I've definitely noticed the increase in popularity of the Ford 8.8" rear swap into ZJs. Would there be anything wrong with swapping in an XJ D44?

I've definitely noticed the increase in popularity of the Ford 8.8" rear swap into ZJs. Would there be anything wrong with swapping in an XJ D44?

Nope. But it takes the same amount of effort to get it to work and they have drum brakes instead of disc brakes. 8.8s seem to generally be cheaper and easier to find as well.

I found an 8.8 locally (Pending.. hoping it comes through!) for 225 bucks with 3.73s and discs. Good deal? I just need to weld on the brackets and coil buckets right? Does anybody make coil buckets or bracket kits for them though?

Max (RacerX) made his brackets. You can more than easily use your dana 35/al44 brackets on the 8.8. I'm going for bling factor and using MORE brackets. You can use the d44 from an XJ but you may as well just get an 8.8 as the stock 8.8 is stronger than a dana 44. Dana 44 has the aftermarket support but i guess its just personaly preferance. And 225 for a 31 spline ford 8.8 is a good deal. I paid 350 for mine :spank: Besides 225 for disk brakes, 31 spline shafts and a beef housing seems good to me.

I found an 8.8 locally (Pending.. hoping it comes through!) for 225 bucks with 3.73s and discs. Good deal? I just need to weld on the brackets and coil buckets right? Does anybody make coil buckets or bracket kits for them though?

How many times has this been answered?

My own. 3/16" and 1/4" plate and 2"x2"x3/16" for the shock mounts.

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http://www.fototime.com/{8795307A-B5E0-4C3F-99BF-F4508B7F12B1}/picture.JPG

Claytons makes a great kit too. Again, everything is flush with the bottom of the axle. $325 but you get a fancier spring retainer then in the pic.

http://www.fototime.com/{FF1861EB-A928-48B3-96BF-2CA62F5FE8D0}/picture.JPG

No problem finding a D44 for me, I've got one in my garage right now! Originally, I was going to throw it under my MJ but I'm thinking about going full-width with that which leaves me with a spare 44. Not too worried about the disc brakes, I'll swap over from my D35. Thanks for answering my questions.

No problem finding a D44 for me, I've got one in my garage right now! Originally, I was going to throw it under my MJ but I'm thinking about going full-width with that which leaves me with a spare 44. Not too worried about the disc brakes, I'll swap over from my D35. Thanks for answering my questions.

Sell the D44 to an XJ guy who'll pay way more than it's worth and buy a cheap 8.8. XJ guys pay ungodly gobs of money for those D44s, you could probably buy an 8.8 with discs that's the right gear ratio with enough change in your pocket for a lunchbox locker if you sold that D44.....

Yup, I am with robselina.....I sell XJ D44s all the time from $300-$500. $300 here lately because the market has been flooded. But get a desperate Xj dude and they will fork some cash for them things. :cool:

Also, be aware that the stock D35/44a brackets may not fit the bolt pattern on the flange of the Dana 44. I know different D44s have different bolt patterns for the backing plates, etc.

Also, FYI the 8.8s are still c-clip axles....so there exists the same potential for losing your tire and wheel if a c-clip lets go. XJ D44s using a bearing retainer and pressed on bearing to retain the whole shaft. If the shaft breaks, it will remain intact and you can pull it, remove the busted part and reinstal it and drive home on 4 wheels instead of 3. :pant:

I don't think I have ever heard of somebody loosing an 8.8 c-clip... But yea 8.8s are still C-cliped axles and the 44 isn't. Although the 8.8 is stronger.

Although the 8.8 is stronger.

Got any documentation to back that sheeple claim up?

yea I do somewhere... 31 spline 8.8 shafts VS d44 30, larger ring gear on the 8.8, larger pinion on the 8.8... lol

Pick up any Mustang mag and you'll find ton of c-clip eliminator kits that take care of any of those concerns.