Dana 44 Beef-up

[cherokee83]

Hello, interested in beefing-up 1980 W/T Dana 44 Front/Rear Differential
also interested in J20 1985 front/Rear Differential
any and all information thanks

[rang-a-stang]

When you say "Beef up" Do you mean make it stronger or are you saying you want to add gears/lockers/rear discs?

Dana 44 is relatively stout. You have MMMMAAAANNNNNY options for gears, lockers, and LSDs because they were put in so many rigs. A J20 Dana 60 is inherently stronger but you have to beat on a D44 to really show it's weakness compared to the J20 D60s.

If you have access to the J20 axles, take them both so you have matching hubs (J20's have the 8 lug wheels so you will have to swap wheels, too). I am fairly certain they are a bolt in swap (someone please correct me if I am wrong). If you don't have access to J20 axles, buy the gearset/locker/LSD that fits your budget and needs for your D44s. Keep in mind almost all FSJ axles were open, so just getting a set of J20 axles under your rig is not going to make it any more off-roadable, it'll just be more reliable with huge tires and lots of torque (huge meaning 36" and bigger). My personal opinion for a rig that is 75% or more street, stick with the D44 (it's lighter) add a LSD to the rear (like a Trutrac) and either a lunchbox locker or a Detroit locker for the front.

[cherokee83]

When you say "Beef up" Do you mean make it stronger or are you saying you want to add gears/lockers/rear discs?

Dana 44 is relatively stout. You have MMMMAAAANNNNNY options for gears, lockers, and LSDs because they were put in so many rigs. A J20 Dana 60 is inherently stronger but you have to beat on a D44 to really show it's a weakness compared to the J20 D60s.

If you have access to the J20 axles, take them both so you have matching hubs (J20's have the 8 lug wheels so you will have to swap wheels, too). I am fairly certain they are a bolt in swap (someone please correct me if I am wrong). If you don't have access to J20 axles, buy the gearset/locker/LSD that fits your budget and needs for your D44s. Keep in mind almost all FSJ axles were open, so just getting a set of J20 axles under your rig is not going to make it any more off-roadable, it'll just be more reliable with huge tires and lots of torque (huge meaning 36" and bigger). My personal opinion for a rig that is 75% or more street, stick with the D44 (it's lighter) add a LSD to the rear (like a Trutrac) and either a lunchbox locker or a Detroit locker for the front.

Gears, Lockers, Rear Disc brakes also i was told J20 Diff. has a larger spline 35 front/rear, any information on 35 splines for Dana 44 nevertheless $3,500 in wheels and tires for 6 lugs, is it possible to swap 8 lug J20 to 6 lugs

[fsj454]

jeep dana 60 rear

I put a jeep dana 60 in there rear of my 1982 Cherokee . Must change spring perches to bolt in and use as is. As for the axle splines mine was 30 spline from factory . I put 35 spline alloy axles in rear jeep dana 60 but you will have to ream out spindles to fit larger axles. 8 on 6.5

[rocklaurence]

The J20 front is a D44 with larger hubs--they will switch over to 6 lug hubs with the 6 lug caliper brackets. The J20 has 30 splined shafts but the housing is much heavier and stronger than a D44. Note: you can get a few D44 carriers with 33/35 splines.