Crassis-Comanche Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Hi All, I have found myself a D44 rear axle with disc brakes from a Jeep XJ. It has had the spring perches and shock mounts removed. I have been searching the threads here regarding these items and I have found the Mopar pearches but I am having trouble finding MJ specific shock mounts. Also, can I just install the axle in place with it's disc brakes? I will do the brake booster upgrade this spring/summer. I currently have the D35 in my '88 Pioneer Long bed with auto trans. I am hoping there won't be a need to change rear drive axle or u-joints etc? Sorry for the noob questions and thanks again! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 The shock mounts on your MJ are part of the U-bolt plates, therefore, there aren't any shock mounts on the axle themselves, unless you buy aftermarket ones and weld them on. Doing that, however, on a stock height MJ will cause you to lose up-travel unless you run shorted shocks. Since the 44 and 35 have the same diameter tubes, just reuse your current setup. Be sure you buy new U-bolts because of stretching of the old ones over the years. As for the drive shaft, it'll be easy peasy. The pinion, IIRC, is the same dimensions as that of the 35, and mounts the same way, so just bolt it back like it comes off. As for the disc brakes, that shouldn't be an issue either, but I can not say for sure just because of the load-sensing valve the MJ's have in the back, assuming your even works. If it does work, you could likely modify the rod length to put more bias to the rear since the calipers will need more fluid to adequately brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I also swapped in a MJ D44 to replace the D35 and had a couple of small problems. The shock mount plates themselves with the pins will work fine with both the 35 and the 44, but the reinforcement plates under them would not. That's because the D44 u-bolts are slightly thicker (1/2" standard duty vs. 9/16" heavy duty) and won't go through the reinforcement plate holes. You can either egg the reinforcement plate holes a little larger to accommodate them, or use the smaller u-bolts. I recommend the former.The D44 snout sticks out about an inch longer the the D35, so you will need the driveshaft shortened slightly.I also have disk brakes on my D44 and retained the stock load sensing valve. To compensate for the additional bias needed by the disk calipers I fabbed up an Adjustable Rod that I could dial in for optimum rear disk braking that works well. This rod can also be lengthened if you do a lift later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Ok thank you both as this gives me a little bit of clarity especially regarding the shock mounts (that they are not part of the axle and the bolt dimensions). So Don do you think there is a way to use the D35 mount plates but purchase and use the reinforcement plates from a D44? Or are the reinforcement plates part of the shock mount? I am guessing I would have to enlarge the holes in both the D35 shock mount plates and the reinforcement plates? My truck is not here to see my setup and I have never worked on an axle before. As for the drive shaft I am guessing a machine shop or a garage would be the place to have it done? Would the stock drive shaft of a 2WD MJ with a D44 bolt up? Is that an option? I planned to try and build the extendable HS valve rod you did on your truck as I am planning to do a 3" lift too. So that would be a double reason to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Hi All, I have found myself a D44 rear axle with disc brakes from a Jeep XJ. It has had the spring perches and shock mounts removed. Something is very wrong. The XJ never had rear disk brakes -- not in any year, and not on any axle. I'm guessing you found an axle from a ZJ Grand Cherokee. If so, DO NOT BUY IT. It has an aluminum housing that's prone to bending, and the internal parts are not 100% compatible with a "real" Dana 44 axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Eagle's correct of course. If it's from a ZJ it's the less-than-stellar D44a rear axle. But you stated the axle came from an XJ, so I assumed someone had already done the conversion to rear disks. Is this the case? This diagram will help with your other questions on MJ shock plates (#5) and reinforcement plates(#12): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Dagnabbit! I have been online since my original post and have only been able to find references to disc brake CONVERSION and not STOCK disc brakes which I guess reaffirms what you are saying Eagle about not having factory disc brakes on XJs. Needless to say this bums me out! Sorry Don yes I was told it was an XJ but sadly in my ignorance I didn't know to ask if it was Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. I belive the owner had purchased it from someone else but he does not know anything about the axle's history. Well I guess it's back to hunt for that elusive D44 (with drum brakes! :brows: ). Anyway thanks to you all for the advice and help and I now know a lot about D44 axles than I did a couple of hours ago! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 Have you considered an 8.25 w/29 splines or 8.8? Cheaper, stronger, & easier to find. The MJ/XJ D44 is weaker than the average D44 ( smaller tubes) and is overpriced IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I have an MJ dana 44 that I no longer intend to use, do you want it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Hey Nic I'll thanks for the offer and I'll send you an email :thumbsup: Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Members helping members. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Well I'd like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Nic (Wiggilez) for hooking me up with the MJ specific D44 he has and I am excited to build it up and put it under the Comanche! He has helped get one step closer to building the MJ of my dreams! :bowdown: And thanks again to everyone who helped me out on this thread so I could have SOME idea of what I was doing! :thumbsup: You guys have no idea how much it's helped and how much I love CC! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FPQlXNH36mI#t=6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yxmj Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Since we are all Canadian and sharing the love....I would like a bolt in 44 as well please... :Canadaflag: Thank's eh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Since we are all Canadian and sharing the love....I would like a bolt in 44 as well please... :Canadaflag: Thank's eh Sorry man, only have one of those laying around, but I do have a bolt in dana35 that has only seen "minor" abuse :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 Well I just got back from picking up the D44 and I am really excited to work on this thing! Everything was perfect and it was good to talk Comanche Shop Talk with Nic again! But I had the dang A-Team theme song stuck in my head the whole drive home! Thank's a lot for that Eagle! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Open or limited slip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share Posted February 24, 2016 Limited Slip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 Nice!! I have a MJ 44 with LSD and 3.07 gear ratio, too. But, I'll be selling it once I pull it lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 Well I will re-gear this one to 3.55 to match the front I think for purposes which will be 70 per cent pavement and 30 percent "off road" as in logging roads, mountains etc. this will be a good combo with the AW4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Limited Slip! How do you know? Did you open it up? Can you read the full 8 or 10 digit p/n on the tag? If it is a factory limited slip axle, for sure the LS clutches are worn out as the pics look like the axle cover has never been off. When you regear, be sure to replace the clutches also. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 Just going by what I was told but tomorrow I will check on the tag and remove the cover and have a look. I will post photos too for those with more knowledge to confirm (or deny) :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 It looks like the p/n on the tag is 53005416. If so and it hasn't been altered sometime in it's life, it is a limited slip 3.07 axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crassis-Comanche Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 You can tell that from the photo? That's awesome and thank you for the head's up Don! When I pop the cover off what am I looking for exactly in there? Are the clutch packs on either side of the case what makes it limited slip? Do they all have that S-spring in there? Ok I will post some photos ASAP but it sounds like you are confidents based on the ID tag. Thanks again! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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