I put this in the newbie's section 2 days ago with heaps of lookers but nobody actually replied... Thought you guys would be able to help...

Wanting to put stronger diffs in the CJ7, have the chance to buy a 77 Cherokee rolling chassis dirt cheap, does anyone know what diffs are in it? I am pretty sure the front is a 44 however anyone know what the rear would be? (haven't seent the car yet). Also, what is involved with getting them under the CJ7, I know the spring perches will have to be moved however is the pumkin offset to far on the passengers side to get it under there without narrowing? also what about the brakes do they just bolt straight up?

Any help would be greatly appreciated... I normally would of searched if it was working...

Thanks in advance.

First of all ya gotta pay to have the Search function. I highly recommend it if you're just starting out or building a project. There is a ton of b.s. on this site but also a ton of very good tech.
Now, the Chero axles will be Dana 44's front and rear. There were "narrow-track" axles made and there were "Wide-track axles". Narrow track wms is 59-60 inches. The wide-track will be around 67 inches. If the truck has steel fender flares on it that is a wide-track FSJ.
The rear axle will be offset to the passenger side. However, CJ7s that came with auto trannys also had an offset rear. Good luck!

Only CJs with the Quadratrac have the rear offset.

I run 77 Waggy D44s in my YJ (non flipped D300) with an offset rear diff. No ill effects. The rear is SOA so new spring perches were made to get the correct pinion angle. The front is SUA so mild fabbing was necessary to accomodate the SOA front suspension. Stock Waggy D44s are 6 on 5x5.5 and I converted them to 5x5.5 to work with the beadlocks that I had. The rear shafts were redrilled to 5x5.5 then upgraded to Moser after I broke them. The front was upgraded with flat-top knuckles to accomodate hy-steer and the hubs, brakes, and spindles off of a 79 Frod Bronco to get the stronger internal hub.
You could probably run them stock in you CJ with only widening the center-to-center of the springs to approx YJ width.

You can get these and try and find a 81 and newer waggy in the bone yard get the rear out of it it will be center diff m20 w/1 pc shafts, but use the 78 frt because the newer ones the diffs are on drivers side, if you find a 88-90 not shure what year it started but these should have 44s in rear also,ether of the axles are strong enuff for tires up to 37" tall after that you pushing it. Good Luck.

You can get these and try and find a 81 and newer waggy in the bone yard get the rear out of it it will be center diff m20 w/1 pc shafts, but use the 78 frt because the newer ones the diffs are on drivers side, if you find a 88-90 not shure what year it started but these should have 44s in rear also,ether of the axles are strong enuff for tires up to 37" tall after that you pushing it. Good Luck.
I broke both front a rear stock shafts with 36s and a 2.5L:laughing:

Did you ever do this swap? Doing a rebuild on a 77 CJ7 and am looking at buying some widetrack 77 Cherokee 44's. Not sure if the best route will be to shorten them or just remount the spring perch?

I suggest just moving the perches. I have a 78 Waggy Dana 44 front and a rear Scout Dana 44 on my 81 CJ. I also have reverse backspace Allied Beadlocks for a wider stance. If you are going to drive it on the road you may need to check you backspacing to avoid added attention from the police. I like how it handles and the stance is more aggressive. Some guys like the old look with the tires tucked up in the fenderwells. I like the wider stance. Just a matter of your personal preference. Narrowing is not that hard, but most of the time not necessary for 44s.