jage Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 O.K. Here's the current plan for your review. I want to make sure I have everything planned for before I start buying more parts: What I've got: 1988 MJ Check 2.5L Engine Check AX5 Check Atlas II Check Suspension: 8" RockReady by Skyjacker for XJ Owned not installed* Desired Tire Size: 38" x ?? Rims: 15x8 4 1/4" backspaced beadlocks (already own) Rear Axle: (Own the stock open 3.54 XJ axle) 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern XJ 44 will move spring perches and remove shock mounts Use MJ D44 U bolts and plates with Shock Mounts add ARB or OX locker. Might convert to disc brake. Planning on keeping the MJ proportional valve since it seems fine Front Axle: (Have none of this) TJ 44 Housing (should bolt right in?) 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern Upgraded Axle shafts (because the TJ 44 has the same shafts as the D30) Locker and gears to match the rear -OR- Buy complete D44 that already bolts in although I think width will be more complex. Gear Ratio: 5.88 This is going to be a trailer queen, seldom driven on the road. With the 2.5L engine I think the 5.88 is the right gears to go with, but I'm just guessing. I'm forgoing the Unimog axles because I'll need more of a shop, the 8" kit I have is too tall and since I already own the D44 rear. So... how does the 5.88 sound? Fender Trimming going to be needed to fit 38s? How much? How wide should I go with the 38s? If I skip the rear disc conversion how much am I going to regret it? Any other comments welcome. :nuts: I hope to start $pending by the next week! *Oh yeah I know it's for an XJ. I'll tell y'all how the front subframe fits after the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 You want to run 38s? What type of wheeling? I see potential problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jage Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 You want to run 38s? What type of wheeling? I see potential problems. Trail riding in Indiana. Problems such as? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Personally, I would just skip right to fullsize truck axles if you want 38s. That's seriously pushing the limits of Jeep axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jage Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 What's the limit for D44s? 36"? The problem is if I go with Dana 60s or Ford 9"s I don't get any benefit from my packratted pile of Jeep parts. I abandoned the idea of Mog axles so I could use my skyjacker kit. Going big is sort of a jump off point from building entirely out of left overs (namely D30/35 fully locked) but at some point the truck just isn't worth putting so much into. I don't know. Anyone want to buy an 88 2WD with an Atlas II installed, no driveshafts and lots of parts in the bed? No seats, slightly (cough, cough) rusted, in Indiana? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 A D44 in a rear application is not going to be happy with 38s. The craptastic TJ front D44 is a jsut that, craptastic. Yeah, it's stronger than a D30, but you've got to dump a lot of coin into it to make it reasonable. I'm talking alloy shafts, CTMs, hub conversion. Even then it still sucks because the ball joints are so small. There's other options. I'm hoping my intended ford/waggy HPD44 hybrid and isuzu 12B will hold 38s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Your pile of parts is probably worth more than a set of 3/4 ton Ford axles, especially if you buy a rusted-out Ford to get them. Or you could run 35" tires. :brows: :fool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Wow.. To run 38's even with the 8" kit is going to reguire some serios sheetmetal trimming :brows: The D44 with alloys, and top of the line parts, and 38's are a stretch. I wouldn't think of 38's on a 9" unless it was the big bearing housing with alloys and 35 spline axles. The front Tj 44 is nothing but a d30, with d44 gears. It uses the same tubes, same ball joints, the only difference is the gears... and I don't know of too many ppl who have destroyed pinion gears yet. I also think your choice of tr4anny is going to bite you in the @$$. Since you have an Atlass t-case.. why not go with a np435. Strong as hel tranny and got a 6.8 to 1 first gear I will buy the Atlas if it is a good price :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 As far as gearing, I think 5.88s will be good with the 4. 38s does push the 44 rear, but how it holds up depends on how hard you wheel. Having discs on 38s'd be real nice if you're going anywhere with speed (in case you decide to Ever slow down), but most full size truck guys don't run em on 38s and the trucks are alot heavier. On the other hand, know one said they've got brains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jage Posted July 6, 2006 Author Share Posted July 6, 2006 I also think your choice of tr4anny is going to bite you in the @$$. Since you have an Atlass t-case.. why not go with a np435. Strong as hel tranny and got a 6.8 to 1 first gear I will buy the Atlas if it is a good price :D The choice of tranny was based on what was laying on my garage floor, just like the choice of lift kits and the choice of D44 rear (although that's actually been leaning against the wall). If I wanted to buy a tranny I would have put a 2006 TJ 6 speed (just cause it's weird) behind the 4.0L engine sitting on my trailer; well I did want to buy a tranny, but at the time I didn't want to spend any money - just buying the new clutch for the AX5 was a stretch. So now that's in and I'm looking at my axles and the D30/35 aren't really worth putting in unless I'm going to stick with 32s or 33s and take'er easy... that being the cheap route and suddenly not the only one available I'm thinking why waste money on 33s and time on the axles etc. I would probably be happy with 36s on D44s front and rear, but that's the sort of thing I ought to figure out before I move forward, what with the gears and all. Just to make things interesting I'm trying to look forward to a move so my extended pile of jeep parts and unfinished MJ is starting to look like a nightmare. I've put so much work into it so far and I hate to waste effort and money. I'm starting to feel a bit schitzo about this whole project. Now, where's the smiley with the tinfoil hat got to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 It's odd what axles will and won't survive. I know guys running stock D44 shafts with 38s (open carrier) and alloys locked. They aren't easy on them. But that's the limit. But, if you're running a lot of weight or power, 36s is about the tops... Depends on terrain too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 IF it tells you anything we have a guy in our club running 38's on a 4 banger yj with the np435, and np231 t-case. He has dutchman alloys, with yukon superjoints p front, and yukon 35 splines in the rear, no issues. Then we have a propane powered cj7 on 36 SXs and he has a d44 up front, and he is popping them left and right. I have 35's with yukon alloys and I am breking shafts as well. Loyd he has a rubicon, on 33's and he just broke his second short side axle on it. Like Dirty said.... Its all about wheeling style, and what forces and moons line up to cause breakage. I just see to many flaws in your plans. IF you want, I will trade you a good np435 and a good np205 for your atlas2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bounty Hunter Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Those axle setups should hold up behind a 2.5L engine. Good choice on gearing, I'll be using 5.38 with 35" tires and the 4banger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooter Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 D44s will live with 38s, just have to be smart and pick lines correctly. I know of several friends with D44s and 38" Boggers witout issues. (Either locked or spooled) Run a 38.5x11.00 Bogger, or 18x12.50 Swamper TSL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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