Dana 35 to dana 44 rear

[rockyford708]

im looking for a rear axle dana 44 for the 1990 cherokee. does any one know off of what other vechical that i can look at to take a dana 44 off of. im only going to run 265/75/16 tires. please help. junk yards keep telling me different stories.

[KH96XJ]

Are you dead set on the D44 or have you considered the C8.25 with 29 splines or the Ford 8.8?

[nickxj94]

im looking for a rear axle dana 44 for the 1990 cherokee. does any one know off of what other vechical that i can look at to take a dana 44 off of. im only going to run 265/75/16 tires. please help. junk yards keep telling me different stories.

There very hard to find most the87-89 wagoneer Xj's had them, best thing ya could do is swap in a Chy.8.25 from another Xj the 97-01s are 29 spline and are just as tough as a d44. The Ford explorer 8.8 is a great swap too but takes some modification to get it under there.

[rockyford708]

no im not dead set on it but i will look into the 8.25 chry, about how much should a junk yard one run just curious. i know on craigs list the dana 44 for other vech. were going for around 400-500 dollars. thanks and what do they mean when you call it a 29 spline. sorry just learning this stuff.

[XJ Wheeler]

Do you want this to be a bolt-in swap, or are you okay with modifying the axle?

[nickxj94]

no im not dead set on it but i will look into the 8.25 chry, about how much should a junk yard one run just curious. i know on craigs list the dana 44 for other vech. were going for around 400-500 dollars. thanks and what do they mean when you call it a 29 spline. sorry just learning this stuff.

Spline count on axle shafts the more one has the stronger it is.

[LizardRunner]

for a D-44 try to find a grand cherokee that came with the factory Towing package, the ZJ or WJ models. the 2000-2004 WJ towing package came with a D44 rear and the HD towing package has a lsd.

[rockyford708]

i would like to find one to swap in cause i dont have alot of time always gone working. thanks

[prerunner1982]

The ZJ Dana 44 has an aluminum housing and c-clip axle shafts. Though it is a 30 spline axle I am not sure that any strength is gained over a Dana 35.

[LizardRunner]

I didn't know that about the ZJ's my WJ has nodular iron D-44's rear and front and both are lockered.

[KH96XJ]

i would like to find one to swap in cause i dont have alot of time always gone working. thanks

Do you know what gear ratio your current axles have? If you get an axle with a different gear ratio than the front you will not be able to engage 4x4 without possibly causing damage to your drive train.

[rockyford708]

well guys sorry for wasting your time, my 1990 cherokee has a 8.25 already so can i use that one. junk yards in colorado want from 300-500 dollars for one again im sorry. thanks

[prerunner1982]

I didn't know that about the ZJ's my WJ has nodular iron D-44's rear and front and both are lockered.

Not calling you a liar, but the the info I can find shows that the WJ Dana 44 was the Dana 44a as well though it is called the Dana 44HD. :smiley-computer005:

[4.3LXJ]

Couple of things here since I am getting in on this kinda late. First, the Comanches had some D44s. Saw one last time I was at the pick and pull. However it had 3.05 gears. Second, the original good old D44 is different than the D44HD. Aftermarket support was little at first, but as the units started showing up in the Rubicon package it has gotten much better. The ZJ D44HD does have an aluminum center section. Seen one with my own eyes, so if you are looking for something to get down in the rocks with, this is not a good option. The reason is that with dissimilar metals, you cannot weld the pumpkin to the tubes like the iron section. So you are left with a press fit that can spin the tubes inside it. Also a good idea to weld the tubes to the pumpkin on the 8.8 also. Now as for your 8.25. You have the ring gear strength and better casting, but you have one thing holding you back there. You have 27 spline shafts in it. So, not to worry, all you have to do is get a new or used set of side gears for the carrier, or better yet get yourself a 29 spline lunchbox locker and a set of 29 spline axles and you will be set to go in an afternoons work

[XJ Wheeler]

Okay, lets back up. Tony, how do you know its an 8.25? Your '90 would not have come with that axle from the factory, they only offered the 35 in that year. If it is actually an 8.25 it would have been swapped in and could very well be a 29 spline variant.

[prerunner1982]

Good call Jake.

[rockyford708]

it looks the picture on the paper.i printed out its more oval then round and it has a big black rubber plug on it. i couldnt really c the tag to dark and cold i will look tomarrow.

[prerunner1982]

Jeep rearend ID

http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6280

[4.3LXJ]

Here is a better one to use

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/JeepDiffs.jpg

[XJ Wheeler]

Sometimes people have a hard time telling, no problem. The sure fire way of telling a 8.25 that i always tell others is there will be four prongs/pegs on the top of the third member toward the front, over the pinion area of the diff. The 35 will not have these. Hope this helps.

[XJ Wheeler]

Here's a pic of my 8.25 for reference.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h401/xj-wheeler/2011-12-06193254.jpg

[prerunner1982]

Also the Chry has a flat spot at the bottom of the diff and the axle tubes are 3" diameter.
The Dana 35 does not have the flat spot and the axle tubes are around 2.5" diameter.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/C825indentifier.jpg

[rockyford708]

thanks i will let you know as soon as i can thanks i appreciate the help.

[denverd1]

If you do in fact want to replace it, I'd go for a ford 8.8 or 9". Plenty strong and doesn't come with the "Dana 44" price tag.

[rockyford708]

ok you are right i found 35 c on tne top right of the housing. so i quess back to square one. looking for a chry 8.25. but thanks for the help. i was getting excitted. so the 8.8 your talking about what do i get it off of. and what year.

[4.3LXJ]

98 and up XJ

[prerunner1982]

ok you are right i found 35 c on tne top right of the housing. so i quess back to square one. looking for a chry 8.25. but thanks for the help. i was getting excitted. so the 8.8 your talking about what do i get it off of. and what year.


98 and up XJ


Steve... I think you were referring to the 8.25. Unless he typo-d it he was asking what the 8.8 was found on.

Rockyford... The Ford Explorer had them. Couldn't tell you what year or what other Ford had them though.

[4.3LXJ]

You're right, brain fart

Might be putting one of these in for a local. We shall see.

[XJ Wheeler]

The 8.8 isn't bolt in, 8.25 is. Just to confirm, you are looking for a bolt in replacement?

[rockyford708]

yes i am sorry havent got back sooner been working in cleburne tx , so a 8.25 will bolt on so that is what i will get thanks.and you said a 1998 and newer cherokee, right

[4.3LXJ]

Yes, 98 and newer

[XJ Wheeler]

Its been little so i don't remember, is yours a 4wd? If so, be sure to get an axle with matching gear ratio as the front.

[rockyford708]

ok this is what i found, a 8.25, up in denver. the guy has too. he doesnt know what year, or spline. if its a 27 and not a 29 spline, can i change them.or if it is a 27 spline is it still strong enough for 32/1150/15 tires. cause as you know i only have the 35 c rear. thanks, 150.00 each. every thing included he said. and yes mine is 4x4. thanks

[XJ Wheeler]

ok this is what i found, a 8.25, up in denver. the guy has too. he doesnt know what year, or spline. if its a 27 and not a 29 spline, can i change them.or if it is a 27 spline is it still strong enough for 32/1150/15 tires. cause as you know i only have the 35 c rear. thanks, 150.00 each. every thing included he said. and yes mine is 4x4. thanks

Yes, you can swap out the 27 spline shafts for 29 spline shafts, but you have to swap the carrier as well. Its just easier to find a 29 spline equipped differential though, instead of swapping. The 27 spline versions can handle 32s, especially if you dont lock it and dont push it too hard in the rocks.

Because yours is a 4x4, you need to match the gearing that you have in the front axle. I.E. if you have 3.55 gears in the front you need a rear axle with 3.55 gears. So, do you know what gears you have? If not, usually there's a tag on the diff cover noting just that. We'll go over it if the tag is missing.

[xj4life2]

Ok I'm late to this but, Here's a little known tip, honda passports and the comperable Isuzu model have a 44 in them and are a very easy swap.

[nickxj94]

Friend of mine has a bolt in D44 for a xj 3.55 gears $400.00 pickup only it's location is Mulberry Arkansas, if you want his number and are serious about it then pm me for his number ..

[rockyford708]

if your talking to me thats to far for me to go but thanks.

[rockyford708]

well having a hard time finding a 8.25 rear axle, 1998 and newer. any way how about the abs breakes i quess my cherokee has. is that going to be something different to dill with. thanks

[nickxj94]

if your talking to me thats to far for me to go but thanks.

For anyone interested, he went 1 tons under his Xj don't. Need the d44 anymore,

[XJ Wheeler]

You might try getting involved in a local club or forum even, i'm sure there's some guys that are swapping axles in Colorado that don't need em anymore. Worth a shot.

[rockyford708]

well its me again, tony. sorry havent been of the forum lately. been working in pearland tx. well so far i bought rims off a guy brand new, 15x8-4.5 with 3.75 back space and the same rim except the other too are 4.00 back space. couldnt beat the price. haul them away. and finally found a 1997, 8.25 rear end 250. oo dollars with same gears as my axle in the front. i also bought new rear leaf spring and putting the bastard pack on. and know im looking for the 1988 thunderbird for the front coils.and also bought the wj booster and master cylinder. well thats what i got so far. thanks for all your help.

[XJ Wheeler]

Good to hear it, bud. The 97 will have the 29 spline shafts too.

Hey, Pearland is not far from me (and a bunch of other members), about an hour-hour and a half.

[rockyford708]

well thats good news, instead of the 27 spline. thanks

[rockyford708]

thats cool your not far from pearland. i like meeting people from every were. life is short, thanks. again

[XJ Wheeler]

Anytime, i'm glad i can help. I don't know a ton, but when i do i'll offer it up. Good luck with the swap.

[rockyford708]

thanks have a good day

[rockyford708]

i have 2 set of rims (15x8 4.5 3.75 back spacing) and (15x8 4.5 4.00 back spacing) am i going to need back spacers, going to run 33/1250/15 tires, if possible. on 4.5 inch lift. thanks.

[XJ Wheeler]

Shouldn't need to, but i would go with the 3.75 back spacing to give it that extra bit. I have 15x8 3.75" back spacing wheels and plan on running 33s too, but i'm only on 31s now though.

[rockyford708]

thanks i appreciate it.

[Metlic53]

i didnt read the thread but my dana 35 is welded with 32's and doesn't skip a beat. any axle will be fine unless you start bouncing