XJ D44 years?

SNOWBLIND · Dec 16, 2004

i'm looking for a stock D44 out of an xj. anyone know what years or models or packages i should be looking for?
i was hoping to do so some wrecking yard shopping in hopes to find a D44 to build.
thanks

the_bandit87 · Dec 16, 2004

I have a D44 but I'm by no means an expert. From what I know they were in SOME XJs with the towing package from 1987-1989 and had 3.54 gears with the automatic. I'm not sure what manuals had, but I don't think there was any choice in ratio (no 3.73 or 4.10 gears availible as a factory option). Hope this helps.

PAXJRUNNER · Dec 16, 2004

These XJ44 rears are getting harder and harder to find in good shape and unwheeled.

Look for 87-88s with tow package. Most come 3.54 gears and trac-locs.

They will run you anywhere from 150- 400 depending on if the seller knows what he has. I picked up a low mileage one for $350 drum to drum, maintained and never wheeled it's whole life.

Good luck

red91 · Dec 16, 2004

usually 87, but they are in the 87-89's and the MJ as well. Don't forget them as they are the most overlooked. Got mine from one and welded the spring plates and shock mounts on.

SNOWBLIND · Dec 16, 2004

Thanks For The Help, Now My Search Can Begin.

XJ_ranger · Dec 16, 2004

check www.car-part.com

search for :
1987
Jeep Cherokee (Except Grand Cherokee)
Rear Axle Assy (RWD)
your state

then select Spcr 44 or dana 44 with the gear ratio of your choice that should give you a good idea as to availability...

Eagle · Dec 17, 2004

XJ_ranger said:
check www.car-part.com

search for :
1987
Jeep Cherokee (Except Grand Cherokee)
Rear Axle Assy (RWD)
your state

then select Spcr 44 or dana 44 with the gear ratio of your choice that should give you a good idea as to availability...

Maybe.

A couple of years ago a friend called me up all excited because he had found TWO XJ D44s in a yard in upstate NY. Price was good and I had a few extra bucks at the time, so I agreed to take one, we told the yard we were coming up and to have 'em pulled and ready for us. We hooked up my trailer and trekked off to collect our prizes.

Three or four hours later we get to the yard. Have to pay first before they allow us around the side to even look at what we bought (???). Okay. All paid for, take receipts and trailer around to the loading dock and find ... two XJ D35s.

Go back inside, tell the rocket scientist there's a problem, and his answer was "Well, the computer says they're Dana 44s."

Ray H · Dec 17, 2004

Junkyards may say they know whats under there but many times they dont, you just have to get out there and crawl under them yourself.
I bought a D44 about 4 years ago from a yard. I was there for another item and just happen to notice it. I asked them to remove it and I would be back in an hour with cash. When I got back, they had a D35 sitting there. I said I didnt want it followed by a short agruement about how I cost them labor hours. They told me that they took an axle from a newer, lower mileage XJ and it was exactly the same so I should be happy. I made them cut the D44 out of the vehicle and showed them the difference. They didnt have much to say after that except $250, thank you very much.

Digger87xj · Dec 17, 2004

You might think about a ford explorer 8.8... 30% stronger than the 44, rear disk brakes, perfect width for the xj and parts abound in the aftermarket for gears and lockers

Tim_MN · Dec 17, 2004

Don't give the search just yet. At my local U-Pull-It junk yard I have found 2 xj Dana 44's in the last year. All axles are $90.00 each.

Dana 44, 60, Ford 8.8 or 9.0, they don't care.

SNOWBLIND · Dec 17, 2004

Digger87xj said:
You might think about a ford explorer 8.8... 30% stronger than the 44, rear disk brakes, perfect width for the xj and parts abound in the aftermarket for gears and lockers

digger,
do you have any specs on the 8.8? such as wms to wms, what years to look for & what vehicles, any links to articles on the swap?
the option of the 8.8 swap is a possibility, it just seemed the d44 would be much more of a "no brainer" and would still be an improvement.
thanks

Yucca-Man · Dec 18, 2004

SNOWBLIND said:
digger,
do you have any specs on the 8.8? such as wms to wms, what years to look for & what vehicles, any links to articles on the swap?
the option of the 8.8 swap is a possibility, it just seemed the d44 would be much more of a "no brainer" and would still be an improvement.

The 8.8 has been covered extensively in the Modified forum; it's about 1.5" narrower than the stock XJ axles, and is found under the Explorer family of vehicles. There should be several usable search terms in that previous sentence.

SNOWBLIND · Dec 20, 2004

Thanks For All The Help.

Big Red · Dec 21, 2004

Don't pass up a 97'+ 8.25 either if you can get it really cheap (29 spline to dana 44s 30 spline), but 1st look for the xj 44.

XJ D44 years?

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