I am looking at upgrading my YJ a little and wanted to see what you guys recommend. I currenlty have the stock dana 30 and 35 axles, is it worth putting in a inexpensive locker for occasional offroading? Or is it a waste, and just bite the bullet and go to dana 44s? If I need to go to 44s is there a direct swap from another vehicle to my YJ?

Thanks for the help.
Dan

$20 for a Red Star and all of your questions will be answered.

If you're doing mild wheeling the D30 up front is up to the task. The D35 has the potential to bite you in the butt and leave you stranded though. A lot of people will buy an 8.8 out of an Explorer and stick it in place of the D35 in the back. It is a hair narrower, but not enough to worry about. The bolt pattern is the same as the stock D30. I believe you need to have the perches moved, but it is a popular solution for the D35 replacement.

If you want to go 44's the best option for a YJ is a set out of a Grand Wagoneer. I forget the exact years off the top of my head but from the early '80's until the end of the Waggy production were drivers side drop like the YJ. (older Waggy's are passenger drop).

Janster on the board here has an excellent writeup that has a lot of valuable information on it if you are thinking about going 44's: http://www.lieblweb.com/Izzy/Index.htm

D30 is fine for mild wheeling, even locked.
D35 is a turd thoguh so swap an 8.8 in.

I looked at D44 for my TJ. They were too much $$, so I went with the Ford 8.8 which required more work to convert to a TJ versus a YJ.

If would be better if we had more info, like what tire size do you plan on running?

If you are sticking with 31s, I would say the D35 would be fine. I run my D35 with an ARB is 33s for a little over a year and no problems. For a YJ the best rear axle swap would be a ford 8.8, which I now have. If you are easy on the skinny pedal the D35 will stand up a locker and 33s. If not, upgrade.

The D30 can take a lot more abuse. I have seen guys running their D30s with arbs, 36s, and 4.56 gears.

i would agree with what everyone else has said. i blew up my dana 35 on 33's with an open differential. now i have a locked 30/8.8 combo on 35's and i'm really happy with it.

i'm a little more careful now because of the dana 30 and stock shafts, but i'd say lock your front, it's worth it. then start looking for something to swap to in the rear. that is unless you're going bigger than 35s or 36s. then go for the 44s.:D

Waste the 35 and go a 44.

With a YJ you have alot of options as far as axles go, especially for the rear.

I welded My 35 and Borke Both A chrome moly and Standard shafts. With 4.56 and 33's so I am going with a Ford Nine inch Small bearing in the rear and keeping the D30 in the front. Granted the nine it is a small bearing so I can't upgrade my shafts But It should be plently and I do wheel it hard it gets trailered everywhere. Borken or working LOL
Al
PS I have been told not to go with the 8.8. Not strong enough. Just going off what other people have said about the 8.8

D44 from a cherokee from years '87-'89 will swap right into a YJ. I love my D44! no complaints. My D30 has not given me to much trouble.

Ill say save up for new axles. Because after you put lockers. You going to break, and then you have to sell it. When you could have spend the money on acles and axles that last longer. plug. who likes to break down on trails ?

just my 02

Eric

PS I have been told not to go with the 8.8. Not strong enough. Just going off what other people have said about the 8.8

I'm no expert but I have never heard this, including during all the research I did before my build up. From what I remember I believe there are two different 8.8's with different spline counts and durability. The sought after ones are the ones from an Explorer. Perhaps whoever told you that was thinking about the smaller shaft model?

Common consensus everywhere that I've ever heard is that an Explorer 8.8 is good for 35-37" tire stock.

i beleive that you can get the 44's from a scout as well. you have to do something with the camber i believe, but w/e it a 44.

I ran my D35 with a lunch box locker for several years with 31's. Did OK for general trail riding / occasional abuse. I would not trust that set-up though if you favor the skinny pedal, or are into extreme terrain (rock crawler). Back in april we were at the Missouri OR park, and a YJ blew an axle just turning a corner on a hill, so you really never know. Right now I'm running the super 35 kit with OX's, 33's, and a 4.3 TBI. Ok so far, but I would like to upgrade in the future.

From the research I did before my 8.8 swap is the 31 spline axle from the explorer is slightly stronger than a D44, BUT it has c-clips. The 8.8 axles are bigger, 1 more spline, and the axle tubes are bigger and thicker. Now there is a 28 spline axle from rangers I believe, and the housing is the same just different axles and spider gears.

Thanks for all the infomation. I am still up in the air a little as to which will give me the best upgrade for the least amount of money. I know a locker will work in the short run, but a 44 is needed in the future if I get any more serious. If you had to lock a 30 and 35 on a budget and still keep it highway worthy, what would you do?

Thanks for all the information.

Dan

Thanks for all the infomation. I am still up in the air a little as to which will give me the best upgrade for the least amount of money. I know a locker will work in the short run, but a 44 is needed in the future if I get any more serious. If you had to lock a 30 and 35 on a budget and still keep it highway worthy, what would you do?

Thanks for all the information.

Dan


Put a kunch box in the front, and leave the rear open until you can swap it out.

250$ gets you a lunchbox locker.

I put a locker in my YJ then fubar'd the housing and had to upgrade. You should look for a 44 out of a Comanchee or Cherokee and swap that, you would be money ahead. I heard the Scout 44's are about the same width too.

I put a locker in my YJ then fubar'd the housing and had to upgrade. You should look for a 44 out of a Comanchee or Cherokee and swap that, you would be money ahead. I heard the Scout 44's are about the same width too.

Scout 44 front won't work, it's a passenger side drop pumpkin.

ín the end i think that you would be happpier with a 44 rear you have a couple options. scout rear, old cj5 had one i believe, 86 cj7 (if you can fin one). i remember a guy selling a 44 rear for a jeep in the for sale section might want to check it out. people will correct me if im wrong, but i think that a 44 has better aftermarket support and is more upgradeable with 35 splines etc etc than the 9 inch. in the end, i guess it all depends on what you want to do and how much you plan on putting into it.