I have a 1992 Cherokee Laredo. Instead of doing an 8.25 rear, I was thinking of doing a Dana 44. Will any D44 bolt up to my 1992 Cherokee? If so, what year? Also if I do a Dana 44 rear, what should I do to the front? Another axle swap or just go with chromolly shafts? Please help.

 

Any axle under a Cherokee will fit another Cherokee, never any width changes or anything like that. Any 44 under a Cherokee will fit. I'd just do 8.25 because they're everywhere and cheap, but 44s are hard to come buy and aren't cheap when you find them.

 

X2 on just doing the 8.25. If you can find a waggy 44 (I think 87-89 with tow package) for a good deal it would be a good buy though. 8.25s are cheap, plentiful, and comparable to a 44. Make sure to get a 97-01 so it's 29 spline.

There's nothing to swap into the front without full custom axle swap. Just stick with the Dana 30. If you have the vacuum disconnect style you can either swap out to a newer style one or block it off and put a solid shaft in. Also I think you can upgrade to larger u-joints, but you may need different shafts for those.

 

IMHO take your time do you research and plan ahead I swapped in a pair from '77 f150 axles for obvious benefits of strength locking hubs and aftermarket support it wasn't hard and not that expensive the kit for the brackets can be found reasonably for the front and it's just a matter of moving the pirches for the rear. If your going to upgrade think about future upgrades and and dream big check out my jeep and pm me for ?'s. I planed for a couple years and spread the cost so it wasn't much impact.

 

Here's wat it looks like now

 

Good lookin rig! So if I do a 8.25 from a 97+ non abs, it will bolt up and be comparable strength to a D44? I'm just Ganna run Yukon chromolly shafts in the front too.

 

yes that's correct.

 

Do you know where I could find a new one?

 

Found a website I can build an axle to fit my Cherokee. Going with a ford 8.8

 

What size tires you want to run and how will you use the jeep ?

 

35's to 37's. And it's a daily and a weekend warrior

 

8.25 will work just fine for 35's. Not 100% sure on 37's, but since it is roughly comparable to a 44, it should work. Any bigger and you will want the 8.8

Just a word of warning - if you are going to lock the rear AND you want an electric locker - Eaton DOES NOT make an electric locker for the 8.25. (I am assuming it goes with saying not to bother with en ECTED). If you want an electric actuated locker for an 8.25, you are looking at an OX locker with an electric actuator.

Ask me how I know.

 

I have an idea of how you know haha I'm Ganna go with a 8.8 for sure. What should I do up front? A D44??

 

35s can do if you beef up both axles fully and the front you truss or sleeve with guest the axle c.37s are the limit for a 8.8 and a dana 44 you really should think about 1 ton axles or get use to replacing parts weekly if you wheel it hard.

 

Andrew is correct for a 37" tire you need a big Dana's front and rear the one ton stuff is needed a D44/Chy 8.25, 8.8 won't cut it. Like they say just how much money do you want to spend?