Topic: quick axle question

[officer mike]

CJ d44 or 8.8? now the 8.8 has dics but the d44 is cheaper. this would be going ina tj. what do you guys think? Thanks Mike

[Jeffy]

CJ D44 is too narrow.  Even if you use a widetrack it will be too narrow.  Not to mention the bolt pattern will be different.  Although I guess you could use wheel spacers to make them wider while also changing the pattern.

There are a lot of other choices;  XJ/MJ D44, Scout II D44, SJ D44, Isuzu D44, J-Truck D44, etc... Or go bigger with a IH Travel all D60, J-Truck D60, Ford 9" (LTD/Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car, 4.5" bolt pattern + Disc brakes) Early Bronco 9", Corporate 14 Bolt...  For a TJ, the easiest bolt-in is a TJ D44.  You could also go with a custom axle.  Even with a salvage axle, once you get done with replacing gears, shims bearings, seals, brakes, add lockers, etc, you'll probably have around $1000-1200 invested in the axle.  You might also look on other forums for people selling off their old axles.  There are pretty good deals out there for people upgrading.

[damon54]

Not to hijack the thread, but would you recommend the same for a YJ?

[Jeffy]

Not to hijack the thread, but would you recommend the same for a YJ?

Any of the above but not a TJ D44.  YJ stuff is cheaper since you don't have to worry about brackets.  Perches are $20 a pair and shock mounts are the same.  There are many 8.8" swaps since they are fairly plentiful and easy to do.  I run a XJ D44 though.  If I was to do it over again and stay salvage, I'd probably go with a pair of SJ F44's.  Right now, I might go 9" or D60 when/if funds are available.

[damon54]

I am gonna stick with 33's for a while so I am hoping 8.8's or D44's will be good.  Can you get 4.88 gears for both of these?

[Jeffy]

I am gonna stick with 33's for a while so I am hoping 8.8's or D44's will be good.  Can you get 4.88 gears for both of these?

Yes, both have ratios lower then what your D30 can go to...

[damon54]

Thanks for the info.  I will begin hunting as soon as the engine is finished.

[Bounty Hunter]

Consider upgrading the D30 as well so you can go with low enough gears for the 4banger.  The 4.88 max that will fit the D30 isn't really low enough, 5.13 would be better suited to 33" tires.

I installed an Isuzu Rodeo rear D44 (factory disc brakes) and a Waggy front D44, both with 5.38 gears.  Similar to what they did in a recent JP mag article.  Nice thing is they have matching 6-lug wheel pattern and tons of aftermarket support. Having locking hubs is a sweet bonus.

[damon54]

I am doing some engine mods right now.  Bored 60 over, balancing, performance cam, port matching the head and all the bolt ons.  With the hp increase do you think I would still need to go as low as 5.13?  I really am trying to stay with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern cause I just boought the tires and rims! 

[Jeffy]

I am doing some engine mods right now.  Bored 60 over, balancing, performance cam, port matching the head and all the bolt ons.  With the hp increase do you think I would still need to go as low as 5.13?  I really am trying to stay with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern cause I just boought the tires and rims! 

The engine won't be able to do it's best unless the gearing is within reason.  For the 4bangers, it's always better to go one more gear set lower then you calculate.  This accounts for added weight and less aerodynamics from increased lift.  If you really don't plan on going with tires over 33" and don't want to upgrade the front axle then you're pretty much stuck at 4.88's.  Although you could get a TJ D44 front core and build it up.  This will allow you to keep 5 on 4.5 pattern as well as your outer knuckles from your D30. while sill allowing you to gear lower.  I think it's the only option available if you wanted to keep what you have and still gear lower.

[officer mike]

Damon... I cannot speak from experiance yet but I plan on taking your route. And I am hopeing that it will be OK. no doubt the 513s would be better if u are into the rocks and crawling I guess. But i still think the 4.88s will be ok. For instance I just sold my Xj with 32s the 4.0HO and ax 15 and the gearing was 3.07s and it was greeat. Maybe not the best number for the rocks but on the street is was kinda like a muscle car. And i love when 2nd takes me almost to 60. again not what most ppl want out of thier jeep. But I love it. 3.55s might have been a bit better all round for quickness.

Damon also.. can you please tell me wher you located the pistons for your .60 overbore. thank you Mike

[Rokcrwln]

Damon...you can get axle shafts with 5 on 4.5 patterns. My 9" is dual cut for either 5 on 4.5 or 5 on 5. If you change wheels and bolt pattern you can press out the old studs and press in new ones to match the larger pattern

[damon54]

Damon... I cannot speak from experiance yet but I plan on taking your route. And I am hopeing that it will be OK. no doubt the 513s would be better if u are into the rocks and crawling I guess. But i still think the 4.88s will be ok. For instance I just sold my Xj with 32s the 4.0HO and ax 15 and the gearing was 3.07s and it was greeat. Maybe not the best number for the rocks but on the street is was kinda like a muscle car. And i love when 2nd takes me almost to 60. again not what most ppl want out of thier jeep. But I love it. 3.55s might have been a bit better all round for quickness.

Damon also.. can you please tell me wher you located the pistons for your .60 overbore. thank you Mike

Right now I have Hyperutectic pistons from sivolite part # 3238hc you can get stock .30 and .60. These are a little stronger than cast and run about $150 for a set.  You will have to call them to get a dealer local to you. Also they do not come with rings. www.kb-silvolite.com    If you plan on raising compression or using forced induction you will probably need forged pistons.  Flatlander racing will custom make those for you if you want them but they are around $500 for a set and take 6 weeks to get.  Hope that helps.

I will probably stick with the 4.88s right now to keep costs down too.  I plan to change the rear axle to d44s or the 8.8s but will probably leave the d30 up front for now.  The engine, rear axle, lift and tires are enough for a while!

[damon54]

Damon...you can get axle shafts with 5 on 4.5 patterns. My 9" is dual cut for either 5 on 4.5 or 5 on 5. If you change wheels and bolt pattern you can press out the old studs and press in new ones to match the larger pattern

Sounds good, that will help me keep my options open when I am shopping around.  Thanks

[damon54]

One more thing about the axle swaps! I can't remember where I read this at but the gist was that larger axle tubes can change your height by up to 5/8 of an inch?  Has anyone ever run into this?