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Author Topic: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60  (Read 8264 times)

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Offline raf2379

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Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« on: March 12, 2009, 01:07:04 PM »
Has anyone with an Xj done a HP D44 and a D60 swap here? I've read on some swaps done in the states like the John Laurella's 95Xj The Badger. there is also one more pearson did it on an 01 XJ.  Both of these rigs used the 78/79 F250 axles and it looks like it worked out great for them, but my XJ will see lots of pavement and i'm wondering if the full width axles will be much of a concern and 35" tires on pavement. i read here that lots of axle swaps been done on YJ's and TJ's but cant find much info on local XJ's with D44's or D60's. Maybe i'm just not searching deep enough. Any suggestions for axles from other trucks jeeps? The wagoneer came with a D44 up front in some years correct? would that be a choice for an XJ? The plan is to run 35" tires, long arms and lockers so i want some strong axles. I was thinking about the Ford 8.8 with disk brakes, but the D60 can be converted to disc brakes as well. And then reading some posts here, i've seen the D44 and ford 9" combos as well on Yj/TJ but not XJ's. the only other small issue with the axles from F250 is that the 15" rim will not clear the calipers and i would have to swich the rims for 8 lug rims, which is not that big of a deal. Maybe some of you more experianced guys can help me decide on a best axle combo for my XJ. I'll visit the junk yard this week and check if any axles are avaliable.

Thanks
Raf

Offline BlackYJ

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2009, 01:36:36 PM »
A D60 will be overkill for 35s and really reduce clearance.  44s front and rear or a 44/9" combo would probably be a better choice
'95 YJ with a few mods

Offline JackstandJohnny

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2009, 01:48:29 PM »
if  you are going to stay with 35s, you could probably get away with keeping a D30 up front too.... swap in a set of chromoly shafts, or a super 30 kit if your going to run a locker, and that should hold up to your 35s. trussing its probably a good idea too.  a Waggy 44 is another good option too though.  9" out back works, or a ford 8.8 works too. either would be sufficient for 35s definitely
~ rescue green JKUR on 35s.  typical rubicon build

Offline Immortal

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2009, 02:04:23 PM »
Great.
Now I have waaaaaaaaaay more work and $$$$$ to spend.
if we were smart with our money we wouldn't own Jeeps.
Here's your cup of STFU... ENJOY!

Offline JENSSEN

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2009, 02:08:56 PM »
I have a D44 and a 9"  and 35in Pitbulls my XJ,.. They have stock axles, spooled rear and E-Locked front,.. I have had zero issues with Durability and frankly I am not nice to it,.. Watch 07 or 08's Highriders videos and it will attest to the punishment they will take. If you want to take a peek at how mine is set up your welcome to stop by,..
www.racingforthecure.ca


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Offline XJHERO

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #5 on: March 12, 2009, 02:12:22 PM »
there are 2 waggy diffs at pnp 200 a pop brakes and all
low pinion
i have one at home that im gona build
still have not found a rear too match
Like ivry soap....pure as frack
DD
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Offline SwampSinger

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2009, 02:16:04 PM »
I run 37" Rockers with HP 30 and an 8.25... with aftermarket axles... so far so good ... it works well for me

Offline SwampSinger

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #7 on: March 12, 2009, 02:17:22 PM »
ok ... I might have to change a few unit bearings and ball joints.. there and there (I'll say it before you do Bill   ;))

Offline XJHERO

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #8 on: March 12, 2009, 02:20:05 PM »
and there is an rear xj 44 at pnp 100$
Like ivry soap....pure as frack
DD
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Offline Immortal

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2009, 02:20:40 PM »
chromoly axle upgrade Dom?
if we were smart with our money we wouldn't own Jeeps.
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Offline BlackYJ

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #10 on: March 12, 2009, 03:25:14 PM »
chromoly axle upgrade Dom?

Yes in both axles
'95 YJ with a few mods

Offline raf2379

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2009, 03:48:20 PM »
Jenssen out of which vechicle did you use a Front D44 and the rear 9"?  so i guess a D60 would only be a good upgrade if i was planning on running 37's or larger tire? a D44 out of an XJ would be an easy upgrade in the back, but would the 8.8 or a ford 9" be a better choice? 8.8 are probably easier to come by and some say its a bit stronger than the D44. i dont mind the fabricating work, i have all the tools i need for welding.

Offline Bnine

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2009, 03:53:05 PM »
8.8 arent as wide as jeep axles. An XJ would definately need wheel spacers  due to that fact.

Just something to keep in mind.
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Offline cLAY

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2009, 05:11:17 PM »
I built an '89 XJ with a D44/D60 combo. Ran 36" IROKS on it. Clearance on the diffs was not an issue but I did shave off about an 1" off the bottom of both diffs. Surprisingly the rear D60 drums and larger D44 calipers worked well with the stock XJ system and could lock up the 36" tires. Specs were, D44 front with 5.38 gears and posi, D60 rear spooled, 36" IROKS, about 9" of lift(custom short arm).





I used the "narrowest" full size D60 I know of, its was from a mid 80s dodge 3/4ton and has a 65" WMS. I paired this up with a front D44, the housing was from a "wide trac" waggy and the knuckles were from a Dodge 3/4ton to match the D60 bolt wheel lug pattern. All Dodge D44s from 1980 thru to 1993 come with flat top knuckles and can be had in either  5 or 8 bolt wheel lug patterns. Also the spring perches on the rear D60 match up almost prefectly to the XJ spring width making it almost bolt right in(have to fab shock mounts).

 The D60 is because its CHEAP, parts are EASY to find, and its pretty much bullet proof in a 4.0L powered XJ. My rear D60 is now in its third wheeling rig and all I've ever done is brakes and oil. Its also been spooled since day one. A D60 is about the only axle I would trust to spool since its a "Full Floating"  axle. Meaning that NONE of the vehicle weight rests on the axle shafts so you could break one and keep on driving with no problems. Some people even pull the rear shafts if they plan to flat tow the vehicle a long distance.

The D60s biggest draw back is its 8 bolt pattern which means you have to run an 8 bolt pattern on the front and there in no easy way to change this.


My XJ was a great trail rig but I would never daily drive it. In fact I don't think anything over 33s can make a decent daily driver. To get tires that big means big lift and then the steering and control arm angles get all screwed up, plus fuel economy and power go out the window, even if you do regear.

My advice for a daily driver/trail warrior XJ, coming from someone who has built a mild XJ and DD'd it and then built it big;

Get good quality lift kit under 5"
Run 31 or 33s and trim fenders to fit.
Spend the money to get a good quailty steering kit
Selectable lockers front and rear
Stock diffs with chrome moly alloy axls shaft kits and a hub kit fro the d30

An XJ with 33s and selectable lockers and good suspension articulation will go more places than with 35s and poor suspension flex, it will also be easier to build, more reliable and nicer to drive. Think more about how many hours you'll be DDing it on the street vs driving it on the trail.

..

'93 ZJ, 5.2L, lifted/locked/36s..<gone>
'98 5.9er 4.10s,locked,LA,WJ knuckles

Offline i_go_commando

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Re: Xj with full width axle's. D44/D60
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2009, 10:18:11 PM »
i have 2 d44 for sale. ones from a 73 commando and one is from a 78 ish waggy $200 bucks each
1973 jeep commando -amc 360, 727,203/208, waggy d 44 and amc20- soa, OBA- on hiatus
1958 fc 170 cabover quad cab 3/4 pickup.continetal engine/ 700r4/ dana 300 current project