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wixomga
05-21-2013, 09:17 PM
I purchased an 87 Cherokee Dana 44 Rear axle from a salvage yard with 3.54 ratio. I plan to put it on my 2001 XJ. Question: I want to re-gear to 4.10 (front and rear obviously). Any issues with clearance for the new gears (moving up to 4.10 from 3.54), and what are the best gear sets to use? As part of this upgrade, I want to install lockers front and rear. Any opinions on ARB vs Eaton vs Yukon vs Auburn; Air versus Electric, open diff vs limited slip when not locked (Rear)? I am new to making these kinds of sweeping changes, so any insight is appreciated.
4.3LXJ
05-21-2013, 11:05 PM
Gary, the easiest thing is to use the axle assemblies out of the 4cyl XJs. They already have 4.10s in them and will probably be cheaper than new gears. You can add the lockers easily by just matching the backlash on the ring gear. Doable yourself if you have the tools. You have to replace the carrier to go to 4.10s on all Dana axles. If you use the Chrysler 8.25, then no. When locking the rear, it is best to use the 8.25 rear which you may have anyway.
Mountain Goat
05-21-2013, 11:06 PM
If you spend money on the front axle I would pick up a high pinion D30 and build it. I personally wouldn't spend any money on the low pinion D30.
ArmyGuy45
05-22-2013, 09:34 AM
If you spend money on the front axle I would pick up a high pinion D30 and build it. I personally wouldn't spend any money on the low pinion D30.

How can you tell the diff?
denverd1
05-22-2013, 09:42 AM
Once you know what you're looking for, it's quite obvious. The pinion will be slightly above the axle tube on the high, slightly below on the low.
denverd1
05-22-2013, 09:46 AM
HP:
http://www.jeepforum.com/gallery/data/4/medium/DSC02046.JPG

LP:
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7533/dsc02441jw7.jpg
Mudderoy
05-22-2013, 09:55 AM
I think JeepForum may have image linking disabled... Here's a side by side I found.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/Dana30TJvsXJ.jpg
ArmyGuy45
05-22-2013, 10:20 AM
I think JeepForum may have image linking disabled... Here's a side by side I found.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/Dana30TJvsXJ.jpg

Thx for the pic. So besides clearance what is the advantage?
denverd1
05-22-2013, 10:23 AM
Tony thx.

on a lifted jeep, pinion angle will always be worse on LP. I think there are some strength issues as well IIRC --- has to do with the HP using the drive side of the gear and LP contacting on the coast side while going forward.
prerunner1982
05-22-2013, 10:44 AM
Tony thx.

on a lifted jeep, pinion angle will always be worse on LP. I think there are some strength issues as well IIRC --- has to do with the HP using the drive side of the gear and LP contacting on the coast side while going forward.

Exactly!
wixomga
06-14-2013, 11:53 PM
My 2001 XJ has D30 front LP, D35 rear. Current plan is to swap the D35 with the D44. I am having it built up right now with Yukon Zip Locker and Yukon 4.10 R&P. I can't afford to replace the front axle with a HP type, so will regear to 4.10.