So I bought this 44 with the impression that it is from an XJ. Installed it and everything bolted up perfectly just like the 35 it replaced, spring perches, shock mounts all look like they are original and are in the same places as the D35. Well I started surfing the net finding info on how to replace an axle shaft, as it turns out, the driver side one is bent. I come across several sites that say the XJ D44 is supposed to have a larger diameter axle tube than the D35 and it is the TJ D44 that has the axle tubes about the size of the D35. I didn't take any measurements before I sold the 35 and I haven't measured the D44 but I re-used the old U-bolts from the 35 on the 44 temporarily and they fit perfectly. I got under there and tried to find grind marks on the axle to see if perches or shock mounts had been relocated if it was a TJ axle but there are none. Without looking up axle id numbers, is there a way I can tell for sure what the axle came off of? Is there a difference in axle shafts between the old XJ 44 and the TJ 44? Where is the best place to get a stock D44 driver side axle shaft?
Thanks all.
Thanks all.