Topic: super 35 or dana 44

[minespath]

looking to put a super 35 with a arb locker ,have a auto 97 tj with 161000 miles and 31s goin to 32s or 33s down road .its mostly dd ,with lite wheelin ,greens and blue trails.dont know if i want  to go to a d44 axle complete that bolts in from 4wd or qtech,if i can get by with a super 35, also will be puting in 4.56 gears soon

[Jeffy]

I can't see spending $1200-1600 on the D35.  That would go a long way towards a new axle.

[Torch_Ind]

I can't see spending $1200-1600 on the D35.  That would go a long way towards a new axle.

+1 and why not for future gearing!!!

[FourbangerYJ]

Another one for no more money on the D35.

[sharpxmen]

you guys are just envious for the less drivetrain losses on the D35 carrying all that dead weight on the D44 

[4BangerTJ]

+3 on ditching the 35

[DodgeMudder]

If you don't plan on going bigger than 33's the Super 35 kit will be great, I would also consider doing just stock speck cromos and the ARB that way you will have spare stock shafts (not that you should ever need them).  I would also look at going 4.88 gears when you change.

[yjsandaddict]

the cheapest and probably best way is a ford 8.8, I got mine from pick n pull for $145 31 spline, disk brakes, limited slip, and you can find them with gears to match the front, then I saved the money from the back for a front hp44 with an arb, just another option to confuse you, it all depends on what you want to do with it, plus you can still upgrade the 8.8 and still be cheaper than a bolt in 44

[jfrabat]

I have a Super D35 on the rear with ARB lockers and 33's.  So far, so good.  I also took the oportunity to change to the 31 spline version, since i was putting the locker in at the same time, it was the same cost, but more robust.  Now, the reason that people are saying that the SD35 is not as great a choice as the D44 or F8.8 is that the axle is not the only issue with the D35; the housing is also a problem.  A friend of mine that came with us on the river trip (white YJ on 35X12.50 creepy crawlers) actually broke the housing of the D35 (and, as you can see in the video, that was not hard wheeling; although, it may hae been "softened" from previous wheeling trips).  Also, the D44 will give you better gearing options.

I will not presume to tell you what to do, but, if I MYSELF were to do it all over again, I would go with a D44 from an isuzu rodeo or honda pasport and get the rear disc brakes in the process.  Having said all that, mine has not given me any problems so far, but I try not to resolve my stuck issues with excesive use of the right foot!

I also recommend doing the gears at the same time as this mod (if you go ahead with the SD35), as there is no additional labor (since you already need to tear the axle apart).

[4BangerTJ]

I too was askong this same question in a thread a few months back. Do your research. That's all I can say. These guys all have a wealth of knowledge and all they say is true. It will have to be your choice in the end and your money spent. All three axles have pros and cons. Super 35 is the cheaper route to go. Less mods, lighter, but the housing does flex the more you hit the gs and will eventually break. There are a ton of 44 options and they are the next step and will cost about the same to a tad more depending if you get a locker. They are just as beefy stock as a super 35 minus the housing flex. The 8.8 which was my choice will run just the same or a tad more than the super 35 as well but is even stronger than the 44 stock with no housing flex and you get rear disc brakes. The downsideto the is spinning axle tubes which you can eliminate by welding them. I think I am pretty accurate in my info but everyone feel free to correct me if I'm off. Hope this helps.

[VA_YJ]

I'm a big fan of the 8.8, but it's not a bolt-in.  If you have fabrication skills or a bud that does, the 8.8 can provide lots of strength for not much money.  I have the superior super 88 kit and a Blue Torch Fab Works diff cover for my 8.8.  The housing does stick down a little bit more, and it has a "lip" that can hang - we plated the bottom of mine to smooth the hump.

[drunkencityworker]

love my 8.8. i am on 35s with a v8 now and no issues. tubes welded. in retro i would have gone open since lunchbox lockers are cheaper but the lsd has served ok since i am locked in front

[AGUHR]

Dont they replace the S35 for free if you break it as long as you are on the appropriate size tire? What is the real likely hood of a 4cyl breaking a locked S35 with stock gears? A guy in my club has one and runs the piss out of it on 33x12.50s, no truss either.  I'm kinda waiting to see if he blows it up.

[jfrabat]

Dont they replace the S35 for free if you break it as long as you are on the appropriate size tire? What is the real likely hood of a 4cyl breaking a locked S35 with stock gears? A guy in my club has one and runs the piss out of it on 33x12.50s, no truss either.  I'm kinda waiting to see if he blows it up.

Keep in mind, they may replace the shafts, but what if the housing breaks, like it happened to my buddy?  Sure, he runs 35's and a detroit locker on the rear, but still, it CAN happen.  I have yet to damage mine, as stated, but this is one of the few thngs I would do different on my Jeep if I were to do it over again...

[AGUHR]

good advice. I think that just pushed me over to 8.8 and not a S35. I tend to be hard on my stock 35 the way it is bouncing off rocks and such.