44 direct swap in?

[96XJCLASSIC]

I have a 96 XJ with D35c rear and POSSIBLY have a line on a D44 out of an 87 XJ. Mine has abs and I know that the 87 does not so I will have to disable my abs, no prob. But other than the abs is there anything that will prevent me from just swapping it in? I know the ratios have to be the same also, which i think the 44 is 3.55 same as my stock axles.

 

[CStamm]

You will need to change your driveshaft length. Not sure, but I think it will have to be shorter than it was with your Dana 35. Also, you will need new U-bolts.

 

[massxj]

I have a 96 XJ with D35c rear and POSSIBLY have a line on a D44 out of an 87 XJ. Mine has abs and I know that the 87 does not so I will have to disable my abs, no prob. But other than the abs is there anything that will prevent me from just swapping it in? I know the ratios have to be the same also, which i think the 44 is 3.55 same as my stock axles.

should bolt right itbu not sure about the abs it may freak out with ut the tone ring. if it you cant get it to work ill take the axle

 

[h.curtis]

I have a 96 XJ with D35c rear and POSSIBLY have a line on a D44 out of an 87 XJ. Mine has abs and I know that the 87 does not so I will have to disable my abs, no prob. But other than the abs is there anything that will prevent me from just swapping it in? I know the ratios have to be the same also, which i think the 44 is 3.55 same as my stock axles.

You have a d35custom, just like I had. I now have a '87 d44 in mine, just like you want to do. It will bolt in. It has a little higher perch's, so it will sit a little higher in the rear. I didn't have to change my shaft, but I have a CV driveshaft with my lift. I was told I needed to shorten mine, but didn't have to. I suspect if you are stock you will have to have it cut. It is no big deal to do that. Not sure about the ABS, my '96 was a 5sp, so no ABS thank goodness.

Curt

 

[IntrepidXJ]

just swapped in a d44 last week. just cut the ABS lines on my 92, and it disabled the ABS system. i will eventually remove the whole system when it gets warmer out

 

[Wayne Sihler]

You will need to change your driveshaft length. Not sure, but I think it will have to be shorter than it was with your Dana 35. Also, you will need new U-bolts.

Note-- The U-bolts are the same size,just need to replace because of wear.
Wayne

 

[dennisuello]

You will need to change your driveshaft length.

not really, the pinion length is only about .5" longer on Dana 44.

 

[h.curtis]

Note-- The U-bolts are the same size,just need to replace because of wear.
Wayne

Actually, the U bolts are a little small for the 44, or atleast mine were, but they work. Mine needed a little coaxing to get on. They were new when I put the lift on. No big deal though, they work fine. Very little difference.

Curt

 

[woody]

When I swapped out my 8.25 for a 44 I left the driveshaft as-is. (89 AW4/NP231 with YJ slip-yoke & 1" TC drop) IIRC the 35 pinion snout is shorter than the 8.25 or 44, so that may leave the D35 sized driveshaft a bit too long?

I sawzalled the old spring U-bolts off since I rung the 2nd nut off with the threads attached and I was burning daylight :viking:

I did go to MORE springpads on the 44 tubes (converted MJ ax) which sit taller than OEM. At the time of the swap, I went from +3" to +6" approx with leafpacks & MJ shackles...

Best I could tell, the slipyoke was riding in approx the same spot as before the swap.