After market Dana 44 for ZJ
 

Does anyone make a knuckle to knuckle complete after market Dana 44 for a 96 ZJ? Is there another model that has the same pumpkin upper control arm mount such as a TJ? I was told a TJ was very close and would work by one salesman and another said the upper control arm brackets are 2 inches to close together. I would like to use a high pinion Dana 44 for my build and I can weld the spring buckets and control arm bracket on, I just need to order the proper core. I was looking at the G2 44 core for a TJ for instance. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

What size tires are you wanting to run? You may be fine with the Dana 30, I would be more worried about upgrading the rear axle, your rear is either a Dana 35 which is very weak or a Dana 44a which is stronger than the 35 but still isn't great.

If you can weld to the CAST pumpkin(I dont have those skills) then why worry about finding a unicorn? Just get a strong, large aftermarket supported axle, and weld the necessary mounts.

33's maybe 35's probably 33's
I wouldn't feel comfortable welding the cast. If it was a gusset okay but not a control arm.
My axles were toast! brakes, knuckles, brackets, buckets, TOAST! and I stripped everything off down to bare housings. I have a great front Dana 30 axle housing now with an Iron Rock truss and C gusset's I welded on, but the further I get into pricing parts (ARB, 4.56 R&P, chromolly 30 spline axles, unit bearings, knuckles, brakes, locking hub conversion) I'll have $4,000.00 in a Dana 30! The rear I already decided to go with a Dana 60 complete right out to the brakes and finding spring buckets and control arm brackets for the rear has been easier.
I would buy another Iron Rock truss and fit it to a Dana 44 if I could find a 44 with the pumpkin upper control arm in the right spot.
Sleeping on it last night I was kicking around building my Dana 30 out closer to stock. I figured I could do a Detroit locker, 30 spline axles, stock knuckles and bearings and wait with the locking hubs. Hopefully I can get a 5 on 5.5 lug pattern and disc brakes. That could be another monkey wrench.

If your only getting 33 or 35s a high pinion Dana 30 will work fine. I am going to run 35s and all I am going to do is stock shafts new u-joints with the full circle clip upgrade, 4.56 gears, a better cover and I am keeping my Spartan locker. I am also going to carry spare shafts incase I do break one.

I need knuckles for my Dana 30. If I went with Reid Racing high steer knuckles would that get me half way to locking hubs. If so, what outer axle shafts and hubs would work. Keep in mind I need all new brakes too and I'm not using the ABS.
Also found some info that an XJ front end Dana 44 housing would work on my ZJ???

If you go with Reids, then most of them are set up for six hole flanges on the spindles. The exception is the Scout II that has the eight hole flanges. Whatever flange you go with, get the hubs, bearings and stub shaft to with that spindle. And I wouldn't trust a welded flange to a cast center section. It would eventually pull out no matter how well it is welded

Thanks 4.3L XJ

You hit the nail on the head. Wheeling 33s/35s on a D30, just be sure to bring spares in case.