earlier ones. They also have a few options for lockers. I'd say for moderate swap project go for the 8.8 out an explorer. Easily can be had with better gears, disc brakes and LSD. If you decide you want a different locker for the rear there are many options out there for you. Avoid the 8.8s out of the f150s and crown vice, the explorer axle is where it's at. I ran the 8.8 in the back of my MJ for many years on 36 and 37 iroks. Yukon grizzly locker and I was very satisfied with it. DD, weekend trails and aggressive offroad obstacles it handled it all, the d30 front not as much but that's another deal

 

why not just find a 29 spline 8.25 or an XJ 44? that would be a much simpler swap. how big of a tire are you running?