98 Cherokee Axles - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

terryd · 08-02-2006, 07:27 AM

ok, here's what i got, 98 Cherokee 2dr SE. 4ltr, 5 Speed. its currently geared 3.08. i've got in mind a 2 or 3 inch lift, w/ a rear locker and a set of 31s or 32s.... this is not going to be a really hardcore rig, mainly a trail rider and support vehicle for my buddies 79 F150 rig.... i've got lineups on 2 sets of axles.

ones a set of 30/8.25 (same as now) w/ 3.50 gears out of a 96 or 97.....

the other is a set of 30/44 out of an earlier (88 or 89?) geared 3.50.....

my question is which is the better way to go w/ this??? the 8.25 that's in it now has some massive axle shafts compared the the early 70's rearend we tried to use the posi unit out of, (replaced the pinion bearing right after we bought it, and had the old axle layin around). but is the product availability of the 44 the way to go w/ this type of rig?

bigredjeep1 · 08-02-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryd

ok, here's what i got, 98 Cherokee 2dr SE. 4ltr, 5 Speed. its currently geared 3.08. i've got in mind a 2 or 3 inch lift, w/ a rear locker and a set of 31s or 32s.... this is not going to be a really hardcore rig, mainly a trail rider and support vehicle for my buddies 79 F150 rig.... i've got lineups on 2 sets of axles.

ones a set of 30/8.25 (same as now) w/ 3.50 gears out of a 96 or 97.....

the other is a set of 30/44 out of an earlier (88 or 89?) geared 3.50.....

my question is which is the better way to go w/ this??? the 8.25 that's in it now has some massive axle shafts compared the the early 70's rearend we tried to use the posi unit out of, (replaced the pinion bearing right after we bought it, and had the old axle layin around). but is the product availability of the 44 the way to go w/ this type of rig?

The dana 44 is definately the way to go, but the 97'+ 8.25s had 29 spline axle shafts compared to 30 spline in the 44, but their isn't a huge aftermarket support of them. The dana 44 is the most common axle front or back. Also you can only go as low as 4.56 gears in the 8.25 and 5.89s in the dana 44. If you do go with the 30/44 go with 4.88s that's the lowest and is fine with 35s.

terryd · 08-02-2006, 10:08 AM

ok, thanks for the info on that.

ZJeeper · 08-02-2006, 10:33 AM

ummm wrong forum. an bolt in dana 44 swap is hardly hardcore tech

ZJim · 08-02-2006, 10:43 AM

HP30/D44 is a sought after combination in XJs.

terryd · 08-02-2006, 10:50 AM

it may not be very hard core tech, but i've never been one to ask anyone accept the hardcore guys about things that i want right the first time.....you guys break some hardcore parts, so you've (some at least) probably seen what the axles i'm askin about will do....and altho i'm pretty sure the 30/44 setup will take 32's and lockers no problem, i want input from guys who've been there, broke that.....and all the info is very appreicated guys....

ZJeeper · 08-02-2006, 11:47 AM

it all depends on your driving style, i've seen people run a 30/44 combo with 35's without breaking or a 30/44 combo with 33's snapping shafts on every other obstacle. if youre skinny pedal heavy dont waste money on small axles. but for light trails an hp30/44 would be cheap and relatively strong. throw some chro-mos in there and youd be money for some light weekend wheeling

terryd · 08-07-2006, 10:46 AM

ok. do you think the chrome-moly sticks and some good u-joints with 32's will take a locker? or should i use some earlier cv style axles as fuses for the front end??

butch6924 · 08-07-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryd

ok. do you think the chrome-moly sticks and some good u-joints with 32's will take a locker? or should i use some earlier cv style axles as fuses for the front end??

In a word yes, BUT, as stated before, much of that will depend on your driving style. You bind up that axle with it locked and it doesn't matter if you're running 30's, you'll snap joints and possibly shafts. OTOH, you can tenderfoot a set of 35's and not break things.

08-02-2006, 07:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
terryd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Member # 76997 Location: Covington, Va Posts: 325	98 Cherokee Axles ok, here's what i got, 98 Cherokee 2dr SE. 4ltr, 5 Speed. its currently geared 3.08. i've got in mind a 2 or 3 inch lift, w/ a rear locker and a set of 31s or 32s.... this is not going to be a really hardcore rig, mainly a trail rider and support vehicle for my buddies 79 F150 rig.... i've got lineups on 2 sets of axles. ones a set of 30/8.25 (same as now) w/ 3.50 gears out of a 96 or 97..... the other is a set of 30/44 out of an earlier (88 or 89?) geared 3.50..... my question is which is the better way to go w/ this??? the 8.25 that's in it now has some massive axle shafts compared the the early 70's rearend we tried to use the posi unit out of, (replaced the pinion bearing right after we bought it, and had the old axle layin around). but is the product availability of the 44 the way to go w/ this type of rig?

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08-02-2006, 10:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
terryd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Member # 76997 Location: Covington, Va Posts: 325	ok, thanks for the info on that.

08-02-2006, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
ZJeeper Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30920 Location: Atlanta Posts: 80	ummm wrong forum. an bolt in dana 44 swap is hardly hardcore tech

08-02-2006, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
ZJim Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Member # 24099 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,359	HP30/D44 is a sought after combination in XJs.

08-02-2006, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
terryd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Member # 76997 Location: Covington, Va Posts: 325	it may not be very hard core tech, but i've never been one to ask anyone accept the hardcore guys about things that i want right the first time.....you guys break some hardcore parts, so you've (some at least) probably seen what the axles i'm askin about will do....and altho i'm pretty sure the 30/44 setup will take 32's and lockers no problem, i want input from guys who've been there, broke that.....and all the info is very appreicated guys....

08-02-2006, 11:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
ZJeeper Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Member # 30920 Location: Atlanta Posts: 80	it all depends on your driving style, i've seen people run a 30/44 combo with 35's without breaking or a 30/44 combo with 33's snapping shafts on every other obstacle. if youre skinny pedal heavy dont waste money on small axles. but for light trails an hp30/44 would be cheap and relatively strong. throw some chro-mos in there and youd be money for some light weekend wheeling

08-07-2006, 10:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
terryd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Member # 76997 Location: Covington, Va Posts: 325	ok. do you think the chrome-moly sticks and some good u-joints with 32's will take a locker? or should i use some earlier cv style axles as fuses for the front end??