Need help with gear ratios with Dana 44

[harding9641]

I’m doing the MJ XJ conversion on my 2WD 88 Comanche using a 4 WD 5 speed 98 Cherokee as my donor. I also want to upgrade the rear axle with a Dana 44. I’ve locate a Dana 44 from a Comanche and the tag on the differential says 3.54. Do I look for a front axle with that same 3.54? Can the ratios vary at all from the front axle to the rear without complications? 

[Pete M]

the number can vary, but not more than .02   

 

for example: 4.09/4.10/4.11 are all essentially the same.  the number comes from dividing the teeth and those can vary a bit depending on axle size.

 

3.54/3.55 is the most common XJ ratio out there so it should be easy to find.  95-99 are the best

[WahooSteeler]

While you've got everything apart and are looking for a front axle, good time to make sure you've got the ideal gear ratios in there depending on how you plan on using the truck. Daily driver? Off road? Hardcore or mostly trail running? And most importantly, what size tires? The 3.54s with 5 speed should do very well up to 31s and even 32s, but if you're going with bigger tires than that or think you might later down the road, 3.73s or 4.10s might be worth considering. All of that may or may not fit your budget now or how you plan on using the truck for now, but that all may change down the road and might help you decide what to get during your current search. 

[derf]

Various comanches and Cherokees came with different axle ratios.

 

2.5 four cylinder models tended to have 4.09/4.10/4.11 gears.  Automatic 4.0 six cylinder models usually have 3.55/3.54.  Manual 4.0 six cylinder models tend to have 3.08/3.07.

 

You want the same ratio front and rear or "bad" things happen when you shift int 4WD.

 

If you change tire size you should consider changing the axle ratio to match.

[Pete M]

oh, and car-part.com can help with your junkyard searches.  

 

also, also, you'll want to remember the year of the axle you buy, as the brakes/bearings/etc changed over the years

[Andy in Pa]

4 hours ago, harding9641 said:

I’m doing the MJ XJ conversion on my 2WD 88 Comanche using a 4 WD 5 speed 98 Cherokee as my donor. I also want to upgrade the rear axle with a Dana 44. I’ve locate a Dana 44 from a Comanche and the tag on the differential says 3.54. Do I look for a front axle with that same 3.54? Can the ratios vary at all from the front axle to the rear without complications? 

 

You may not want to use the front axle from the 98 5spd XJ, unless your using the rear as well.  That axle is probably 3.08 gears.  Pretty much any axle out of an "automatic" XJ from 99 down to 95 would be better. 

 

Are you swapping the 5spd and center console to the MJ?  If not, I would be interested in the 5spd shifter boot that mounts into the console.