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Dana 44 From TJ

brentox

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Crestwood
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KY
I found a rear Dana 44 from a 2004 TJ on local for sale site. I know its coils and there are some other differences but its complete with disk and e-brake assembly. Searched but could not find anyone that has done this swap. Anyone have any experience or thoughts? Currently running bone stock AMC 20.

thanks, Brent
 

certifiablejeep

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Bedford
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NH
I haven't heard many of them being done, but overall width would be a first thing to make sure it matches and the gear ratio is what?

You can cut all brackets, weld in new ones, set the pinion correctly, weld, etc. but all said and done if you need wheel spacers to make up width, or if you are too wide now and on top of that a gear swap for the front (or rear) all that needs to be factored in I guess.

cb
 

brentox

Member
Member
City
Crestwood
State
KY
I haven't heard many of them being done, but overall width would be a first thing to make sure it matches and the gear ratio is what?

You can cut all brackets, weld in new ones, set the pinion correctly, weld, etc. but all said and done if you need wheel spacers to make up width, or if you are too wide now and on top of that a gear swap for the front (or rear) all that needs to be factored in I guess.

cb
I'm trying to find the width on the 44. I was going to regear anyway so that's not a huge deal. Cant find any type of weld in kit out there so guessing its not a very popular swap and there is usually a good reason for that.
 

brentox

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Crestwood
State
KY
Looks like the width is the deal breaker. I've found info that says the TJ Dana 44 is either 61.5 or 60" if I'm going through narrowing process its going to be for something else.
 

sdsupilot

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OKC
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OK
Width is nearly always the issue with axle swaps on CJs. Pairing a front is also an issue due to frame width vs mounting width and drivers vs passenger drop. I wouldn't consider swapping the rear until you have found your replacement for the front. If you aren't swapping the front, the AMC 20 rear is plenty strong for most applications with a one piece axle kit.
 

rubclt

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Width and bolt pattern are different on TJ. I know you taking rear, but TJ front diff is opposite drop...
 

Randyzzz

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TJ also has 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern so that wouldn't work either. I just went through the same decision process on my build. Find a CJ D44, narrow an Isuzu D44, narrow a D60, or build a Ford 9". I was told by several people that the D44 wouldn't stand up to the continuous abuse of a 6.0 LS. A D60 is stout but hangs down low, especially since I'm on 31" tires. And 5 lug D60 hubs are pricey! Ended up going with a fabricated Ford 9" from Quick Performance. The custom built fabricated housing, HD DOM tubes, welded perches, 31 spline axles, Explorer disc brake outers redrilled to CJ specs, and freight came to $1385. It will bolt right in and be the correct width and offset. (I got quotes of $400 and up locally to narrow the housings I already had.) A nodular housing, Daytona pinion support, true track limited slip, gearset and yoke all set up ready to bolt in this housing is another $1300. That was all within a couple hundred bucks of what I figured any of the other axles would end up costing. So $2685 out the door and you have a killer rear axle that bolts right in.
 

brentox

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City
Crestwood
State
KY
Thanks for all the input. I think I got a little Facebook market place overload when I saw the TJ Dana 44. I'll stay with what I got until I have a reason not too.
 

brentox

Member
Member
City
Crestwood
State
KY
R
TJ also has 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern so that wouldn't work either. I just went through the same decision process on my build. Find a CJ D44, narrow an Isuzu D44, narrow a D60, or build a Ford 9". I was told by several people that the D44 wouldn't stand up to the continuous abuse of a 6.0 LS. A D60 is stout but hangs down low, especially since I'm on 31" tires. And 5 lug D60 hubs are pricey! Ended up going with a fabricated Ford 9" from Quick Performance. The custom built fabricated housing, HD DOM tubes, welded perches, 31 spline axles, Explorer disc brake outers redrilled to CJ specs, and freight came to $1385. It will bolt right in and be the correct width and offset. (I got quotes of $400 and up locally to narrow the housings I already had.) A nodular housing, Daytona pinion support, true track limited slip, gearset and yoke all set up ready to bolt in this housing is another $1300. That was all within a couple hundred bucks of what I figured any of the other axles would end up costing. So $2685 out the door and you have a killer rear axle that bolts right in.
Really appreciate all that information. Good stuff!
 

ag4ever

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If you are going through the hassle of installing a latter Jeep axle in a cj, I’d look towards a JK 44. The JK D44 is stronger than the TJ D44 and earlier D44s found in Jeeps, Chevys, Dodges, etc...

But there would be even more work to be done to make one fit a CJ.
 

mwqpd11

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If you don’t mind wheel spacers narrow track CJ Dana 44s aren’t that hard to find.
 

rubclt

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If you are going through the hassle of installing a latter Jeep axle in a cj, I’d look towards a JK 44. The JK D44 is stronger than the TJ D44 and earlier D44s found in Jeeps, Chevys, Dodges, etc...

But there would be even more work to be done to make one fit a CJ.

I am using JK D44 with electric lockers in project Blue. They are TJ width, otherwise too wide. I am using a TJ coil suspension with a custom TDK Hybrid Frame. The axle drop on front is different, but I am using a TJ Rubicon Transfer Case. Also Bolt pattern is different than CJ. On the plus side much improved brakes and stronger housing for the Hemi 5.7.
59083551-8579-4187-B2DF-0F73F3575906.jpegCE570C49-6F35-4713-8EBE-B43ED69EBD85.jpeg2E890E32-3EBD-4D52-8B26-3BC78ECE7F18.jpegE83BD5C3-14BD-4605-9151-0FC36E930767.jpeg
 
Last edited:

ag4ever

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I am using JK D44 with electric lockers in project Blue. They are TJ width, otherwise too wide. I am using a TJ coil suspension with a custom TDK Hybrid Frame. The axle drop on front is different, but I am using a TJ Rubicon Transfer Case. Also Bolt pattern is different than CJ. On the plus side much improved brakes and stronger housing for the Hemi 5.7.
View attachment 80641View attachment 80642View attachment 80643View attachment 80644

I really wish I had bit the bullet and bought a hybrid frame instead of modifying the stock frame. Would not have been that much more, I could have used an easier to source transfer case, gotten easier to source axles, and been running the improved coil spring setup. It would have made the build go faster too (maybe). Guess I’ll just have to do that on a future build.
 

Rosco1974

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Bolt pattern on a TJ 44 rear is simple if you are willing to buy aftermarket shafts. Several come setup for 5 on 4.5 and 5.5 pattern.
 

Randyzzz

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I really wish I had bit the bullet and bought a hybrid frame instead of modifying the stock frame. Would not have been that much more, I could have used an easier to source transfer case, gotten easier to source axles, and been running the improved coil spring setup. It would have made the build go faster too (maybe). Guess I’ll just have to do that on a future build.
I was so close to doing this on my current build, I just did not want to go through the hassle of selling my stock frame to partially fund the new frame.
 

FLCJ8

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City
Palm Bay
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FL
I am using JK D44 with electric lockers in project Blue. They are TJ width, otherwise too wide. I am using a TJ coil suspension with a custom TDK Hybrid Frame.
Where did you get the axles?
 
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