D44 or Ford Explorer 8.8

[GAdawg]

Okay, I have been searching for a D44 to replace my worn out 35. I am hearing from people that an Ford Explorer 8.8 will go under the XJ and all you have to modify is the spring plate locations. Is the 8.8 a better option or am I getting into a bigger mess? Thanks

[MuddinXJ]

go with the d44. you will be alot happier

[poppabear]

depends on $$$

I did a 44 cause I wanted a dana axle. I almost bought an 8.8 but for me it was a diff. of whether I wanted to spend the money on part and labor for a rear disc conversion or on spring conversion...

i chose disc conversion. probably same cost in the end.

can't really go wrong with either as long as the 8.8 is 31 spline and has disc brakes. gearing shouldn't matter cause if your upgrading axles you probably need to be at least down to 4.56's.

[xjrugger]

i went with the 44 since it's a bolt in and they are pretty much equal in strength

[GI-John]

If you have some fab skills, then I would suggest the 8.8 I tried for about 3 months to locate a GOOD D44 reasonably priced before finally going 8.8

So glad I did, the brakes alone are worth the swap!

8.8 PROS
same bolt pattern
no carrier breaks
disc brakes standard
big beefy axles/tubes
fairly cheap (300 range)
easily available (how many millions?)

CONS

Fabbing required
C-Clips (debatable)
slightly narrower
limited locker choices (for now)

XJ D44 pros

BOLT IN
10 x 2.5" drums (Improvement over D35)
many parts lockers available

Cons
Carrier break to go to lower gears
getting harder to find
disc brake upgrade pricey


The thing to do on an 8.8 is to get the most complete axle you can (brakewise) so your out of pocket expenses are minimal. ensure that you get the adapter that mounts to the flange too, and don't let the yard cut off the brake lines at the axle. this will save a few extra bones

fab or buy some perches, adapt the brakelines, and voila! (well, it's not that easy, but if a moron like me can do it, anyone can)

try a search for ford 8.8, and you will get lots of hits.


good luck,

John

[CRASH]

Final mod for the 8.8:

Weld the center section to the axle tubes if you are going to use a traction bar.

CRASH

[BLUTO]

I went with the 8.8, it was from a 1998 Exploder with 15Kmiles. It already had 4.10's, posi., and discs.....$350! All I had to do was adapt the spring mounts. BTW, I run 31 x 10.5 tires on Canyon rims and they still cleared the rr springs by 1/2"+ ....WITHOUT spacers!
Weld the tubes to the pumpkin and you should have one very durable axle.
BLUTO

[Big DaveXJ]

If you decide to go with the 8.8 MAKE SURE you get it with brake parts unlike I did. New calipers, rotors, and ebrake parts and cables added up quickly to way more money than I planned on spending on it. Also, I'd definately recommend a LockRight, I'm loving mine and its barely noticeable on the street. If I could have found a 44 that was in good shape I would've gone with that instead, but the availability of 8.8s and the cheaper price made it a more attractive solution for me.

[GI-John]

E-Brake writeup
http://jeepsunlimited.com/forums/sho...hreadid=426352

Home Made Spring Perches
http://www.off-road.com/chevy/tech/perch/

[GAdawg]

Thanks guys, since I can't find a 44 to save my life the 8.8 looks probable. Thanks for all the pointers.

[Blatant]

The 8.8 is a great axle if for no other reason than the ridiculous prices that rear D44s bring. Honestly, you can get two or three 14 bolts or 60s for the price of a 44.

Anyhoo, the 8.8 is a nice axle. I ran one for awhile in my YJ (before I moved up to 60s) with 36-inch tires and it performed very well.
dion

[xj_punk]

i have one thing to say...

c-clips suck!!!


from a proud owner of a d44
that is all

[small pederson]

try searching. this is the argument that fills pages

[Rawbrown]

since i have rebuilt/gears several 8.8's i will donate here...

I have seen time and time again bearing failure with 8.8's. mainly the driverside carrier bearing. i have several outer races sitting on the shelf that have gone bad, ie pitting and scoring. even with 70 k miles. higher gearing and larger tires will put more stress on this bearing so just a work of caution against the 8.8.

while it is nice to have disc brakes. thats about the only plus in my opinion.

[watson]

My vote has to go to the 44. Know a guy with a 8.8 in his YJ and has had nothing but trouble. Definitely weld the tubes to the center-section if you go with the 8.8. His twisted a couple times. If not for that, c-clips are enough reason for me to go with a 44. Have seen too many Jeeps leaving the trail with a log strapped to the outside of their tires keeping them pressed in after breaking a shaft (Dana 35s but same principle). I ran an MJ Dana 44 for a couple years with a detroit and 4.56s running 36" TSLs and wheeled it hard. The axle never flinched. Parts are much easier to find also. XJ/MJ 44s don't seem too hard to find in the $400 range (not that much more than a 8.8). The bigger brakes, even though drums, on the 44 are plenty. I never had problems stopping with 36s and drums. My $0.02.