6:59 pm
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline
Hi everyone. So amber and i have some big decisions to make here with the yj. We do need to keep cost in mind. Kris is hooking it up with a rear dana 44 for a case of beer! Thats way awesome. So trying to decide for cost control if im just better off putting the 35 back in and cromoly shafts front and rear. Or the dana 44? Concerned about the 44 because i just bought a new driveline, leaf springs, shocks and pinion angle shims snd U bolts. How hard is it convert the 44 to leaf spring? Is it possible? Should we just full coil over front and rear? Will i have to have driveshaft shortened? Will i have to re-gear the 44 and a new locker? Will i have to buy 2 new wheels for the lug pattern? Or do i buy a 44 for the front too? But a lot of cost is coming along with all of this. We just want it to be strong and affordable, if that is ever possible haha. Just give me everything you all know and options, ideas, information. I have a lot to learn. Thanks
5:40 am
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline Adding two more questions. Should i go with 8.8? What are the details on that swap? Thanks
8:22 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Too many details for a short reply, I'll let the more wordy among us handle all that.
Short answer is... Ditch the 35 ASAP.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:45 am
October 28, 2016
Offline I think you’ll find everyone will say ditch the 35.
In fact, some runs will have some specific requirements such as, No dana 35’s allowed! No joke haha.
As far as the technical questions go I can’t really help ya there.
W6JLU
12:06 pm
Club Member
January 19, 2011
Offline Do you like the Rubicon trail? If yes go for the upgrade if your budget allows. A stronger Jeep will = more fun on the trail.
A day in the Jeep on a trail, priceless!
Semper Fi
8:18 am
Club Member
August 17, 2014
Offline I’ve been broken down on the Rubicon, & other difficult trails, more than once & the stress of getting out overtakes the fun out of being there.
One of the initial considerations when upgrading your Jeep is doing so with heavier axles...a 44 over a 35 is a logical decision. The increased reliability outweighs the overall cost.
8:33 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Guy and Lynda said
The increased reliability outweighs the overall cost.
Yes! 
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:07 am
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline Robert, you might want to call a few shops like WFO and MC Motor Sports (MC is a club sponsor) and ask them about your options and approximate cost of parts and labor. I know WFO can give you good advice even if you don't end up having the work done there. I had my driveshaft shortened this year and it cost $180 from Driveline Services in Sacramento. As for the rest of your questions, talking to a shop might give you some valuable guidance even if you end up doing most or all of the work yourself. I will also text you the name a Jeep mechanic I know who does side work. He installed the Atlas transfer case in my Jeep this summer. He might be able to answer some of your questions.
10:43 am
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline Dana 44 is the way to go especially at the price your getting it at. Also all the bracketry will have to come off and new ones welded on in the proper location. As Jeff said contact a local shop and get their advise and suggestions. Another shop to look into is Varozza in Placerville they built the clubs Rock trailer. Ben over there does great work. JKU axels are a great upgrade and good place to start. There are also companies out there that specialize in con verting JKU axles to TJ and YJ configuration but the cost maybe prohibitive. Another thing to ask a shop is if they have any JKU front axles lying around you maybe able to pick one up at a good price. My to cents
11:11 am
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline Thanks guys
2:14 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Hasn't been mentioned yet, but build to your desired tire size.
If your desired tire size includes 33s or 35s, you'll be solid with a 30/44 combo.
If your plans include going bigger than that, then both front and rear axles will have to bump up from there.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
7:00 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline So the 44 I have is a JKU 44 with 30 spline axles, disc brakes, and 3.21 gears. Since the YJ is leaf springs, swapping is pretty easy and you basically cut off all the factory brackets (torch or sawsall and grinder) and then weld on the spring perches. The only downsides for the JK44 is that is it a different bolt pattern and it is ~4" wider than the factory axle. I would suggest finding a JK or WJ front axle to pair with it. (WJ front axles are less than $300 at pick and pull).
To do this swap you would be looking at following in addition to new 5x5 bolt pattern wheels (typically need 17" wheels to clear the much bigger brakes):
-Rear axle - beer
-Rear Gears - $140 on summit for Spicer SVL
-Rear Locker - $400 to $1,000 depending on option
-Oil - $40
-HD Diff cover - $90
-Rebuilt part store brake calipers - $100~
-Yoke adapter or new yoke - $50
-Driveshaft shortening - $100~
-3.25" spring perches - $35
-3.25" u-bolts and plates - $100 (or u-bolt eliminator perches)
For the front:
-Junkyard axle ~$300
-gears - $140
-oil - $40
-HD diff cover - $90
-New tie rod - $150~
-Rebuilt parts store calipers - ~$100
-Yoke - $50
-minor driveshaft shortening - $100 maybe
I did an 8.8 swap a few years ago and while strong and cheap, I preferred the dana 44.
For an 8.8 swap you would keep your wheels and tires so you are looking at:
-axle - $175 from pick and pull
-flage adapter - $80
-rebuilt brake parts - $100
-HD diff cover - $90
-Gears - $140 or free depending on ratio
-Locker - $500 to 1000
-u-bolt swap kit - $140
-driveshaft shortening $100
-oil - $40
-Wheel spacers to match front width - $90
7:45 pm
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline Holy smoke! Nice write up and all the info. Hmmm decisions. Thanks kris. If I keep the 30, can it handle ARB air locker and 35” tires? I have had no problem with lunchbox and 33”
9:13 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline Robert & Amber said
Holy smoke! Nice write up and all the info. Hmmm decisions. Thanks kris. If I keep the 30, can it handle ARB air locker and 35” tires? I have had no problem with lunchbox and 33”
Technically the 30 under your jeep or WJ/JK 30 could be built to handle a locker and 35s but I would look for a JK rubicon front 44 as a takeout axle. would be cheaper than the 30 spline kit and 30 spline locker when said and done.
10:02 am
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline I run
Robert & Amber said
Holy smoke! Nice write up and all the info. Hmmm decisions. Thanks kris. If I keep the 30, can it handle ARB air locker and 35” tires? I have had no problem with lunchbox and 33”
I run a front Dana 30 with an ARB air locker and G2 chromoly axle shafts on 35's in my TJ.
10:04 am
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline If you do the upgrade you can host a build party and you will probably get plenty of help provided you schedule it far enough in advance. You just have to supply the pizza!
8:16 am
July 14, 2016
Offline 
Robert & Amber said
Hi everyone. So amber and i have some big decisions to make here with the yj. We do need to keep cost in mind. Kris is hooking it up with a rear dana 44 for a case of beer! Thats way awesome. So trying to decide for cost control if im just better off putting the 35 back in and cromoly shafts front and rear. Or the dana 44? Concerned about the 44 because i just bought a new driveline, leaf springs, shocks and pinion angle shims snd U bolts. How hard is it convert the 44 to leaf spring? Is it possible? Should we just full coil over front and rear? Will i have to have driveshaft shortened? Will i have to re-gear the 44 and a new locker? Will i have to buy 2 new wheels for the lug pattern? Or do i buy a 44 for the front too? But a lot of cost is coming along with all of this. We just want it to be strong and affordable, if that is ever possible haha. Just give me everything you all know and options, ideas, information. I have a lot to learn. Thanks
Or if you want to just bypass it and go for matching axels I have a 90 ford f350 srw 4x4 for 2k be pretty easy to swap them into your jeep
8:26 am
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline Dana 60’s? How wide are they? Whats the lug pattern?
9:44 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Robert & Amber said
Dana 60’s? How wide are they? Whats the lug pattern?
Super heavy for your YJ. Expect to spend bucks for additional upgrades. 6" wider than stock typically for a front. Junkyard 60's can be more. Typically they are an 8 lug pattern, but can be adapted to most bolt patterns - not the YJ 5x4.5, or the JK 5x5. I run a 5x5.5 bolt pattern with my 60s. That's the minimum you can run. Most run a 6 lug or 8 lug. The 5x5.5 is the CJ bolt pattern so its quite common.
11:15 am
Club Member
October 29, 2020
Offline Yeah thats a pass. Thanks
12:51 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline Robert & Amber said
Dana 60’s? How wide are they? Whats the lug pattern?
Yes 60's 8x6.5 pattern
4:16 pm
Club Member
November 21, 2017
Offline On my YJ it had stock 30/35 axles and I ditched those for a ford 9” with a grizzly locker in the rear spring over axle and a mid 80’ Waggoner Dana 44 with an ARB and spring under axle for the front. Running 38” tires. Also running 5.13 gears and an atlas .
tim
11:03 am
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline When I sold my YJ, it had the stock HP D30 with chromo TJ shafts, ARB, and (I think) Timken unit bearings. No issues running 35s.
Replace or reinforce the front shackle mounts if you haven’t already.
The rear was a G2 60. I was planning to go to 37s at the time.
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