dana 30 & 35 vs dana 44's

dcxj1990

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Toccoa, Georgia
My set up is 98 XJ with with 8.5 skyjacker, 35's, used as a DD, and great crawler

I have currently stock D30 front and 8.25 rear, looking at d30 and d35 with 4.10s out of a junker

Then there's d44's with 4.10s

Which would be better for my application, i would be swapping them myself, so keep in mind the fab work for swapping
 
You would be taking a definite step down from the 8.25 to the d35. Most people that run a d35 are cheap bastards with a minor junkyard of their own so when they break it, they just swap parts for next to nothing.

Plenty of people have done front d44 swaps and can give you more info on that than I can.

My suggestion would be to grab the d30 with 4.10s, then find an XJ D44 and regear. No fab needed, Your D30 will do well especially with some alloy shafts or ultimately RCVs. A truss is easy to do and will help with strengthening the tubes as well as overall deflection of the drivetrain.

Or do the D30 and regear your 8.25. It really all depends on your driving style and how beef you really want to be. I tend to have a heavy foot, and even with the stroker on 33's I haven't snapped a d30. I might be a little lucky though :) Others here have heard the snap crackle pop on a mild line with almost no throttle.
 
the front 44 has the same size ujoints as the dana 30. only if it had rcv shafts it would be a nice upgrade. other then that its about the same as the d30
 
the front 44 has the same size ujoints as the dana 30. only if it had rcv shafts it would be a nice upgrade. other then that its about the same as the d30

I sorta disagree... With good joints the D30's weak link is the ring & pinion. However, for what it is, a d30 is incredibly strong.
 
And because I'm a dealer for them, I guarantee i can beat anyone's advertised price on them, you just have to call me for details.
 
I'd keep what I got and regear it. Throw some alloys in the 8.25 and RCV's up front and be done.
 
is the 8.8 out of a 95-98 explorer with the 4.10 gears and disc brakes a good upgrade from the 8.25

cause it seems addons to the 8.25 seem to be across the board more expensive...ugh
 
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