D35 vs. D44

[Tacoma]

so.. it really IS stronger than a 9"?

I'd like to see JP build an 8.8 and put in a 38" tired FSJ like they did to that 9". Might be a good test.

 

[Shawn]

Hickey wouldn't do it, and you ought not either.

There it is.

 

[waynehartwig]

Hmmmmm, last I checked a 8.8 was a semi float?

It has c clips though...

 

[RockMonkey]

Man, it's like remedial axle tech around here. 8.8 stronger than a 9" and a 60??? Pass some of that stuff you're smoking over here. It all comes down to what you want to do with the rig. If you're maintaining a stockish wheelbase, forget about the Mog axle. Forget about the 8.8 too. There are better options for the same or less cash/effort. For extreme wheel'n, with 37" or larger tires build or buy a 60. For under 35" tires or not-the-hardest-trail-in-the-world wheelin' get a TJ 44 or even a later model Toyota axle. I'm only going to be running 4-4+ trails and 33 (maybe 35 one day) inch tires. For that use I want a 44. I know someone that wants to do a little more extreme wheeling with his TJ, and he wants a 60. I can build a 60 for relatively cheap, so I'm going to build him a 60, and then trade it for his 44. Really a TJ 44 is a great option as it bolts right in and is strong enough to hold up to some pretty good abuse. If you truly need more axle than the 44 in the rear, then you definately need more axle than the 30 up front. So if you're getting a 60 for the rear, you better get one for the front too.

 

[Milner]

It has c clips though...

And
Cclips ONLY come in a semi-float axle! (OK a few highly specialized FF double spline shafts, but I bet no one here has seen or heard of one of those)
The shafts bolt to the wheel hub on a full-float and the wheel hubs are held in place by the bearings and spindle nuts....no need for a c-clip there.

 

[Hickey]

So, a clip is axle is a "No so semi-float"? or a "Semi-semi-float"? Does this mean that on a c-clip axle that the carrier takes more or less of the weight?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

There are really a couple different types of Semi-Floats... It can be said that ALL c-clip axles are Semi-Float (with excpetion as Marc noted ), but not all Semi-Floats are C-clip (pressed bearing)...

As Mark noted, disc brakes are great for moving your rig with a broken SF shaft a SHORT distance... but it is also a fantastic way to destroy your carrier, housing, gears, etc. I have driven out on a couple broken SF shafts, sometimes a better option when no spares are in sight... but NOT a replacement for a FF (I drive home with a broken shaft )

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The semi-float blues...

 

[mbryson]

The semi-float blues...

Ah, that was another good day at 5MP. A day we all learned how cool a logging chain was to have stored in an XJ.

There are really a couple different types of Semi-Floats... It can be said that ALL c-clip axles are Semi-Float (with excpetion as Marc noted ), but not all Semi-Floats are C-clip (pressed bearing)...

As Mark noted, disc brakes are great for moving your rig with a broken SF shaft a SHORT distance... but it is also a fantastic way to destroy your carrier, housing, gears, etc. I have driven out on a couple broken SF shafts, sometimes a better option when no spares are in sight... but NOT a replacement for a FF (I drive home with a broken shaft )

Oh, and Kurt, I'm a 'Marc' too. (just trying to be confusing--something about the early '70s---maybe the "fall-out" from an earlier time frame?)

 

[cruiseroutfit]

..Oh, and Kurt, I'm a 'Marc' too. (just trying to be confusing--something about the early '70s---maybe the "fall-out" from an earlier time frame?)

What a bunch of crap... one of you is going to have to change your names if you two continue to post side by side. Its not fair to the rest of us!

 

[1993yj]

Axle shafts are not the only thing to break on the D35s. I have been running 35 inch tires on my D35 for years with no shafts breaking. And I am locked. If you are smart with the amount of throttle you apply, your shafts will proboably be ok (I know that all of you pissed off people already posting on this thread will let me have it after this posting is finished). My problem came when my cast iron diff actually broke where the axle tube went in, which then snapped my shaft. 5mp as well, Constrictor. Luckily I did have a disc brake setup on to keep my wheel on as I limped out to the trail head and went and got a trailer, as my replacement shaft wouldn't even get to the carrier. I have now upgraded to a Ford 8.8, still a c-clip axle I know, but much much stronger. Actually stronger than a D44, but c-clipped. Thought about the Ford 9", but harder to find in the right width, lug pattern, etc.

But as everyone has already stated, if putting an 8.8 under a TJ, that would be a lot of work. I only did it cause of the same lug pattern and easy enough to weld on perches for my leaf springs. I would also do a D44 from a different TJ in your case. Easy swap, at least thats the idea.

 

[1993yj]

Boy, reading this thread sure passes the time at work though doesn't it?

 

[Caleb]

I'm curious to know where you guys that are claiming the 8.8 to be stronger than the 44 are getting your info. Is it that one extra spline that makes you say this??? IMO, all things considerd there is no advantage to the 8.8 over the 44. But considering the fact that you can get a 44 (and parts) on just about every corner in america makes me prefer it over an 8.8

 

[waynehartwig]

I never said a 8.8 was stronger than a D60, I said they were comparable. But it is indeed stronger than a D44 or D35. The 8.8 and 9" comparison is purely my opinion.

The only downside to an 8.8 is the wheel bearings run directly on the shaft- they don't have a bearing race like a D44. The axle housings are also weakly inserted into the housing. Those two items fixed, and the 8.8 is indeed stronger than a 9" and just as strong as a D60. A 9" housing (STOCK 9") is weak and with large tires will bust, just like a D35. Granted, not as easily done as a D35, but still not stronger than a 8.8. You can buy a heavier duty 9" housing aftermarket. But I thought this whole thread was about saving money? A 8.8 swap would cost about $700 - $300 for the axle, $300 for the TJ mounting brackets and $100 for odds and ends. I've never seen a D60 swap that cheap in a TJ before. Nor does it have the correct bolt pattern for a TJ.

 

[1993yj]

My stating of the 8.8 being stronger comes from a few sources. Them being that the axle tube is 3-1/4" diameter (slightly bigger than the 44), the ring gear is also bigger (8.5" vs 8.8"), and the shafts do have that one extra spline. I know that it is not much, but I dont see where all that makes the D44 stronger.

Here are a few places to get some good info on axles of all types:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-84553-rear-axle-i.d.
http://www.jeepsonly.com/How_Tos/Drive_Train/


Most people will go with an 8.8 over the D44 for the fact of getting disc brakes more than anything else that I know of.

Even though the D44 is not c-clip, I still would not drive far on either axle when broken.

 

[Tacoma]

Personally, I think a 4page thread arguing the relative merits of 1/2t axles is sort of funny. But, the smallest thing I own is a fullsize Blazer, so I can laugh... and you can all laugh back at my gas costs.

anyway. 44's are everywhere, and parts too. Plus, 44's are not a Ford product.

 

[waynehartwig]

My stating of the 8.8 being stronger comes from a few sources. Them being that the axle tube is 3-1/4" diameter (slightly bigger than the 44), the ring gear is also bigger (8.5" vs 8.8"), and the shafts do have that one extra spline. I know that it is not much, but I dont see where all that makes the D44 stronger.

Here are a few places to get some good info on axles of all types:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-84553-rear-axle-i.d.
http://www.jeepsonly.com/How_Tos/Drive_Train/


Most people will go with an 8.8 over the D44 for the fact of getting disc brakes more than anything else that I know of.

Even though the D44 is not c-clip, I still would not drive far on either axle when broken.

There is another website out there that has actual data on axle strength's, but I can't find it now. I thought it was Jeeps Unlimited? but, again, I can't find it.

 

[waynehartwig]

Personally, I think a 4page thread arguing the relative merits of 1/2t axles is sort of funny. But, the smallest thing I own is a fullsize Blazer, so I can laugh... and you can all laugh back at my gas costs.

anyway. 44's are everywhere, and parts too. Plus, 44's are not a Ford product.

True...

 

[1993yj]

Personally, I think a 4page thread arguing the relative merits of 1/2t axles is sort of funny. But, the smallest thing I own is a fullsize Blazer, so I can laugh... and you can all laugh back at my gas costs.

anyway. 44's are everywhere, and parts too. Plus, 44's are not a Ford product.

Like I said, we all need a way to kill time at work. Not like any of us who sit at a computer all day can really play 8 full hours of Solitaire every day.

 

[Milner]

A 9" housing (STOCK 9") is weak and with large tires will bust, just like a D35. Granted, not as easily done as a D35, but still not stronger than a 8.8

Where do you even get an idea like that? Ever look at a 9" housing? The center section tapers out further than any other stock axle. the tubes are pressed and then not only plug welded (all that is done on any of the other axle discussed here) but then they are welded all the way around the tube to housing seam.

At least it seem that your learned something from our last debate about axles. (the bearing using the axle as a race on an 8.8)

I really hate debating this over and over it is beyond rediculous!! I just felt that the original poster of this thread was being given mis-information. I think it is important for anyone, esspecialy someone new to the sport to learn as much as they can to make the best decissions they can. There is so much mis-information on the net it is amazing. Just wanted to clear some up....

Edit: I thought I would describe a little of my experience based knowledge, but on second thought, I do not need to defend my opinion. It is JMHO and you can take it or leave it.