What Front Dana 44 fits a XJ?

[Mudderoy]

I have a search on craigslist that informs me anything there is a Dana 44 in the area. I've been watching for a front Dana 44 for sometime now. They do pop up, but no great deals yet.

Now my understanding on these are limited.

I believe they came from Jeep in the Wagoneers, the generation prior to the Jeep Cherokees. I think I was confused by this because I believe there was a Wagoneer model XJ(?)

My other understand is that modifications must be made to ANY front Dana 44 that you want to install in a XJ, true/false?

So the basic question is what front, steerable, Dana 44 axle will fit in a Jeep Cherokee? What vehicle/year did they come in? If there are any that DO NOT require modification please say so.

I did read something about the Dana 44 from a TJ Rubicon will fit the XJ as is, but I find this unlikely.

[prerunner1982]

I have a search on craigslist that informs me anything there is a Dana 44 in the area. I've been watching for a front Dana 44 for sometime now. They do pop up, but no great deals yet.

Now my understanding on these are limited.

I believe they came from Jeep in the Wagoneers, the generation prior to the Jeep Cherokees. I think I was confused by this because I believe there was a Wagoneer model XJ(?) There was a fullsize Jeep Wagoneer and an XJ Wagoneer.

My other understand is that modifications must be made to ANY front Dana 44 that you want to install in a XJ, true/false? True.... unless it is a Dana 44 from a TJ Rubicon

So the basic question is what front, steerable, Dana 44 axle will fit in a Jeep Cherokee? What vehicle/year did they come in? If there are any that DO NOT require modification please say so.

I did read something about the Dana 44 from a TJ Rubicon will fit the XJ as is, but I find this unlikely. See above. The TJ has the same from suspension/steering as the XJ so a front TJ axle will bolt into the XJ..

[nickxj94]

Yes only one that will bolt in is a Tj Rubicon axle its identical to a d30 just has w d44 center section and bigger spline axles. The waggy 44 requires a few mods cutting the leaf perches off and installing coil buckets and placement of the shocks, trackbar,steering components. But its a better upgrade than the Rubicon 44. Plus you get lockouts lol

[prerunner1982]

The waggy 44 requires a few mods cutting the leaf perches off and installing coil buckets and placement of the shocks, trackbar,steering components. But its a better upgrade than the Rubicon 44. Plus you get lockouts lol

Plus you get full width...and a different bolt pattern... both which require a rear axle swap.


At least with the Rubi 44 you get an E-locker. :D

[bluedragon436]

I'd def install a Rubi D44 if I could find one for a decent enough price... But if I could find a full set of Waggy D44's I'd do that swap for the width and matching bolt pattern...

[nickxj94]

here ya go mudd this is a friend of mine he has two front d44 rubicon housings located here in ft.smith,ar.http://arkansascrawlers.com/main/forum/showthread.php?t=20428

[OrangeXJ]

IMO unless you are going to run 35's or bigger and wheel the shit out of it it's not worth the labor to do the swap. You can rebuild the 30 with HD shafts and gears upgrading the 27 spline shaft to a 29 or 30 spline.

[bluedragon436]

here ya go mudd this is a friend of mine he has two front d44 rubicon housings located here in ft.smith,ar.http://arkansascrawlers.com/main/forum/showthread.php?t=20428

Man I wish I was out west... to be able to find deals like this..

[4.3LXJ]

As stated, TJ Rubicon is the only bolt in. But, as stated these have D30 outers and have some problems with the axle tubes. They are thin. I watched a vid on Youtube where a guy broke his second housing from stress on it. The electric lockers don't ratchet and act like a spool. Another weak point is the Cs. They need reinforcing too. So that leaves the Waggy front, after 74. The pre 74s have a passenger side drop. They are a 6 lug pattern which I suspect is the same as the Rodeo rear D44 which would be a good combo if you cannot get a matched set. The real advantage to me in using the waggy 44 is that is has a real spindle and dual bearing hub. Lockouts would be no advantage with your 242 tcase. But I can attest that the old design will take a real pounding and drive away. I once bent a double tubed front 44 and the spindles and hubs were still in great shape

[Mudderoy]

IMO unless you are going to run 35's or bigger and wheel the shit out of it it's not worth the labor to do the swap. You can rebuild the 30 with HD shafts and gears upgrading the 27 spline shaft to a 29 or 30 spline.

Yep getting this information explains why people would upgrade their D30, beyond the D44 being scarce.

[07Negative]

I'm still working on my hybrid 30/44. I've been on the fence about just ditching the project and picking up a 76' ford Dana 44 and chopping it down. But I think Dana30's are highly under rated and or overly abused.
Heck, look at Steve with a D35, locked, larger dia. tire, and that transfer case. I wouldn't call it a turdy5.
Now of course if you plan on hitting up KOH next January on 37's and locked. You might want to consider a really well built front axle.

[5-Speed XJ]

I did the 84 grandwaggy 44 and got 6 lug molly shafts made for the ford 8.8 I swapped in years ago.
when i got it
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/100_0088.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/100_0088.jpg.html)
all the welding done
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/102_0569_zps242a93d8.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/102_0569_zps242a93d8.jpg.html)
installed
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/102_0626_zps7c13389f.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/102_0626_zps7c13389f.jpg.html)
8.8 shafts
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/88%20with%20410s%20%20time/551280_10200531629151437_1722306663_n_zpsc6c88b9d. jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/88%20with%20410s%20%20time/551280_10200531629151437_1722306663_n_zpsc6c88b9d. jpg.html)
The 44 took about a year to finish completely money/welder pending. I can give you the basic parts I used for a good starting point.

[Mudderoy]

I did the 84 grandwaggy 44 and got 6 lug molly shafts made for the ford 8.8 I swapped in years ago.
when i got it
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/100_0088.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/100_0088.jpg.html)
all the welding done
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/102_0569_zps242a93d8.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/102_0569_zps242a93d8.jpg.html)
installed
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/Dana%2044/102_0626_zps7c13389f.jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/Dana%2044/102_0626_zps7c13389f.jpg.html)
8.8 shafts
http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad260/5-SpeedXJ/88%20with%20410s%20%20time/551280_10200531629151437_1722306663_n_zpsc6c88b9d. jpg (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/5-SpeedXJ/media/88%20with%20410s%20%20time/551280_10200531629151437_1722306663_n_zpsc6c88b9d. jpg.html)
The 44 took about a year to finish completely money/welder pending. I can give you the basic parts I used for a good starting point.

Thanks this really helps in my understanding! :patriot: