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Rear D44 swap

cometcyclonemk

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Seattle, WA
Hey everyone,

I have a chance to pick up a cheap xj d44 and have some questions about the swap.

First Current Jeep Specs:

1991
AX-15
D35 rear
31" Duratracs on Canyons

Post swap specs:
D44 (from an xj)
Finally install the 2.5" OME lift that's been sitting in my garage for about a year now...
(front/rear springs, bilstein shocks, tcase drop (if I need it))

So the question is:

Will I need a new driveshaft? I understand that the d44 is a bit longer than the 35, will the 2'5" lift make up the difference in length? Should I get the shaft out of the Jeep the d44 is coming from (also a manual, but probably whatever it was before the ax15)?

Anything else I should do while I'm swapping axles / installing the lift?


Thanks!
 
I swapped a 44 in my 89, it bolted right in. Only difference I had was I had an AW4. But other than that it went right in. O and hey I have a spool for the D44 if your interested.
 
Unfortunately the guy turned out to be just another craigslist flake, so no D44 for me...

Any other suggestions for a cheap rear axle upgrade? I know there are lots of posts on 8.8s, and such, but I have a few constraints...

Keep my 3.07s! I know, I know... Seriously though, I regularly get 21-23mpg on 75mph trips between Seattle and Portland (On 31s). Plenty of power on the pavement, and I don't plan on anything resembling what would require an awesome crawl ratio. Might be willing to go a little lower, but I think even 3.55s from an auto xj would be more than I'd like. I know people have experience otherwise, but I can't imagine getting much better mileage than that so I'm weary of making gear changes.

Limited slip of some sort. I'm very tired of cautiously pulling away from every stoplight. Seriously. It's a daily driver (to the tune of 18,000 miles over the 15 months I've had it) so I don't think a spool / lunchbox etc are what I'm looking for...

Cheap (I'm on a budget with this, like anyone I'm sure). Would like to be in the swap no more than $500 (all done, in and good to go). This would include front axle gear changes if that became necessary...

I don't have welding facilities... So retrofitting an axle would require paying someone to do the fabrication :(

My current 35 has been making noise for... Well the last 18k miles, and is seriously in need of brakes (not that they seemed to do much before anyway). Since I have the lift to install, I figure now is the time to do it - build the rear axle / brakes and swap it out when I do the lift.

Am I incorrect in assuming that a 3.07 geared limited slip XJ D44 is my best option?
Would an 8.25 be good second choice?
Any other suggestions?

What years / options should I look for to get either with a limited slip?
Any recommended limited slip / traction lok type devices if I can only find an open one? (Must be street friendly!)
Are all (stock) manual transmission, 4.0 cherokees 3.07 geared?
Is my budget unreasonably low?
With the 8.25 I'm aware I'll need different U-bolts... Same for D44? Anything else required for these swaps?

Thanks again!
 
8.25 would be a great second even first choice for a rear axle. The 97' and up(29 spline) I do believe had the only option of LSD, but by the sounds of it, this doesn't go off roading at all or very little? If so a older 8.25 with the 27 spline would be fine. But the d44 and 8.25 is the best choice for bolt in, as far as I've read, the 8.8 you need to weld perches and such on to fit. The only problem I see though is I don't believe the 8.25 had anything less than 3.55 gears, but I could be wrong.
 
Finding a d44 with LSD and 3.07 might be a very very long shot from what Ives seen, then again if you can find one with a open diff, just buy a LS for it. If not the most readily common will be a 8.25 but you'll have to spin the axle to make sure if its open or not. If both sides spin the same direction, LSD or locked, opposite directions usually mean open.
 
Other guys here might know better, but I believe the 8.25 is in every junk yard in town. And most guys backyards!!
 
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