Dana 35 to Dana 44 swap

I'm going to the junk yard tomorrow to pick up a Dana 44 for my 92 xj. Should I grab the drive shaft if it has one or will the one from my d35 work? I'm running with about 4.5" lift.

thanks,
chris

Grab the 44 shaft. The two shafts are different lengths and IIRC the D35 was shorter

It looks like you can use a Driveshaft from a C8.25 or a D44, however, with your Lift you may need a SYE and a Tom Woods Driveshaft if there is any vibration. Plus, the stock driveshaft may be too short on the TC Shaft and could fall off during full flex. I am not sure about all this so check the chart below and see what you think.

Rear Driveshafts:

XJ 84/85 All Manual w/ 228, 229 53000035
XJ 84/85 All Automatic w/ 228, 229 83503575
XJ 86 All All w/ 228, 229 83503575
XJ 87/93 2.5, 2.1D Manual w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 53003241
XJ 94/96 2.5 Manual 52098215 *
XJ 87/90 2.5 Automatic w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 53003914 *
XJ 87/95 4.0 Manual w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 53003242
XJ 96 4.0 Manual w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 52098730 *
XJ 87/95 4.0 Automatic w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 53003246
XJ 96/01 4.0 Automatic w/ Dana 35 rear axle, 4WD 52098731AC
XJ 91/92 4.0 Automatic w/ Chry 8.25 rear axle, 4WD 52098206
XJ 93/94 4.0 Automatic w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52098205 *
XJ 95 4.0 Automatic w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52099059 *
XJ 96/01 4.0 Automatic w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52098814AB *
XJ 93/94 4.0 Manual w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52098216 *
XJ 95 4.0 Manual w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52099062 *
XJ 96/01 4.0 Manual w/ Chry 8.25 or Dana 44,4WD 52098732AC

thanks, I have an NP242 transfer case if that matters

If the drive shaft is different its only by a fraction. I just did the same swap and reused my D35 driveshaft. The pinion length between the two rearends measured the same the way I was looking at it.

Not to hijack the thread but it looks like a 91 driveshaft with an 8.25 will work with a 44. Am I reading this right?

I suppose it would also depend on what year TC you have. I have a '94 NP231 in my '96
I have no idea why all the different Stock Numbers except there must be slight Differences in Length, Yoke, or TC Shaft Dimensions.

bdiamond said:

If the drive shaft is different its only by a fraction. I just did the same swap and reused my D35 driveshaft. The pinion length between the two rearends measured the same the way I was looking at it.

Click to expand...

x2, i also run the d35 shaft w my d44. my understanding is this works at lower lift heights, (i run 3'')

I got my D44 today!!:thumbup: it's out of a 87 Wagoneer 4.0 w/auto transmission. 3.54's and no drums for $120. The driveshaft was all beat up, so I didn't bother grabbing it. Should I buy some new drums or do a disc brake conversion? I'm gonna regear before I install it, so it will be a few months before I do the swap.

Go for the discs, why waste cash on drums?

Suddenator said:

Go for the discs, why waste cash on drums?

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that's what i was thinking, but wasn't quite sure which would be more cost effective. BTW, the metal fill cap on the cover isn't a very good indicator of a D44. most of the D35's there had the metal plug. wasted an hour pulling one only to notice the 35 c stamp on the housing:dunce:. There is still one D44 housing there missing axle shafts and gears. if anyone is interested. Carson City Pick-N-Pull.

disc brakes are cooler then they are cheap, allthough they arent very expensive either..

this is mod tech, no surprise we're gonna recommend the disc swap =)

I searched high and low near me (Billings, MT) for a junk yard D44...finally ended up putting in a Ford 8.8. I'm not sorry, but would have been easier not to have to re-do spring perches and shock mounts...not to mention new shocks and all new brake hard lines.

Good luck with the D44...re-gear it, lock it, and wheel it!

Flyfisher said:

I searched high and low near me (Billings, MT) for a junk yard D44...finally ended up putting in a Ford 8.8. I'm not sorry, but would have been easier not to have to re-do spring perches and shock mounts...not to mention new shocks and all new brake hard lines.

Good luck with the D44...re-gear it, lock it, and wheel it!

Click to expand...

Yeah, but you got a better rear with the 8.8.