XJ questions and information needed

[jpnut]

Ok let's say that I was looking for an XJ and I wanted to get one with a D44 rear axle. What would I look for other than obviously looking at the axle. What years came with them, would it be more apt to be behind a auto or stick, one with a towing package. Where could I find the information that I seek.

Jonathan

[bensredyj]

WOW have you crossed over to the XJ side Jonathan. I know Craig has a 44 for sale that'll bolt into the XJ if you allready have an XJ. I think you are looking for either a towing package or off road package, with skids and tow hooks and a 44 rear but as to what year, havn't a clue.

[jpnut]

It's a secret and I'm not telling. Actually there are at least 5 pre-body change XJ's at wrights currently. One of those would make a good trail vehicle and they already come with dents. Actually not crossing over to the XJ side but did think a little bit about it while I was walking the yard.

And why don't you answer the phone when I called. Got some cuties voice mail instead. Maybe on second thought I would rather talk to her than you.

On a side note, Alex Wright's son Morgan told me that I should put a 14 bolt in my Jeep. Alex said Morgan has the 4 wheeling bug. Maybe we should get him out for the annual run, then maybe we could get better prices on parts.

Jonathan

[bensredyj]

Sounds good to me, next time maybe I would like to accompany ya on the junkyard expedition maybe pick up some tierods and drag links for future trail spares. and lights too!!

Sorry about the phone, thought you had my cell #, yea that the Secretary, Cassie (21). I don't have an actuall number assigned to me so they have to find me

[jpnut]

I do have your cell # somewhere. Regional Correctional Facility on Avon Extended right?

Don't worry, I'll talk to Cassie any time. Let me know when you're going to be out of the office and I'll call then.

Might go back over there next week some time. Not sure yet.

[BIG J]

there is aparently no ryme or reason to why some xj had 44s, the only way to tell is just look at the axle; if its a 35 the center section will be oval shaped, if it's a 44 the bottom will have more of a triangular shape to it, also avoid the crystler 8.25 or something; which has a flat bottom that angles up on both sides. as for the 14 bolt, i would be interested to see what that would look like in an xj, i will however assure you that your new buddy Morgan does not do the same kind of wheeling that we do. 14 bolts are for full size trucks with big blocks and 44s. nuf said

[jpnut]

Ya didn't feel like crawling around on the ground yesterday when I had to go back to work.

Hey now, I probably don't do the same kind of wheeling you do. I just look at the pictures and think some day.

Morgan's a good kid. I want to be his friend because his dad owns the salvage yard. Just kidding. I've know Morgan for a few years, he did some welding for me when I had to make a bracket once. He also knows to ask his dad what my price is. I think we saved Ben $50 yesterday. When I go in, most of the guys know that I only get my pricing from Alex or Morgan. It feels nice to feel important once in a while. Morgan did seem interested in going wheeling tho. Maybe we could start our own junkyard wars.

Jonathan

[jpnut]

I did find somewhat of an answer to my question over the weekend. I was reading the March 03 issue of 4 wheel and off-road and they had a section on Jeeps and what they came with. I think that it said the XJ came with a D44 rear axle between 84-89 but that's about all it said.

[bensredyj]

Hmmm sounds like some good reading. Now was it all XJ between those years, or were they with towing package or off road package? HAPPY HUNTING

[jpnut]

Well it wasn't a really specific list. It would list the engines and the years available, then transmissions and years, t-cases and years and so on. They really didn't say anything like the 87 XJ with auto trans and 231 t-case with tow package had a D44 rear axle. But it's at least a starting point.

[Lyle]

For what it's worth, best info I can find is that the D44 was the "Metric 1 ton" option on the XJ from '87 to '90. Like Big J said, I think you've gotta crawl under them and look. Here's what I found:

Cherokee XJ Dana 44

The Dana 44 axle is an extremely popular upgrade for small to mid-sized Jeeps and other 4x4s. Did you know, however, that all Dana 44 rear axles are not the same? The Dana 44 has been used in lots of vehicles, including Jeep, Dodge, Scout and Isuzu, so naturally there are differences in various axles you'll find. Among the possible differences you'll find in Dana 44 axles are: different bolt patterns, drum vs. disc brakes, axle width, spring perch type and location, and axle tube diameter and thickness, centered or offset (a little or a lot) differentials, and cast steel or aluminum housings.

The best axle to swap into a Cherokee XJ is the one that originally came with the XJ. Best because it's the easiest. Some earlier Cherokees with the Tow Package had the 44 underneath. (If you're still shopping for a Cherokee, spend a little more time and find one with the Dana 44 already there!) This axle is a direct replacement for the stock axle, with no relocation of spring perches or shock mounts necessary. Jeff's research says the Dana 44 was available (but rare) from '87 to '90 in the XJ.

The original XJ 44 can be bolted on to any Cherokee, with a possible modification only to the rear driveshaft. It's a length issue. The Dana 44 pinion is about an inch longer than the Dana 35 pinion, so technically you'll need a driveshaft that's an inch shorter. In my case, my earlier suspension lift offset the extra inch of pinion, so the new axle truely bolted in. Unless you're looking for extreme, Dana 60-class strength, the Cherokee 44 really is the best upgrade for the Jeep.



More here --> www.industryfigure.com/berkeley/Jeep/dana44/

You can infer from the table here: www.samsoffroad.com/samsoffroadsto/ARBAirlockersChryslerJeep.htm that the same axle was used as far back as '78 on the Comanche.

[jpnut]

In my further reading, JP March 03, the best year to find an XJ D44 is the 87 model. Some of what Lyle posted echoes what was in that issue but alas I left it at home. What was I thinking.

Here's an axle article. I haven't read it yet but will later today. www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/62558/

But here is an article for Lyle on what he should do to the Grand www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/78898/
Just don't tell Nena I suggested it.

[TheMaddRamm]

Hey guys,
just to supplement what you have researched, I too have info.

I actually have an '87 XJ with the D44. What was necessary was that the XJ had to have the Tow package AND the fuel injected 4.0L!!! As far as trannies, I have seen a handful of '87s and some '88s with the D44 and they all had automatics; but that is not necesarily conclusive that they *had* to have the auto.

The reason for the D44 is that the fuel injected/TBI motor introduced that year in the XJs was I guess more powerful and the Tow package warranted the extra beef. The D44 was run in them from '87-'89, though the rumors about the '90 still persist; I can't personally confirm it.

Another reason why it was used.....I found out with my project Dana 44s.....they were surplus from the Grand Wagoneers that had the centered D44 instead of the AMC20.....they started the centered D44s on the Grand Wagoneers in '86 I believe; before that it was jut the AMC20s. In '87 with the introduction of the TBI motor/tow package, it seemed only logical to carry the D44 over into the slightly smaller XJ.

Another interesting note....guess I will tell you guys.....but the centered D44s on the Grand Waggys are the identical axles under the XJ! The spring perch width is the same! Jason and I found that out when I took my axle over to have the perches and shock mounts moved.....when we compared the Grand Waggy D44 to the XJ....they were identical. I imagine the shock mounts were close too....but I had chopped those off and Jason put some high clearance ones on.


The referrence to the XJ Metric Ton Truck by Lyle is interesting. The XJ versino of the truck was called the MJ right? Yet there are specific referrences to this XJ Metric Ton Truck....I would imagine that that was probably a foreign model available in EU or South Am...we don't use the metric system....this is why I would guess that is the case

The centered D44s on the Grand Waggys lasted till about '92 when they were discontinued. Supposedly they were in the MJs from the '87 date till '90+. But when you look in manuals such as the XGi from Spicer, there is no direct mention of the "MJ". Maybe that is the HD or XJ utility truck to which they refer.

Also, there is an interesting note that D44s came in the rear of the YJs from the '88 -'96.5 years. To verify, go to www2.dana.com/expert/wc.dll?DSD~deabill~2
and run this BOM 605339. I gained this little tidbit from the Spicer XGi.

After the cluster of years from '86-'92 in the manuals where the numerous referrences to XJs, Waggys and in general Jeeps appear, there are no other referrences to D44 until the TJ came along.

When looking for a D44 to swap in, most all of the D44s in those years, from the examples llustrated, are all nearly identical in perch placement and width. So the Jeep D44 is NOT as rare as it would appear!

Also, as soon as I get my 3.54s installed in the D44 I am working on, my D44 will be for sale.