dana 44 swap question

[madmechanic]

just recently got a 44 from an 87 cherokee and i have a question about the leaf spring retainer plates. i currently have the 8.25 and i know the axle tubes are different sizes. did everyone who did this swap get a new leaf spring retainer plate or am i crazy.my wife tells me i'm crazy but thats for other reasons!

[red91]

just recently got a 44 from an 87 cherokee and i have a question about the leaf spring retainer plates. i currently have the 8.25 and i know the axle tubes are different sizes. did everyone who did this swap get a new leaf spring retainer plate or am i crazy.my wife tells me i'm crazy but thats for other reasons!


its all ok. I did a conversion from a d-35 to a d-44 from a comanche and had to re-weld the leaf spring pads, and the shock mounts. The ONLY difference was I couldn't use my d-35 ubolts cause they were narrower, but the ones from an 8.25 worked out just fine.

I also used the spring plates over the top from my d-35 and no-problemo's!!

[BornAgainXJer]

I can't help you with the 8.25, but I went from a D35 to D44 and didn't have to get new retainer plates. I thought I remembered reading that you didn't have to for the 8.25 to D44 but don't take my word for it.

[Yucca-Man]

I went from 8.25" (3" tube) to D44 (2.75" tube) and reused the plates; you do of course need new u-bolts although in a pinch the old ones will fit (I just wouldn't drive with them if you can help it)

[XJack]

I went from 8.25" (3" tube) to D44 (2.75" tube) and reused the plates; you do of course need new u-bolts although in a pinch the old ones will fit (I just wouldn't drive with them if you can help it)

What he said.