3.07 D44 v 3.55 Chry 8.25

[navigator]

My MJ currently has the 3.07 D44 to go with my 5 speed.

i have a 98 XJ with the 8.25/AW4 that i expect has 3.55 gears.

 

The 98 XJ needs an engine so I'm contemplating my options....

 

Just kind of curious if you guys would swap the front/rear ends to get the lower gears in your MJ?

 

is it a lot of work or is it mostly a direct swap except for the perches in the rear?

Are there driveshaft length considerations as well?

 

Another question, if i do the swap, could i do spring over in the rear (~5 inches) with the XJ shackle (-1) to give 4 inches, then do 3 inch springs in the front (I like a little rake).

 

my end goal for the MJ would be to some day have a 3-4 inch lift with 31 inch tires. I don't really wheel, just beat around in the woods and would like the look.

 

thanks,

Chris

[Pete M]

I would always swap for lower gears. :thumbsup:

 

The XJ shackle is, A: too short for an MJ's leafpacks, and B: only drops the truck 1/2"

[navigator]

ok so is it a simple bolt on swap except for the perches?

Can I put my old MJ front/rear end back under the XJ if needed?

 

Any sensors or anything that won't match up with the new axle?

[kar120c]

If you had the Dana 35 I'd swap, but since you already have a 44 I would just re-gear. Seems like a lot of work to move from 3.07's to 3.55's. 31's would work "ok" with 3.55's but I'd recommend 3.73's. My 8.25 had 3.07s and a 5spd trans. When I put my 3.5" lift on with 31's, I upgraded to 3.73's. I only do light offroad but if I did more serious stuff, or had an earlier non-HO 4.0, I'd go with 4.10's.

 

This is just me though. :D

[FireFighter32]

Personally I would keep the D44 and just regear the axles to the ratio that best serves the tire size you plan to run. There is a ratio chart somewhere. Plus the D44 is stronger than the 8.25.

[Geonovast]

His 8.25 is a 29 spline, so it'll be close in strength to a 44.

 

Regearing generally isn't cheap unless you know someone who can do it for free/know how to do it.

[navigator]

yeah, I'm unlikely to re-gear. The 3.07 does pretty well for what i need I was just thinking the 3.55 would be better, especially if I ever go to 31 inch tires.

 

Is it a simple pretty much bolt on swap? I know my 88 has the vacuum disconnect stuff and the 98 doesn't but is it pretty much a bolt on? I know I'll have to weld on the perches, anything else? Any drive shaft considerations?

[Pete M]

the front brakes changed. you'll need to keep the different eras together as a set. be sure to cap the vaccum source for the old front axle. Other than that, the front should go right in. :thumbsup:

[navigator]

Thanks Pete on the back it should be pretty much the same except maybe the DS. Anyone know if I'll need to modify the DS or are the D44 and 8.25 pretty much the same length.

[Pete M]

My brain is telling me that the 8.25 is some where between the 44 and 35 in snout length, so it should work just fine. :thumbsup: