Opinions on Axle Choice!!!!

BeerDonor

BeerDonor

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Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Location
Blairsville, GA
I need to remove my uncapable D35 out of my XJ. What is the general concensus on upgrades. Do I hold out until I can find a Dana 44, or do I look for the Ford 8.8 with LS? I desperately want 4.10 gearing.

Opinions please.:popcorn:
 
Get an 8.8 with 4.10's from the factory and then add a locker. Factory LS is crap.
 
8.25's in the 29 spline flavor are great.

I even know where one just happens to be thats for sale... ;)
 
I've run them all and from my experience my personal preference would be to wait and get the D44. Problem is it's hard to find one with 4.10 gears in your bolt pattern.

Unless you can do all the work, the 8.25, which would need a regear would probably end up being more expensive and labor intensive.

If you "desperately" want 4.10 gears and need to move on the project I would suggest an 8.8 (open carrier is a MUST) because of availability and cost. Even though you will need to cut some brackets off, weld on spring perches and shock tabs and deal with the driveshaft connection, IMO the 8.8 offers the most bang for the buck in this trio for your rig.
 
Ditto on the 8.8. You can get one with disk brakes very easily. I have an 8.8 off a 1999 Explorer on my 93 YJ..
replaced the LS guts with a power trax.
M.O.R.E. has everything you need to mount the 8.8 and has options depending on whether you get a disk or drum axle.
It cost me less than replacing the chewed up differential and gears in my D35.
 
I'm fixing to throw in a 8.8 with disc brakes in my 93 YJ.. Its said that they are a little stronger then the D44.. I'd go with it. you want one out of a 96 or newer explorer WITHOUT limited slip.. you want the tag to read 4 10 if it says 4L10 thats the Limited slip and are considered crap in most cases.
 
forget that garbage 8.8, between the two, D44 is the way to go. 8.8 is stronger than stock, but not worth the effort.
 
OlllllllO said:
forget that garbage 8.8, between the two, D44 is the way to go. 8.8 is stronger than stock, but not worth the effort.
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I don't why an 8.8 is not worth the effort? I put one in my TJ in a weekend and couldn't be happier. I am a little disapointed I went with the limited slip but other than that I am more then happy with performance. All the data I saw said it was stronger then a D44 and the 8.8's are alot easier to find and cheaper to buy with low milage.

The XJ is leaf spring in the rear so it would be even easier then my TJ was as far as welding brackets on. You have about a third of the brackets as I did with mine being coil suspension. If you want a low cost pretty much bullet proof axle I would go with the 8.8. I got mine for $200 with 67,000 miles on it when it was all said done with the brackets and new brakes I spent $650 installing my 8.8.
 
It will work, with new mounts and then you will have a different lug pattern and width than the front. Honestly, if you are not hitting the hardest stuff and this is a DD then put an 8.8 in and upgrade the front accordingly when you start to break parts.

60's are not for everyone. Building different stages is not cheap but skipping to the end result is not always the best answer either.
 
OlllllllO said:
forget that garbage 8.8, between the two, D44 is the way to go. 8.8 is stronger than stock, but not worth the effort.
Click to expand...
jds97Wrangler said:
I don't why an 8.8 is not worth the effort? I put one in my TJ in a weekend and couldn't be happier.
Click to expand...

dont listen to that guy (OlllllllO). he evidently has spent way too much time in JU's XJ forum where those guys think the xj d44 is the best thing since sliced bread.

for a relatively cheap upgrade where you can keep your same wheels the 8.8 is the way to go.

here is pretty much everything you could ever need to know about the ford 8.8 and what needs to be done to get it in a TJ.
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371713
 
Pull A Part has a few D60's and a 14 bolt or two with 4.10's. Just went down there last weekend. Under $70 for the complete axle(drum to drum) out the door. Same price on any rear axle.
 
i have had too many buddies with complaints about their rear 8.8 and have swapped for a D44. 8.8 may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for on an D44 (non rubicon). people rave about the D44 being better because it IS BETTER. i personally rock the XJ D44. and with runs in AK with dudes who have the 8.8, guess who needed a ride home...:fuck-you: here, check this out http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/154_0708_weakest_to_strongest_axles/index1.html and this http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_0610_jeep_wrangler_axle_swap/index.html it may help with your choice. cheaper is not necessarily better. in the long run, youll pay more for repairs than if you did the SMART thing and rocked the 44.
 
How about real world torque ratings?

Also note that the toyota 8 inch was rated as weaker than the dana 44 in one of your sources. I think it is a better axle and can run much bigger tires than a dana 44 when comparatively upgraded.

The axle shaft strength tested by Warn Ind:
F8.8= 6,500 (lb. ft.)
D44= 4,600-5,000 (lb. ft.)
D35C= 4,000-4,300 (lb. ft.)
-------------------------------
COT: Continuous output torque rating
MOT: Maximum output torque rating

(Numbers from January edition of Fourwheeler, page 60.)
Dana 35 rear axle COT: 870 MOT: 3480
Dana 44 rear axle COT: 1100 MOT: 4460
Ford 8.8 28spline COT: 1250 MOT: 4600
Ford 8.8 31spline COT: 1360 MOT: 5100
Dana60 semifloat COT: 1500 MOT: 5500]
Click to expand...

In an xj I would swap in a 8.8 personally. simple perches and shock mounts; 4.10 gears are easier to find.

The xj 44 would be the easiest swap but are much harder to find, especially in a 4.10 ratio.
 
OlllllllO said:
people rave about the D44 being better because it IS BETTER.
Click to expand...

Your kidding right? What is SO much better? The fact that the axle tubes are smaller and the shafts weaker? The amazing drum breaks on the dana 44 as opposed to the discs on the 8.8?

Been doing this a little while man and installed a few 8.8's and 44's. Nothing wrong with a 44 but dont go calling the 8.8 junk because that is ignorant.
 
you can get your d44 back, lock rite, disk brakes, and all set up to plug under your cherokee.
 
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