[gyrusx]

i am a newbie, and wanted to know what was the difference between dana 44 and the standard M35 axle on TJs. An explanation in plane language will be great.

thanks

[river rat]

The 44 has a lot stronger housing, and axle shafts than a 35.

[BNovak]

bigger (diameter) and stronger axles basically. May have a bigger Ring and pinion gear set but I cant' personally vouche for that.

I won't say un-breakable, but definently sturdier than the standard D35's on the TJ. Generally used when running tires bigger than a 33"

If your jeep doesn't say RUBICON on the side, you MOST LIKELY do not have D44's (unless they have been swapped in, or it was a custom build from the dealer.)


--BN

[04JeepTJ]

You can't currently get anti lock brakes on a d 35. d35s and 44's are only available on the rear of most jeeps except for the rubicon which has somewhat of a d 44 in the front.

[racinghoss]

Originally Posted by BNovak

If your jeep doesn't say RUBICON on the side, you MOST LIKELY do not have D44's (unless they have been swapped in, or it was a custom build from the dealer.)
--BN

Not true. Many TJ's have D44 rears from the factory. All of them up here do (Alaska, I need to change my profile). Just check the build sheet or look at the rear end itself. D35's have a rubber plug and D44's have a threaded steel plug. That is the easiest way to tell.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by 04JeepTJ

You can't currently get anti lock brakes on a d 35. d35s and 44's are only available on the rear of most jeeps except for the rubicon which has somewhat of a d 44 in the front.

Absolutely ABS (antilock brakes) is available with the Dana 35c axle. ABS is not available with the Dana 44 though.

The Dana 44 has bigger and stronger ring & pinion gears plus bigger and much stronger axle shafts than the Dana 35c does. The Dana 44's housing is also bigger and stronger than the Dana 35c's is, although the axle tubes used on the TJ's Dana 44 and Dana 35c are identical to each other in thickness and diameter.

The Dana 44 is so much stronger than the Dana 35c that it's well worth a little extra effort to buy a TJ that already has one since the Dana 44 will cost a LOT more if you buy it after the fact.

[blupupher]

And don't forget the fact that the D35c has c-clips that hold the axle in place, and if the axle breaks, the tire/axle will come out.

[gyrusx]

thanks for all the answers.

I will need ABS since the roads are real slick and they dont salt the roads here...i will use the jeep for offroading 1-2 times per year, thats all the time I have, and probably not take it to the hardest trails anyways...any recommendations?

[04JeepTJ]

Get you a Sahara with ABS..... like me

[04JeepTJ]

Originally Posted by racinghoss

Not true. Many TJ's have D44 rears from the factory. All of them up here do (Alaska, I need to change my profile). Just check the build sheet or look at the rear end itself. D35's have a rubber plug and D44's have a threaded steel plug. That is the easiest way to tell.

I think he meant D44 front and rears. No TJ except for the Rubi has D44 fronts.. well and the forthcoming Unlimited Rubi..

[drottie]

Rear D44's seem attainable, although not cheap, for those of us with D35's wanting to swap. For the front thought, except the rubicon axles, I don't believe there is a bolt-up replacement for the D30 most (all stock) of us have. maybe if we can get some feedback from those that have done it, on what vehicles/years make good donors for front D44's. How much should one expect to spend to have it narrowed? I think Rubicon Express sells the kits for around $300 with the control arm mount, shock mount, Spring perches, ect that weld on to the donor.

[Jerry Bransford]

A front D44 isn't that big of a help since it still uses the same size u-joints as the D30 does and when something breaks up front, it's usually the u-joint or "ear" on the inner and outer axleshaft that holds the u-joint in place. You're really better off replacing the front D30's axleshafts with heat treated 4340 chromolly axleshafts from either Warn or Superior Axle. What really causes most front axleshaft failures is the ear that holds the u-joint stretches and distorts, allowing the u-joint to slip out and then smash itself in half, taking one or both axleshafts (inner and outer) with it. Hardened axleshafts hold the u-joints MUCH more securely and greatly reduce the possibility of that point of failure.

It's really best to concentrate on upgrading the rear axle though since that is what takes the brunt of stress on the trail. Once that is beefed up, like to something like a Dana 44, then the front axle can be beefed up if needed.