Wj V8...dana 44

[88whitemanche]

Do these dana 44 axles fit under our trucks? I know the gearing are different and the perches but are they same length as the xj mj axles?

[Blue88Comanche]

The WJ Axels are wider if I remember correctly, and they have a 5 on 5 bolt pattern vs our 4.5 on 5

[onlyinajeep726]

Pretty sure they are D44a's, which means the pumpkin is aluminum like on the V8 ZJs.  That would make them an undesired axle for any kind of swap.

[88whitemanche]

Ok cool just wanted to know seen a lot of them in the junkyard yesterday a d wanted to ask on here...love this forum thanks guys!!!

[Eagle]

Pretty sure they are D44a's, which means the pumpkin is aluminum like on the V8 ZJs.  That would make them an undesired axle for any kind of swap.

 

^^^This.

 

I briefly owned a WJ V8. It had a lot of problems, and the rear axle was one of the worst. You do NOT want one of these axles. If someone gives it to you, sell it for scrap value and use the money towards a real axle. Don't even think about using it.

[jimoshel]

I wrapped a couple ZipTies around the pumpkin on my WJ. So far still holding.

[88whitemanche]

Ok ill keep on a look out for the early model Cherokees iirc it was from 88-92 when they offered the dana 44.

[johnnyc]

Only 87-89 on the Cherokee. Comanches had them til 92.

[88whitemanche]

O ok cool

[Pete M]

and they are quite rare.  you've got a much better shot at an 8.25 axle found under a lot of 97+ XJs (they used the Dana 35 at the same time so make sure you know the DIFFerence).  It's almost as strong as the 44 and way more plentiful.  :thumbsup:

 

car-part.com might be able to locate any of those choices for ya.

[Bounty Hunter]

And if you can handle a 6-lug axle the Rodeo/Passport rear d44 is a good option.  Look for mid to late '90s for the correct width and look for disc brakes.  Great match to upgrade to a Waggy front axle someday.

[MJ_Milam]

And if you can handle a 6-lug axle the Rodeo/Passport rear d44 is a good option.  Look for mid to late '90s for the correct width and look for disc brakes.  Great match to upgrade to a Waggy front axle someday.

:cheers:  thanks for that bit of info. Had no idea thsat the passport/rodeo even ran Dana 44. Would've never thought to look for upgrades from any of those vehicles

[Pete M]

not only is it a 44, the v6 models had disks and 4.something gears. :D only caveat is the yoke will need to be swapped for a normal ujoint one.

[neohic]

...you've got a much better shot at an 8.25 axle found under a lot of 97+ XJs (they used the Dana 35 at the same time so make sure you know the DIFFerence)...

 

Why did I actually laugh out loud at that?  :oops:

[Blue88Comanche]

not only is it a 44, the v6 models had disks and 4.something gears. :D only caveat is the yoke will need to be swapped for a normal ujoint one.

 

I think the ratio of the d44 I pulled had 4.30 ish gears.  It was something odd, not the 4.11/4.10 we normally use.

[Pete M]

4.10 was also available. and you can get matching 4.28ish gears for a waggy front 44. :D

[HOrnbrod]

:cheers:  thanks for that bit of info. Had no idea thsat the passport/rodeo even ran Dana 44. Would've never thought to look for upgrades from any of those vehicles

Another bit: Most all the Passport/Rodeo D44s had the Trac-Lok diff. This diff will directly swap into any other D44. I used one in my MJ D44 4.10-geared axle using thick gears.

[Blue88Comanche]

 

:cheers:  thanks for that bit of info. Had no idea thsat the passport/rodeo even ran Dana 44. Would've never thought to look for upgrades from any of those vehicles

Another bit: Most all the Passport/Rodeo D44s had the Trac-Lok diff. This diff will directly swap into any other D44. I used one in my MJ D44 4.10-geared axle using thick gears.

lucky, my pick and pull rarely has anything good, i went through 15 passports/rodeos before i finally found one with  trac-lok (or the trac-lok in them was so far gone it acted like an open diff)

[88whitemanche]

I just saw. A 2wd passport with a dana 44 today at the junkyard but don't know if it had trac lock. How can you tell?

[Comanche County]

The first gen Isuzu D44s are appealing.  The second gen are a bit different and wider than our XJ/MJ axles.

 

If you had access to a waggy D44 front, and were going to regear it to 4.56 and go with a 6x5.5" bolt pattern, then that makes an Isuzu 44 with 4.56 gears a much cheaper option than regearing an 8.25 or an 8.8. 

 

This link is pretty good, but it says all first gen Isuzu 44s are drum brakes, not true.  http://www.zu4x.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=21....There are a couple of first gen Isuzu D44s in my local yard that have disc brakes and 4.56 gears. 

[HOrnbrod]

88whitemanche, you gotta open it up to tell. Unless you can jack it up with both wheels off the ground, and turn one wheel. If both wheels rotate the same way, it's a limited slip diff. If one rotates cw and the other ccw, it an open diff.

[johnj92131]

And if you can handle a 6-lug axle the Rodeo/Passport rear d44 is a good option.  Look for mid to late '90s for the correct width and look for disc brakes.  Great match to upgrade to a Waggy front axle someday.

 

Rodeo/Passport axel is 1 inch narrower than the D44 in the Comanche.  Have a 2000 Rodeo and a 91 Comanche w/D44 in my driveway.  Late (98+) Rodeo/Passport with auto trans has 4.10 rear end.  5 speed rear end is 4.30, had one of each.

[Bounty Hunter]

All the 'Zu d44's I've seen with disc brakes are 4.10 or 4.30 gears.  They use a tall ratio carrier and a thick ring gear.  They also have one odd-ball pinion bearing that is a different size than standard d44 install kits.  Easy to cross-reference the bearing you remove so not an issue.