D44 axle hunt........

[Dr. Righteous]

Hey Guys.

I don't own a full size Jeep but my interest is for parts mainly.

I have a '94 Grand Cherokee trail rig and it is time for an axle upgrade.
What I REALLY want is to D44s front and rear because to I want to upgrade to 33" MTs or possibly 35" MTs. The stock axles just can handle those tires sizes and be reliable also.
I know that the many of the older full size Jeeps came with D44 at both ends.
What year should models and years should I keep an eye out for in my hunt for axles??

Thanks

[J4GRAND]

For driver's drop Dana 44s, you want to look for 80-91 Wag/Grand Wags and 80-83 narrow track Cherokees for the front and 86 1/2-91 Grand Wags for the rear Dana 44. The 80-86 rear axle was an AMC 23 which is the same internally as an AMC 2o with one-piece axles. Also, the 83-84 front 44s had the troublesome vacuum disconnect so try to stay away from those.

[Dr. Righteous]

For driver's drop Dana 44s, you want to look for 80-91 Wag/Grand Wags and 80-83 narrow track Cherokees for the front and 86 1/2-91 Grand Wags for the rear Dana 44. The 80-86 rear axle was an AMC 23 which is the same internally as an AMC 2o with one-piece axles. Also, the 83-84 front 44s had the troublesome vacuum disconnect so try to stay away from those.

Great info! Thanks,

What is the low down on the "wide track" and the "Narrow track" FSJs??
I am probably after narrow track axles.

BTW, I have nothing against the older FSJs. I actually looked for a older Cherokee but gave up because everything I found was beat up or rusted to the ground. I settled for a Dodge Ramcharger. But the problem is the trails in East Tennessee. Most trails tend to be very narrow and a full size vehicle will bet pretty beat up in the woods. I never liked taking body damage so I switch to this ZJ with is no wider than a regular Jeep Wrangler. Does great, but the axles are weak. (D35c and a D30 front)

[J4GRAND]

The wide track axles were the ones used on the J series trucks and the w/t Cherokeees- the ones with the flared fenders. They are approx. 8" wider (I think) than the n/t axles used on the Wagoneers and n/t Cherokees. I believe the n/t axles would work better on a ZJ unless you don't mind the axles sticking way out of the whel wells. Do a search for "axle width"- there's a chart somewhere with all of the dimensions.

[-Bluegill-]

BTW, I have nothing against the older FSJs. I actually looked for a older Cherokee but gave up because everything I found was beat up or rusted to the ground. I settled for a Dodge Ramcharger. But the problem is the trails in East Tennessee. Most trails tend to be very narrow and a full size vehicle will bet pretty beat up in the woods. I never liked taking body damage so I switch to this ZJ with is no wider than a regular Jeep Wrangler. Does great, but the axles are weak. (D35c and a D30 front)
You're dead on about our mountain trails around here. Even Windrock will give some trail rash, but Royal Blue especially. I don't mind the "battle scars" because mine is a dedicated trail rig that I have little money tied up in. Full size is more fun. :thumbsup: If you want to try REALLY tight trails, come up to Johnson City & I'll take you on Stoney Creek (USFS).

Yes, you want narrow track axles (all Wagoneers and Cherokees without the fender flares) - they're very close to YJ/TJ/XJ/ZJ/WJ width. Wide track axles are ~6" wider

[yankeedog]

Momma drives 99 grand cherokee . dana 44 was an option for it.might be a better idea to look there.

[Rainman]

Momma drives 99 grand cherokee . dana 44 was an option for it.might be a better idea to look there.

Only in the rear and the center section is aluminum and has limited after market support

[mattmopar440]

I dont know the wheel base on a grand chero but and 87 cherokee had a dana44 there hard to find but it might bolt up :thumbsup:

[noflyzone]

You've got a lot of work ahead of you swapping leaf spring axles to the coiled GC. But really those GW axles should be easy to find. I have set for sale but you can probably find some closer.

[yankeedog]

[quote=Rainman]Only in the rear and the center section is aluminum and has limited after market support[/quote

I was not aware of the aluminum center . but am pretty sure the standard ratio is 3:55 and it is set up for coil springs it just might be the easiset way to go.

[Dr. Righteous]

Momma drives 99 grand cherokee . dana 44 was an option for it.might be a better idea to look there.

Yes, I considered that but it has an aluminum center section. Aussie locker made a locker, but they have since discontinued it. Aftermarket parts are limited and are more expensive that a regular steel D44.
My ideal setup will be 4.56:1 gears, Elocker in front. Detroit Tru-trac in the rear. Can't afford to build a trail only rig. Have to drive this on the street too. I have a Aussie Locker in the D35c right now and driving it on the street isn't too bad once you get use to it, but the tire wear is highly accelerated. Far from ideal for a daily driver.

[Dr. Righteous]

I dont know the wheel base on a grand chero but and 87 cherokee had a dana44 there hard to find but it might bolt up :thumbsup:

Yeah, those are ideal but VERY hard to find. I went to a salvage yard here recently and they much have had 30 XJ out there. Every one had a D35c. :(

[Dr. Righteous]

You've got a lot of work ahead of you swapping leaf spring axles to the coiled GC. But really those GW axles should be easy to find. I have set for sale but you can probably find some closer.

Yeah, this will be an expensive way to go. At this point the D35c needs a rebuild. Not going to invest any money in it. Another popular axle swap is the Ford 8.8 from under an Explorer. tough axle. But I always liked the idea of D44 front and rear with lockouts since this vehicle will be driven on the street quite a bit. I have to have a dual purpose vehicle here. Alot of my wheeling buddies have sold their rigs and quit offroading because it was too expensive.
They had a rig built for trail only which generally means it wasn't registered, ragged, no sway bars which makes it not to safe on the highway. They had to trailer them everywhere and gas was eating them up. Last time out I rode in comfort on quad coil springs and had the AC going and tunes playing. The other guys were eating dust and pouring sweat. When the day was over I headed for the highway and they spent another 1/2 hour loading their rigs back up, strapping everything down, etc.

[mattmopar440]

Yeah, those are ideal but VERY hard to find. I went to a salvage yard here recently and they much have had 30 XJ out there. Every one had a D35c. :(

we got lucky and are sitting on one right now for a friend 91 Xj next time we got Ill take a look for you if I find one Ill let you know :thumbsup: