[birdman52]

Hey does anyone out there have any experience with upgrading from a D35 to a D44 axle assembly? I need to know if drum brake assemblies will readily swap out from D35 to D44 ? Need help fast as D35 is going to fail soon and want to upgrade to stronger axle. My TJ is a1997 TJ Wrangler Sport. The axle I intend to swap into it is a 1998 D44 with Tru Trac .Thanks for any help. Birdman.

[Stu Olson]

Yes, they will swap straight across. I did that when my original D35 was replaced with a D44. Drum brakes came right over from the old axle.

[DavidC]

Ahhhh.....One of the many benefits of a D35 to D44 swap.

[jrtdogbone]

Birdman

Here's a link to help:

http://users.adelphia.net/~jrtdogbone/dana44swap.htm

[James04TJ]

If you go with a Rubi44 you will need to machine the backing plate a little bit to make it work.

[blackZZR]

mine did ....

[JPTJ06]

Hey I'm doing this swap soon, I was going to post this today, but I'll just post it here. I was asking if the same drive shaft will work when doing the swap.

Edit: Just read through the link of the write-up. Answered my question.

[jrtdogbone]

Originally Posted by JPTJ06

Hey I'm doing this swap soon, I was going to post this today, but I'll just post it here. I was asking if the same drive shaft will work when doing the swap.

Edit: Just read through the link of the write-up. Answered my question.

JPT

If you use the dana 35 driveshaft, you'll need at least a 2" lift because the dana 44 is longer. Without the lift the driveshaft spline may slide back and damage the shaft coming out of your tranfercase. Always jack it up without the shocks on till the axle bottoms out on the bump stops and watch to make sure the drive shaft doesn't hit the shaft in the transfercase. A very small lift will allow you to use the dana 35 driveshaft.

The Dog

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[birdman52]

Thanks for the replies to my original post!! Another question about brake assemblies............does direct swap also mean the brake back support plate will fit also as the axle I'm getting is new and comes without any brake hardware including back plate???? Thanks again for any info. Steve K. (a.k.a. birdman52)

[Jerry Bransford]

All Dana 35c and Dana 44 brake assemblies and parts are 100% interchangeable.

[jrtdogbone]

Originally Posted by birdman52

Thanks for the replies to my original post!! Another question about brake assemblies............does direct swap also mean the brake back support plate will fit also as the axle I'm getting is new and comes without any brake hardware including back plate???? Thanks again for any info. Steve K. (a.k.a. birdman52)

Birdman Steve

If you mean the black plates behind the brakes that the E-brake cable is attached to, yes, it will be used in the swap. I just hung it out of the way without disconnecting the cable to the E-brakes.

The dana 44 axles are quite different than the dana 35 axles. The retaining plate, ring, and bearing all get pressed on the axle. This is why the dana 44 axle will not fall off like the dana 35 will when an axle breaks. You can limp home with the front differential. Stu olson has some good write ups on brakes and axles that will help.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.shtml

The Dog

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[birdman52]

Thanks a lot to all who responded to my questons of D35 to D44 swap. I got my D44 and OME 2 1/2 lift is on the way. Now I'm looking at some Eaton steel wheels in 15 X 8 size but don't know what backspace is available at "nwt online". Anyone know about Eaton wheels and where to go for info on weekend about backspace available. Maybe they match up with tire & wheel package for Jeep TJ? Thanks again. Da Birdman.