Dana44

[M.Shadow]

I’m wanting to find a Dana 44 for my 89 Comanche. From what I’m hearing it doesn’t look like it’s going to be easy.  I’m kinda new at this stuff so what I’m wanting to know is what make and year vehicles do I need to be looking for to get a Dana 44 and if they happen to have one that has disc brakes that would be even better.  If the Dana 44 doesn’t work out I have read about the ford 8.8 which with disc would be a 95 or newer explorer I believe.  Any other options that aren’t an arm and a leg.  I was looking online here locally in NW Florida and seen someone selling a Dana 60, is that an option?

[pizzaman09]

There were certainly Comanches with Dana 44s, all the Metric Ton package trucks as well as some others.  I was more than pleasantly surprised that my 90 Eliminator had a factory LSD equipped Dana 44.  

That said, if you are looking for disk brakes, you need to look at newer vehicles, I'm no expert but I tend to remember the Ford Explorer 8.8 is a really good choice and we'll documented swap.

[Pete M]

I like the KJ Liberty 8.25.  plentiful, has disks, and like 99% of them will have 3.73 gears.

[Eagle]

The major drawback to the Ford 8.8 (IMHO) is that it's narrower than the MJ axle, meaning that you need to run wheel spacers.

 

[89 MJ]

You could run an 8.8 out of a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. It is the same width, or maybe a little wider, than the MJ rear axle, has either 3.73 or 4.10 gears, but has drum brakes. Why are you opposed to drums? They aren't that difficult to work on and have more stopping power than discs. Their only drawback is more brake fade, but that shouldn't be a huge issue unless you live in a place where you are on the brakes a lot.

[ghetdjc320]

The KJ Liberty 8.25 is the way to go. It runs 2.5” wider than the stock Dana 35/44 and matches the truck perfectly. Disk brakes are simple to service and self clean which is a nice advantage in certain applications. Plus it’s a relatively easy axle to setup with gears and a locker

[AeroNautical]

11 hours ago, Pete M said:

I like the KJ Liberty 8.25.  plentiful, has disks, and like 99% of them will have 3.73 gears.

Were all 8.25s 29 spline by that point?

[Pete M]

yes.    97 was the changeover year.  

[motownXJdad]

well if youre lucky enough to score a MJ, or XJ dana 44 youll notice right way that the drum brakes are much bigger than the Dana35, or the CH8.25. if youre intimidated by drum brakes don't be. they have more parts yes, but properly adjusted they work just as well as rear discs. Brakes arent "fun" work like lifts, or new shocks etc. so i have professionals do my brake work and alignments, and i do everything else👍

[Pete M]

disks are self cleaning (or at least nearly so).    that alone is why my MJ has rear disks.  I'm never pulling everything apart to clean mud out of my drums again.

[omega_rugal]

any XJ after 97 will have the chrysler 8.25 29 splines, almost as good as a dana 44, same width, lug pattern, easy to find and relatively cheap.

 

cons - drums, requires some fabrication

[75sv1]

I have Ford 8.8 on two XJs. One with 3.73 gears, the other with 4.10s. Both use spacers/adapters. The one has longer bolts and about a 1" spacer. So, the spacer is 'captured'. The Adapter is to accommodate 5 and 5 rims. I also have the Yukon kit to upgrade the axle shafts. That will space out the axles 1". The Ford 8.8 will add 1/2 inch to a lift on an XJ. So, I take it as -1/2 on an MJ. The Ford 8.8 usually have a LS locker and disc brakes. Not always though. There is also the Dana 44 out of the Isuzu. 6 on 5.5 (??) though. So, probably not what the OP should go for. 

[ghetdjc320]

KJ 8.25 nuff said. Right bolt patter, better width than stock, nice sized disks, 3” axle tubes that don’t spin, plenty of locker options, non oversized pumpkin, no shims needed to setup carrier due to adjusters. It has plenty of brackets to remove just like the 8.8. They are also relatively easy to find and economical. 
 

If your swapping front and rear axles that’s a different story

[Pete M]

if by "relatively easy" you mean there are ~50 KJs in self-serve yards within an hour of my house, then you are accurate.