Topic: good price for a dana 44

[stan98tj]

Im getting ready to regear and ive been thinking over different options. Id like to go with 4.56 and i was thinking about swapping out the d35 for a 44. Quadratec has some complete d44s with gear ratio of your choice and some have elockers (all things that i want) BUT, they are listed at $2500-$3000, well over what i want to spend. does anyone know where i can get a d44 for under $1500?
I did a quick ebay search and found one for 350bucks but it is off a  ZJ...am i in for a pain in the ass fabrication job to make it fit?
they state it is missing brake pads and parking brake bands.
here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-ZJ-Dana-44-Rear-Differential-Axle-3-73-Wrangler-TJ-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4aa8b3b1e6QQitemZ320657928678QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

if it's not too bad of a job to fit it for a wrangler i think this would be worth the price. But i dont know what would have to be done to make it fit.

[neale_rs]

$350 sounds pretty good if it is in good shape.  You can get the brackets pre-made and ready to weld on so it won't be a big fab job.
However, the ZJ D44 is nor recommended due to the aluminum center section.  It would be better to get one from a Cherokee or Comanche, or an Explorer Ford 8.8 (with disk brakes) to make it easier to find.

[stan98tj]

$350 sounds pretty good if it is in good shape.  You can get the brackets pre-made and ready to weld on so it won't be a big fab job.
However, the ZJ D44 is nor recommended due to the aluminum center section.  It would be better to get one from a Cherokee or Comanche, or an Explorer Ford 8.8 (with disk brakes) to make it easier to find.

so the d44 from the grand cherokee is not as strong as the d44 from a cherokee? Is it still stronger than a d35? do our 4bangers put down enough power to cause a worry?

[Jeffy]

$350 sounds pretty good if it is in good shape.  You can get the brackets pre-made and ready to weld on so it won't be a big fab job.
However, the ZJ D44 is nor recommended due to the aluminum center section.  It would be better to get one from a Cherokee or Comanche, or an Explorer Ford 8.8 (with disk brakes) to make it easier to find.

They also use C-clips and non-standard gears.

If you're going to bother swapping axles do it right and do it once.

[stan98tj]

They also use C-clips and non-standard gears.

If you're going to bother swapping axles do it right and do it once.

im going to be changing the gears. does that take care of the non standard gears? im not sure what C-clips are.

[Jeffy]

im going to be changing the gears. does that take care of the non standard gears? im not sure what C-clips are.

No the carriers are different as well.

In short, a ZJ D44 isn't worth swapping.

[stan98tj]

No the carriers are different as well.

In short, a ZJ D44 isn't worth swapping.

damn. and i thought i was doing well. most of the prices im finding for d44s are 1600 bucks and above.

[stan98tj]

so back to square 1. does anyone know where i can get a d44 for under $1000?

[Bounty Hunter]

Junkyard.  Look for a mid '90s Isuzu Rodeo or Honda Passport for a d44 rear axle with disc brakes.  It'll have a 6-lug wheel pattern but makes for a perfect match to a Wagoneer front d44.

Or look for an 8.8 from a '95+ Ford Explorer.  It has disc brakes and same 5x4.5" lug pattern as you currently have.

Either axle will run $150-$250 at most junkyards.  The 8.8 can be found with 4.10 gears, the Rodeo/Passport d44 will have either 4.10 or 4.30 gears.

[stan98tj]

Junkyard.  Look for a mid '90s Isuzu Rodeo or Honda Passport for a d44 rear axle with disc brakes.  It'll have a 6-lug wheel pattern but makes for a perfect match to a Wagoneer front d44.

Or look for an 8.8 from a '95+ Ford Explorer.  It has disc brakes and same 5x4.5" lug pattern as you currently have.

Either axle will run $150-$250 at most junkyards.  The 8.8 can be found with 4.10 gears, the Rodeo/Passport d44 will have either 4.10 or 4.30 gears.

as for the rodeo/passport is there a way to change the lug pattern without using an adapter? and is that a complicated/expensive fix? Also, is it a direct fit?

[aw12345]

If the width of the passport or rodeo axle is the same as a Jeep Dana44, you could simply swap axle shafts or run a set of wheel adapters

[stan98tj]

id like to make sure the honda/isuzu dana 44 is the correct width. i dont want it looking stupid when im done installing it. I havent found anything relating to size or width of the axle. Most info points to having to shave/modifiy to allow for the correct lug pattern. anyone know if the Honda/Rodeo d44 are the correct width?
Oh and one more thing. From reading online ive run accross people saying that these honda/rodeo D44s have C-clips. What are they and why is that bad?

[neale_rs]

If you are swapping out only the rear axle and want the EXACT width, your best choice will be a Cherokee Dana 44.  A Rubicon D44 would also work but they are slightly less sturdy.  I have a dodge pickup dana 44 in my YJ that is also the exact right width and has the stock bolt pattern.  I got this axle here in Mexico (many times the same truck is sold in the US with a corporate axle and in Mexico with a dana 44) and have no idea if anything similar can be found in the US, but it could be that these axles are to be found in junkyards if you look around enough.  Any other rear axle will have a slightly different width, usually not enough to matter or look dumb but still slightly different.

[VA_YJ]

In response to your question about c-clips:

C-clips are "C" shaped retainers that prevent the axle shafts from moving out of the carrier/housing/tubes.  The axle shafts have a circumferential groove machined in for the c clip to slide into.  This groove reduces the diameter of the shaft in that one spot (the inside tip), creating a weak spot in the shaft.

I am using a Ford Explorer 8.8 on my TJ - the 8.8 has c-clips, but the shafts are 31 spline, so it's less of an issue.  I have the Superior Super 88 kit with c-clip eliminator and chrome moly shafts.  You don't have to change your wheels with the 8.8.

[stan98tj]

If you are swapping out only the rear axle and want the EXACT width, your best choice will be a Cherokee Dana 44.  A Rubicon D44 would also work but they are slightly less sturdy.  I have a dodge pickup dana 44 in my YJ that is also the exact right width and has the stock bolt pattern.  I got this axle here in Mexico (many times the same truck is sold in the US with a corporate axle and in Mexico with a dana 44) and have no idea if anything similar can be found in the US, but it could be that these axles are to be found in junkyards if you look around enough.  Any other rear axle will have a slightly different width, usually not enough to matter or look dumb but still slightly different.

yes i want the exact (or as close as i can) width. i am only replacing the rear. The honda/isuzu d44 measures in at 58" and i think the d35 is 60" or a hair over. i dont think i want to go more narrow as this would pull the wheels in and they are in close enough in the rear as it is. Im also going to have to look for a dana44 that has a center diff. i think this eliminates the wagoneer d44s because they have a passenger side diff (i think). I didn't know the Cherokees came with dana 44s. What was the model/year truck that you got your axle from, neale? I know a lot of ppl are suggesting just putting in a ford 8.8. I kind of wanted to keep the jeep as close to what chrysler offered as possible, so i wanted to keep dana axles in there. I think if this becomes too crazy i may just have to go with a ford. Ive been reading that the d44 isnt all that much stronger than the d35 anyway.  according to torque tests the d35 is rated 4,000-4300 lb.ft  and the d44 is only 4600-5000lb.ft.  However, it seems the ford 8.8 is narrower by 1.25" than the d35 and i dont want to end up having my wheels pulled in closer to the frame in the rear.