Rear XJ Dana 44 to MJ swap question

[big66440]

Hey guys I found a rear Dana 44 off an xj for sale locally and was wondering if you guys could help me recap what is necessary to swap it into my MJ.

 

*Relocate spring perches 

*Get a new drive shaft made

*Set pinion angle

 

Are the widths the same?

Am I missing anything? is $600.00 with disc brakes, 3.73 gears and posi ( don't know which kind) a good price? thanks

[Eagle]

There's one caveat -- the MJ never had rear disk brakes, so the conversion might have changed the overall width. In stock, drum brake trim, the XJ and MJ rear axles were the same width, although the spacing of the spring perches was different (as well as one being SUA and the other SOA).

 

The "posi" is probably a factory Trac-Lok, so you should assume that the clutches are worn out and that it will need a rebuild kit. I think those are running about $100 these days -- maybe a bit more.

[big66440]

There's one caveat -- the MJ never had rear disk brakes, so the conversion might have changed the overall width. In stock, drum brake trim, the XJ and MJ rear axles were the same width, although the spacing of the spring perches was different (as well as one being SUA and the other SOA).

 

The "posi" is probably a factory Trac-Lok, so you should assume that the clutches are worn out and that it will need a rebuild kit. I think those are running about $100 these days -- maybe a bit more.

Thanks eagle

 

Here's a link to the listing  http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/pts/5896639265.html

 

I'm not the most knowledgeable Jeep guy out there but the brakes look like a ZJ set up?

[Eagle]

That doesn't look like any Dana 44 I've ever seen. Is that by some chance a ZJ Dana 44 -- with the aluminum housing? If so, don't touch it.

[HOrnbrod]

Sure looks like a D44a................

[big66440]

I just googled " Aluminum Dana 44 " and you guys are right!!! The extra gussets are a dead give away. I'm glad I posted the listing, thanks for saving my behind.

[HOrnbrod]

From what I've read it's a damn good street axle, Dodge Vipers used them, but offroad - fuhgeddaboudit.

[Eagle]

From what I've read it's a damn good street axle, Dodge Vipers used them, but offroad - fuhgeddaboudit.

 

Not just off-road. Remember, I made the mistake of buying a '99 WJ V8, which had that axle. It didn't say it in the owner's manual, but in the factory service manual it specifically said NOT to jack the vehicle with a shop jack under the rear pumpkin. After some research, I finally found that the reason is the reverse strain of having the weight supported on the pumpkin with the springs pressing down on the outer ends of the tubes warps the housing, resulting in gear noise and premature wear.

 

In addition, the internals don't interchange with a "real" Dana 44.