I am considering purchasing a RD44 for myYJ. I have one in mind from a late 80's XJ. I realize this is a good swap especially because I am running the stock rear axle with a locker and 33's. My question is the rear end I am looking at is stripped to the backing plates. Are the drums from this rearend special or are there donars out there.
thanks everyone
AKAfatguy:beer:

Fat Guy,
If yall keep eat'n all da chicken, you's gona need a 60 in da rear.
Welcome to the board,
Turtlehead

i don't know much about the stock YJ axle, but if it's a non c-clip axle, you can take the backing plates, and ALL the brake hardware (including the drums) and slap it on the cherokee 44.

the cherokee 44's run bigger drums (i think they're either 11"X2/5" or 10"X2.5" don't quite remember, too much of this :smokin: lately makes me :rasta: )

It shouldn't be too bad, you might need to make a spacer for the other backing plate, and you may be able to use the current backing plate and swap on your brake hardware and drums.

Try it, and see what happens.

If I recall correctly, you should be able to just bolt on your existing brakes. If not, the D44 parts should be in stock at any Napa. The last time I checked was earlier last year and they had them in stock.

I belive that axle uses 10 inch drums that is the 5x4.5 bolt pattern right? Good luck. I just sold one like that complet for $150

Check the backing plate bolt pattern. A XJ Dana35 and Chryco 8.25 backing plate will not fit a XJ Dana44, of 87 vintage at least.


Jes
I have a Jeep

Jes,

I beg to differ...I had 8.25 in my XJ.. went to a TJ 44 that my buddy sold me cheap..MY BACKING PLATES BOLTED ON FROM THE 8.25... another buddy has a c-clip 35 (had).. his backing plates bolted on his 44 he installed in his TJ..I have 4 backing plates in my garage all from different late model Jeeps and they are all the same... just thought i could help!

Milkman:flipoff2: :emb2:

milkman,


I just swapped in a 44 of '87 XJ vintage. I had a Chryco 8.25. The 8.25 backing plates did not fit, and no I'm NOT on crack! :D The backing plate bolt pattern on my 44 is symetrical(the bolt centers top and bottom are the same). On my 8.25 the bolt centers are closer on the top. It just shows that AMC/Chrysler was all over the place when it comes to interchangability.
Yes, it says newbie next to my name but I know XJs.

And :flipoff2: to you too! :beer:


Jes
I have a Jeep

Jes,

I must be something unique about the older 44's in the XJ.. It doest matter.. I am going to Disc soon, gathering the parts as we speak.!!

milkman:flipoff2:

Discs.....sweet, drool! :)
I may go that route eventually but I must say the 10" drums seem to be working for me O.K. The 4.56s and OX are good too!


Jes
I have a Jeep :flipoff2:

here's the deal with the flange bolt patterns.

84-89 (and some 90) D35's have the same flange bolt pattern as the 87-90 XJ D44 (the XJ part is IMPORTANT)

(some 90) 91-present d35 and corp 8.25" diffs have the same flange bolt pattern as the TJ d44's (the TJ part is IMPORTANT)

if you know the difference between the c-clip d35's and the non c-clip 35's, that's where the difference in flange bolt pattern occurs.

If you can't tell the difference, well then :flipoff2: :rainbow: