8.8 or D44

[98XJ4X4]

I plan on swapping out my D35 and upgrading to one of these axles, my question is what axle setup would be best. My bro pulled an 8.88 with 3.73 gears and i could also find a 44 easy. also what setup would be easier to install.

idea's are free to flow...

[FireFighter32]

8.8s mean disc brakes if you have the right year. 8.8 is a c clip axle though.

[98XJ4X4]

8.8s mean disc brakes if you have the right year. 8.8 is a c clip axle though.

Now what would be the downfall of a C-clip axle?

[FireFighter32]

You need to remove the cover and pull out this little "c" clip to pull the shafts out. I'm not sure of the other downfalls, I just know that they aren't as convienent as other axles. Someone here can charm in I'm sure.

[HeavyMetal]

i would do a d44 (and did.)

no c-clips, no flange for the driveshaft (d44 uses a yoke), comparable strength. people will argue all day long an 8.8 could feasibly run a 35.1" tire when a d44 could only tun a 35.0" tire blah blah blah...theyre basically the same, and IMO the 8.8 needs more work to be at its top potential

[Even]

I plan on swapping out my D35 and upgrading to one of these axles, my question is what axle setup would be best. My bro pulled an 8.88 with 3.73 gears and i could also find a 44 easy. also what setup would be easier to install.

idea's are free to flow...

8.8 has more potential as far as strength is concerned, but it also requires fab work to install.

You can find a D44 from a 87-89 xj and it will be a direct swap.

If you don't plan on going bigger than 35's a D44 would be plenty strong. You could probably run up to a 37 successfully on an 8.8.

[98XJ4X4]

i would do a d44 (and did.)

no c-clips, no flange for the driveshaft (d44 uses a yoke), comparable strength. people will argue all day long an 8.8 could feasibly run a 35.1" tire when a d44 could only tun a 35.0" tire blah blah blah...theyre basically the same, and IMO the 8.8 needs more work to be at its top potential

now with any d44 would the mounts need to be modded in order to fit into an XJ ?

[Ktmracer419]

built to shit vs built to shit the 8.8 has the edge.

and by built to shit i mean largest diameter alloy shafts, full case locker, truss, good gears.

dana44 can run 33 and 35 spline shafts, but in my humble opinion 30 spline shafts is the max you would want to run on one, anything larger and you are looking at ring and pinion carnage as the weak point.



stock for stock though, dana44 kicks some ass.

reason being: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the 8.8 has a crappy carrier and also is prone to spinning tubes.

[Ktmracer419]

now with any d44 would the mounts need to be modded in order to fit into an XJ ?

dana44's came in a billiondy different vehicles. the only one i know of that shares the lug pattern and width you want is the ones found in xj's,mj's and tj's

[98XJ4X4]

dana44's came in a billiondy different vehicles. the only one i know of that shares the lug pattern and width you want is the ones found in xj's,mj's and tj's

I have a 98 xj, Now if i found a d44 from a yj or tj, i could basically bolt it right in. right?

[HeavyMetal]

I have a 98 xj, Now if i found a d44 from a yj or tj, i could basically bolt it right in. right?

no, only bolt in is an XJ44, the others require work

[Magilla]

IIRC yjs did not come with 44s even if they did they would be spring under. TJ's 44s are setup for coil rear. So to put one in you would need to cut all the brackets off. Find one out off a 80's cherokee or a wagoneer the waggy 44's are bolt in minus the shock mounts.

I prefer the 8.8's myself. There is a huge aftermarket for them. Depending what year you get you can have 31 spline axles and disc brakes. The 8.8 involves cutting old perches off, setting pinion angle welding new perches on. They do have regular yokes for it to eliminate the flanges. Ruff stuff specialties has a complete swap kit for 100 dollars.

Have you looked into the 29 spline 8.25?

[Ktmracer419]

waggy 44's are bolt in minus the shock mounts.

and 6 lug vs 5 lug. which is a big turn off for peeps not interested in a 44 front yet

[HeavyMetal]

I prefer the 8.8's myself. There is a huge aftermarket for them. Depending what year you get you can have 31 spline axles and disc brakes. The 8.8 involves cutting old perches off, setting pinion angle welding new perches on. They do have regular yokes for it to eliminate the flanges. Ruff stuff specialties has a complete swap kit for 100 dollars.

factory 44s have a complete swap kit/perch kit pre installed from the factory

[Ktmracer419]

factory 44s have a complete swap kit/perch kit pre installed from the factory

complete with rinky dink spring perches and low clurrance shock mounts