Yer special, just put 4.88s in that damn Chryco. Or get off the 4.88 hype and do 4.56s. There is NO reason for YOU to swap in a 44. What a waste of money. If 4.88s had been around when I was building my 44 the first time, I'd of never built it in the first place.
I don't mean to take this thread in another direction, but are you saying it's not worth updrading the 8.25 axle to a D44? I'm curious because I had inquired with Yella about this axle and I have the 8.25 today.
Thats really on an individual basis. But they have 4.88s for the chyrco now. I had a 29 spline under my '99 and the ONLY reason I built a D44 was to put 4.88s in my rig. They have Detroits, ARBs, Alloy Shafts, and a bunch of other traction aids for the 29 spline chyrco. As well as ZJ discs brakes being bolt on. If 35s were my max, I see no reason not to build up a 29 spline chyrco in place of a d44.
If your needs exceed what is available for the 8.25, then my all means go that route. I just happen to know that Scott's needs are well within the capabilities of his axle and am trying to save him money that could be better spent elsewhere. I know I wish they had 4.88s for the chryco before I was $3,000 into a D44.
Great food for thought, thanks. You're not helping Yella get rid of that axle though! The biggest I'll be going within the next couple of years is 33s, so I guess I really don't need to worry about a D44 at this point.
XJ 44s are great axles. Someone will pick it up. Plenty of people running around with chit 35s. If I was upgrading from that I'd definitely get the 44 over the chryco for the myriad of aftermarket support for it. I've seen Troy offload an XJ 44 the same day it showed up on his doorstep, I'm not too worried about it.
Keep in mind that the D44 shafts are a bit stronger than the 8.25's and the D44's aren't "C" clip axles so there's no worry about losing a clip and having an axle wander out.
Another benefit of the D44 is the smaller overall housing size and the smooth belly of the housing. The 8.25 has a rediculous flange/lip all along the bottom edge that grabs rocks BIG TIME.
Let's also not forget that not all 8.25's are 29 spline units. Prior to '97 (IIRC) all 8.25's were 27 spline. The stock D44 is without question superior to a 27 spline 8.25.
BTW, DJ hasn't spent "$3,000" building just one D44 ...... Let's not let that exaggeration scare folks off of the D44. He's built 2. One got a minor chip to the diff housing flange inside the housing when his locker exploded, and a small gouge to the metal of the machined surface where the axle bearing race seats - leaked a little fluid because of the gouge. He's too anal to keep an axle with flaws, so he bought another one and put in all new components. He also has jacked around with 2 different disc brake set ups, one of which failed and didn't get manufacturer support for the failure, the other is the best - and expensive.
Those are very good points. Those and the fact that there's more support for the D44 are what have kept me interested. Too bad you won't take my offer and help a new guy out.
Acutally I hadn't even totaled in the first 44 I built or the disc brake kit I bought for the second one and then donated to the giveway XJ. If we want to play that game its $4,900 before shipping and taxes. So "BTW, yes DJ has" And I never suggested it would cost him $3,000 to build his. Simply that I wish I had more options before I chose to build mine.............
That being said, If I was building another XJ. I'd have D44s front and rear with Eaton E-Lockers. Buts that not based on anything I've said here. Thats based soley on "because I can".....................
For anyone seeing this thread for the first time, it was broken out of Yella's D44 For Sale thread. I didn't intend for this to become a debate, but now that it kinda has... what's the general opinion here? Is replacing the C8.25 with a D44 worth it?
Not to ruffle Troy's feathers here as I like to buy parts from him, but I personally would not go from a 29-spline 8.25 to a 44. You can build the 8.25 plenty strong and w/o spending any more money. BTW, that axle you saw me beat the crap out of wheeling the other weekend was a welded 27-Spline 8.25. You saw what kind of abuse its been able to take and the 29 spline version is even stronger.
Now that being said I am planning on ditching my 8.25. I got it off Troy for a very good price and its served me well. I also have the 29spline shafts and spider gears for it too. I'm going with a Ford 8.8. Its an easy swap if you know somebody with a welder and it comes with a free disc brake upgrade. its also a 31spline axle and even beefier than the D44. You can normally get them for about 200-300$. Thats my personal axle of choice.
That being said, the D44 is a good deal and will be plenty strong w/o upgrades so if you want some more peace of mind get it. On the other hand, my 99 had a 29spline 8.25 that had no problems withstanding my 32's and the axle I'm currently running is a 27spline 8.25 with 32's and welded spiders. I've beat the snot out of it and not had a siungle issue.
Keep in mind to that your Jeep has 3.55 gears in it so if you want to run the D44 you'll either have to regear it down to a 3.55 (which would be stupid) or regear your front axle to match. No I assume you would want to build the axles a bit anyways, so its not a big deal. Just keep it in mind.
Oh and Troy, I'll let the people I work with know about it. No promises but it'll get the word out.
Keep in mind that the D44 shafts are a bit stronger than the 8.25's and the D44's aren't "C" clip axles so there's no worry about losing a clip and having an axle wander out.
The only reason I built a D44 in place of the 29 spline 8.25 in my 01 was because of the D44 being a non c-clip axle. I did the whole tree branch strapped to the outside of the wheel once to keep a broken axle under the rig. Even though it was a buddies YJ, I would not want to do that again... Beyond popular belief the XJ D44 rear is not that hard to come by, although I wouldn’t call it plentiful either... I’ve had 3 in my possession at one time. Speaking of; IF and WHEN Troy’s is gone I may post another one on the board....
People can break anything and until you go to a full floater, breaking an axle will be a PITA anyway you do it.
The "C" clips on axles don't just suddenly go missing, and they don't just fall out, you have to have a very loose crossshaft or a broken axle end to do that.
Disc brakes are great axle retainers
8.25 axles can be shaved. I took an inch off the bottom and now it slides right over those rocks.
Choice of axle is up to you. The 8.25 has been around a long time. It spent time under a number of MOPAR performance cars of the 70's and 80's, and under 1/2 ton Truck and Van chassis, it is by no means a POS. It's stronger than a D35, and if you already have one under your Jeep, you might as well have your way with it.
A lot of people skip the D44 in favor of a Ford 8.8 W/Discs.
Keep in mind to that your Jeep has 3.55 gears in it so if you want to run the D44 you'll either have to regear it down to a 3.55 (which would be stupid) or regear your front axle to match. No I assume you would want to build the axles a bit anyways, so its not a big deal. Just keep it in mind.
Oh and Troy, I'll let the people I work with know about it. No promises but it'll get the word out.
I'm looking to go to 4.56 gears when I do the "real" lift over the winter/spring. I was just thinking the D44 would be a decent upgrade while I was doing everything else. That's one of the drawbacks of the 44 though - it would just sit my garage for 6+ months until I could regear it.
LOL! Well, with the turn this thread took....... It's probably going to sit in my garage for another 6+ months anyway, so look me up when you're ready! :laugh:
LOL! Well, with the turn this thread took....... It's probably going to sit in my garage for another 6+ months anyway, so look me up when you're ready! :laugh:
Sorry 'bout that! Even though logically I don't need the thing, I'd more than likely still take it if you decide to accept the last offer I PM'ed a few days ago...
