Which is stronger?

4x4Mudmonster · 06-13-2008, 09:12 PM

OK so I am thinking about getting front and rear Dana 44s for my TJ. But I can't decide whether to pick the Mopar Performance Rubicon JK Dana 44, or the Parts Warehouse Dana 44. I was just wondering is the Mopar stronger than the Parts warehous, or is it the otherway around.

**jays-tj** · 06-13-2008, 09:17 PM

What spline axles do each of them have in them?

4x4Mudmonster · 06-13-2008, 09:31 PM

The front Partswarehouse has 30 spline, and the rear has 33 spline. And the splines on the Mopars are...I don't know those.

rmack · 06-13-2008, 11:06 PM

do you know that the jk dana 44 is not a direct bolt in?

2005X · 06-13-2008, 11:20 PM

i would save the money from the front D44 and just add some cromoly shafts. and i think the JK 44 is gonna be alot more work than need be, go with the direct bolt on from a TJ rear D44. thats my setup. Tj D44 with cromoly and D30 with cromoly and im running 36s with no issues

4x4Mudmonster · 06-14-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepcurious

i would save the money from the front D44 and just add some cromoly shafts. and i think the JK 44 is gonna be alot more work than need be, go with the direct bolt on from a TJ rear D44. thats my setup. Tj D44 with cromoly and D30 with cromoly and im running 36s with no issues

I might do that, and then save up the money to get the D44 front...but I like the cromoly shafts for the front...thanks for the advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmack

do you know that the jk dana 44 is not a direct bolt in?

Yes I do know that.

**Jerry Bransford** · 06-14-2008, 10:28 PM

I'd avoid any D44 front axle that used the same 297 or 760x u-joints the factory D30 uses. That's the weak link so you're not really gaining usable strength. Not to mention the factory front Dana 44 uses the same axle tubes, u-joints, knuckles, and inner/outer C's as the D30 does.

4x4Mudmonster · 06-14-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I'd avoid any D44 front axle that used the same 297 or 760x u-joints the factory D30 uses. That's the weak link so you're not really gaining usable strength. Not to mention the factory front Dana 44 uses the same axle tubes, u-joints, knuckles, and inner/outer C's as the D30 does.

Well these are supposed to be stronger than Rubicon axles...at least thats what 4WD hardware says...

**elkfan2** · 06-14-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Mudmonster

Well these are supposed to be stronger than Rubicon axles...at least thats what 4WD hardware says...

Because they come with chromoly axles.

**jays-tj** · 06-15-2008, 12:11 AM

just my opinion but I would think that if you upgrade the shafts the Partswarehouse one would make it a stronger axle. When I bought my front D44, I upgraded the inner and outer to 30 spline Chromoly and I bought my rear D44 I upgraded to 35 spline chromoly. One thing I wish I would have done for the front is looked for a high pinion. My front driveline hits and rubs the RE belly pan when I'm articulating.

Does anyone know if the front jk D44 is a high pinion?

tjbrotha · 06-15-2008, 12:46 AM

sorry to hijack, but i've always wanted to know (since no one ever talks about it) what does the spline count matter, and how can the higher number affect the axle?

**Unlimited04** · 06-15-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjbrotha

sorry to hijack, but i've always wanted to know (since no one ever talks about it) what does the spline count matter, and how can the higher number affect the axle?

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/drivetrain/129_0501_4x4_truck_axle_tech/axle_strenght.html

The higher the spline count the more surface area present to distribute torque, and therefore the stronger the axle shaft.

**spyder6** · 06-15-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jays-tj

just my opinion but I would think that if you upgrade the shafts the Partswarehouse one would make it a stronger axle. When I bought my front D44, I upgraded the inner and outer to 30 spline Chromoly and I bought my rear D44 I upgraded to 35 spline chromoly. One thing I wish I would have done for the front is looked for a high pinion. My front driveline hits and rubs the RE belly pan when I'm articulating.

Does anyone know if the front jk D44 is a high pinion?

yes it is, according to the engineers

**Jerry Bransford** · 06-15-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unlimited04

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/drivetrain/129_0501_4x4_truck_axle_tech/axle_strenght.html

The higher the spline count the more surface area present to distribute torque, and therefore the stronger the axle shaft.

To that, a higher spline count also gives you a larger diameter axleshaft which is the main reason it is stronger.

06-15-2008, 12:46 AM	#11
tjbrotha Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 132 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	sorry to hijack, but i've always wanted to know (since no one ever talks about it) what does the spline count matter, and how can the higher number affect the axle? __________________ and don't forget to wave ! 97 I4 TJ SEDone 8/13/07: DPG Ultimate Suspension kit: DPG Trailgunner Coils, Old Man Emu HD Shocks, JKS 1.25" BL + 1" MML, JKS Front and Rear Adjustable Track Bars, JKS Quicker Disconnects, 31" BFG A/Ts daily driven 33" BFG A/Ts Wheelin, Personally made Hand Throttle, Airaid air filter, goin for more asap Asking a Jeep to be fast is like asking a brick to fly.-Airborne4X4