I have a 2000XJ and i want to step up to a 44/9" setup. I am considering either EB axles or full size either kept stock length or shortened. Some time next year i would like to be running 37's(stepping up from 35's). A few problems i see with EB axles are that for one, the weak 260 joints on the 44 and two the 28 splined 9". I know the 9" can easily be upgraded to 31 splines no problem, but the 44 is a different story from what i understand. Now on to the full size axles. I have a set from a 78 1/2ton. This is good.......or not. I know i have the stronger HP44 with reverse cut gears(i think flat top knuckles too....havent seen them yet) and the 31 splined 9". The deal is i personally know nothing about shortening axles or the costs involved. I could leave them full size, but how wide would i be with 12.50 tires and 8" wide rims? I know i can come in a little bit with more backspacing but how deep can i go? One more thing ive been wondering about is ive seen guys re-use the radius arms. Is this a good idea or should i just go with aftermarket XJ LA's? I will note that this is my DD. Im not a pu$$y that demands anything close to a smooth ride, but it does need to be driveable. I will have to drive long distances so safety is pinnacle. Oh and the biggest issue with full size axles is i will have to conform to the state regulations on base. I gotta be able to get the tires under some flares. For the most part. If im wrong in any of this, correct me with extreme prejudice :D Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

Ok, first input suggestion is to post it on the newbie area, before you get flammed.

Second suggestion is to check out bad ass xj's thread on the board, doinga search, there are all kind of setups over there, and some sweet XJ's.

Since the XJ is your daily driver, and ou are concerned about obeying the law :D, tires under flares, etc, full widths are probably not the best option for you. You are also vague, should mention your wheeling style, and taht will help dicate what kidn of axles you should look into.

Gui

from 35's). A few problems i see with EB axles are that for one, the weak 260 joints on the 44 and two the 28 splined 9". I know the 9" can easily be upgraded to 31 splines no problem, but the 44 is a different story from what i understand.

The EB D44 could be upgraded to the 297x u joints with Warn or Superior axle shafts ;)
I would go with the EB stuff for your application. If your XJ is a DD, and you are in a strict state, then you should not go fullsize.

i thought about posting in the newb area, but this is a question about a jeep......not a newb. Not tryin to be a smartass and step on toes, but im a grown up not an infant.

Ah yes, wheeling style! I am getting more and more into rocks. Anything technical gets me goin. Ive done alot of research and i have looked at tons of XJ's with many different setups. Im kinda lookin for advice on my specific setup.

And i dont see why i would get flamed when there is someone asking for help with a D30 in JT. Ive realized D30's are only good for scrap........if that

ok, just warning ya, the question is newbie, you will probably get buruned soon.

To help you out, for street driving and off-roading why are you going with 37's? That seems more bling than actual wheeling, but your call. recommend you doing some seach (i.e. great post on "topless cherokee progress" tread a few threads down).

The EB 44 is a sucky axle, and you will spend more to get it in decent shape. The best options for you if you want a 44 front and rear, are Grand Waggy 44's, no need to resize (a few inches wider than stock xj). will need to isntall new coil pucks in front, and perches in the rear, of course.

My suggestion is for you to keep running 35's, honestly. If you go bigger on tires, full width is the best option, period. Again, that will make the jeep less road worth it.

Suggestions:

1-post this on newbie thread:
2-search for XJ threads
3-setup a budget
4-the simpler and more bang for the buck is to get a 44 rear, and chromoly front inner axles for your D30. The 8.25 you have in the XJ is not that bad of an axle.

Q?

Have you broke anything axle wise yet, running 35's? What lift do you have? 37's will most likely mean you will need to do some sheetmetal cutting on the XJ, period. Basically if you are doinga lot os street driving with it, does not make a lot of sense, aside from the bling factor :D

D30's are not that bad for the front, if you are planning to keep stock width. Have a couple spare inners for the trail. The d30 you have already has 297 u-joints, teh same as was suggested to upgrade on the EB 44 :D You can beef up the 30 a bit to keep your Jeep streetable, and 44 rear, and call it done. Again, your rig, your call, but 37's will not fit without severe lift, and some chopping!

again, you mentioned your specific setup, but your posting is still broad. What suspensiopn are you running, how much lift, etc? Honestly, do some search on the board first. Check out the thread topless XJ, and bad ass XJ's, not sure what is so specific about your setup???? 44 and 60 or 9 inch are pretty common. good luck!

i thought about posting in the newb area, but this is a question about a jeep......not a newb. Not tryin to be a smartass and step on toes, but im a grown up not an infant.

So? We don't care if its Jeep or not, it's still newbie. So I will be the smartass for you, and say go to the kiddie pool :flipoff2:

Ah yes, wheeling style! I am getting more and more into rocks. Anything technical gets me goin. Ive done alot of research and i have looked at tons of XJ's with many different setups. Im kinda lookin for advice on my specific setup.

So wait....you have an XJ, that you are completely changing, and you have seen all kinds of setups, cant decide on what you want, but want our advice on your specific setup? Wait....what?


And i dont see why i would get flamed when there is someone asking for help with a D30 in JT. Ive realized D30's are only good for scrap........if that

You have potential young grasshopper.....now where is that D30 thread........

:flipoff2:

Lol :d

Ok lets see here. My apologies for not specifying. 37's will be for the trail............i should have said that in the first place. Yes ive had problems with my 8.25 and D30. My D30 is slightly bent and the ball joints are totally shot and its only got 48k on it. My 8.25 i broke two shafts. I dont feel comfortable running these axles. Overbuilding seems to be my choice i guess. I run 5" with alot of trimming. With 6.5" i'll be able to fit 37's no problem. Oh i run rusty's springs with his Adj. trac bar and RE CA's.
I know it would be LOGICAL to do something low key like find an XJ D44 for the rear and put in a waggy44 in the front, but i dont like logical. As soon as i find a tow rig, my 2000XJ will no longer have a top and will have a nice sexy exo :D Not to mention 38's and blah blah blah. I play hard so i need somethin that can keep up.

If you are breaking a 29 spline 8.25 (as installed in your stock 8.25) you will be breaking D44s as well.

D60s front and rear is what you need.

r@m

Ok,


So, again, check out Bruiser (Ken Carter's) XJ, it is a sweet setup. My recommendation is to check around the board for setups that look like something you would like to have on your XJ. There are so many optins out there, for every taste and budget. I personally do not like 9 inch fords due to the low pinion, and had one on a YJ, and hit a bunch of stuff on teh pinion. Best bang for buck would be full width, Ford 44 front HP, and rear 14 bolt Full Floater. They are both full width, and I would leave them as that. Get some hummer beadlock wheels, setup front steering with arms that can support that and you are within a few inches to what you currently have in your rig.

Good luck!

Gui

Best bang for buck would be full width, Ford 44 front HP, and rear 14 bolt Full Floater.

You didn't like the pinion dragging on a 9 inch and in it's place you recommend a 14 bolt????

How about recommending a plow instead since he's only running 35s (I know his plan is 37s). It would drag about as much as the 14 bolt. Don't get me wrong, I like 14 bolts and have one, but it has to match the tire size. Even with 37's mine drags quite a bit.

Drag for drag, the 9 inch pinion is a pain. Like I said, bang for buck, the 14 bolt is the best deal, period. Cheap to build, and plentifull, and can be built for about $600 (gears, Detroit and install kit) in parts, and the axle goes for around $100-200 maximum, can not beat that.

he said he is going for rocks, so the 9 inch is not a pratical option in the long run, plus a higher built cost. The 9 inch third member built will run about $1000 with detroit), more with an ARB. Then upgrade shafts to higher spline count if they had low spline set. Plus axle cost. In the end, will cost almost twice the 14 bolt build.

Shave the 14 bolt, and get about same clearance. Plus, the 14 bolt would be a nice full floater setup. Also he mentioed that he does not like logical, so if the XJ is already a but trimmed and lifted why not go 38's and get it done well?

Not trying to start a discussion here, that is my opinion :D

I put eb axles in my Jeep. I even reused the radius arms. They work fine for me, but... that's because they were free. Allready geared and locked, and with one ton steering, and they came with rims as well. If I were going to save up and pay for some axles it would be 60's.


http://members.cox.net/carlinenicole/new%20axles.jpg

http://members.cox.net/carlinenicole/front%20atra.jpg

http://members.cox.net/carlinenicole/rear%20atra.jpg

Rio

You guys are a bad influence :D Thanks for the advice!! This is whats gonna happen:

Ive got a 9" and 44 from a 78f150 already. If the 9" doesnt work out i'll sell it and go with a 14 bolt and shave it like you suggested, gui. Throwin on spring pads and shock mounts is no big deal. I decided to go full width. If the MP's dont like it they can buy me some skinny BFG's. Now for the steering. I havent seen the D44 yet but the guy who is giving it to me says its complete from hub to hub. Flat top knuckles right? If so, fabbing up the steering will be easy. Im wondering if it would be better to use the radius arms or weld on XJ mounts. Would the geometry be correct if i used the radius arms? I will still have to move the radius arm mounts wont i? Wish i could do some measuring. Maybe this is a good time for leaves :D

Now for the steering. I havent seen the D44 yet but the guy who is giving it to me says its complete from hub to hub. Flat top knuckles right?

Nope. Not on that axle unless it came out of a crew cab F150.

You can reuse the radius arms if you make a new crossmember for them. If you are going to go down this route, I would suggest either wristing one arm, using some type of high-misalignment bushings (johhnyjoints, etc) in place of the stock bushings, lengthing the arms to tuck them up tighter to the belly, or all of the above.

You can go leaves, but with that particular axle, I'm pretty sure it has the cast in radius arm mounts. That will make it harder to mount with anything OTHER than radius arms, unless you want to retube it.

Jay