Jerry McG

Dana 35s are the WORST axle ever put on a Jeep, period. Bill will gladly
steer you to his infamous Dana 35 page, where you can not only see lots of
broken D35s, you can even see one breaking in action!

Years ago some beancounting corporate idiot decided to stick that axle on
the XJ, then it got passed to the poor YJ. Carrying on the plague, they
stuck it under the TJ but hedged their bets with the D44 option. Chrysler
out to offer $2,000+ reparations to anyone who ever got stuck with one of
these piles of junk.

Why is it a pice of junk? Let us count the many curses: ring & pinion too
small, pinion & carrier bearings too small, wheel bearings too small, axle
shafts too small, c-clip design, weak, beand-prone housing. (Other than
that, it's a fine piece of equipment!) All of this so Chrysler can save
about $75 per vehicle.

As I've said before, the best thing you can do with a D35 is to throw it
into a blast furnace and melt it down so it can be made into something
useful, like bedpans. Otherwise, throw it into a pond for fish habitiat, if
the fish don't mind the association.

Frankly, so many of these things have failed over the years I'm astonished
Chrysler hasn't had to recall them or lost a big consumer lawsuit over the
issue.





"SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TGlsc.143224$0qd.2570@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> I honestly don't know which axle I got... didn't get the larger tire
> package....but as I was reminded yesterday on a silty rain slicked
road...I
> don't have ABS either!! hehe
>
> I realize this has been asked before....but the 44 is the superior axle,
> isn't it?
> 35 not being a 'BAD' bit of hardware but that it's just a 'lighter duty'
> axle?!
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:74ednaewoLO5RyzdRVn-sA@comcast.com...
> > Only if you have the 30" tire wheel group, although I don't remember if
> the
> > 44 was included in the group all model years. Certainly most of them.
> >
> > "SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:i2esc.132067$0qd.109443@twister01.bloor.is.ne t.cable.rogers.com...
> > > does that just apply according to ABS?
> > >
> > >
> > > "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> > > news:68SdnbBKto7K_Czd4p2dnA@comcast.com...
> > > > What bill siad, also if your TJ has ABS and the 30" tire wheel
group,
> it
> > > > will have the 35, if no ABS it should have the 44.
> > > >
> > > > "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> > > > news:40B14EC6.D8BF5DD3@***.net...
> > > > > Compare your covers with the differential at:
> > > > > http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml
> > > > > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> > > > > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> > > > >
> > > > > Derek Proctor wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the
> 30"
> > > > > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has.
> Im
> > > > > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads
3.55
> > > > > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so
im
> > > > > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that
the
> > > > > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this
tag
> > mean
> > > > > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a
dana
> > 44?
> > > > > > Any input would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Jerry McG

Dana 35s are the WORST axle ever put on a Jeep, period. Bill will gladly
steer you to his infamous Dana 35 page, where you can not only see lots of
broken D35s, you can even see one breaking in action!

Years ago some beancounting corporate idiot decided to stick that axle on
the XJ, then it got passed to the poor YJ. Carrying on the plague, they
stuck it under the TJ but hedged their bets with the D44 option. Chrysler
out to offer $2,000+ reparations to anyone who ever got stuck with one of
these piles of junk.

Why is it a pice of junk? Let us count the many curses: ring & pinion too
small, pinion & carrier bearings too small, wheel bearings too small, axle
shafts too small, c-clip design, weak, beand-prone housing. (Other than
that, it's a fine piece of equipment!) All of this so Chrysler can save
about $75 per vehicle.

As I've said before, the best thing you can do with a D35 is to throw it
into a blast furnace and melt it down so it can be made into something
useful, like bedpans. Otherwise, throw it into a pond for fish habitiat, if
the fish don't mind the association.

Frankly, so many of these things have failed over the years I'm astonished
Chrysler hasn't had to recall them or lost a big consumer lawsuit over the
issue.





"SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TGlsc.143224$0qd.2570@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> I honestly don't know which axle I got... didn't get the larger tire
> package....but as I was reminded yesterday on a silty rain slicked
road...I
> don't have ABS either!! hehe
>
> I realize this has been asked before....but the 44 is the superior axle,
> isn't it?
> 35 not being a 'BAD' bit of hardware but that it's just a 'lighter duty'
> axle?!
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:74ednaewoLO5RyzdRVn-sA@comcast.com...
> > Only if you have the 30" tire wheel group, although I don't remember if
> the
> > 44 was included in the group all model years. Certainly most of them.
> >
> > "SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:i2esc.132067$0qd.109443@twister01.bloor.is.ne t.cable.rogers.com...
> > > does that just apply according to ABS?
> > >
> > >
> > > "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> > > news:68SdnbBKto7K_Czd4p2dnA@comcast.com...
> > > > What bill siad, also if your TJ has ABS and the 30" tire wheel
group,
> it
> > > > will have the 35, if no ABS it should have the 44.
> > > >
> > > > "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> > > > news:40B14EC6.D8BF5DD3@***.net...
> > > > > Compare your covers with the differential at:
> > > > > http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml
> > > > > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> > > > > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> > > > >
> > > > > Derek Proctor wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the
> 30"
> > > > > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has.
> Im
> > > > > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads
3.55
> > > > > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so
im
> > > > > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that
the
> > > > > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this
tag
> > mean
> > > > > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a
dana
> > 44?
> > > > > > Any input would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Jerry McG

Dana 35s are the WORST axle ever put on a Jeep, period. Bill will gladly
steer you to his infamous Dana 35 page, where you can not only see lots of
broken D35s, you can even see one breaking in action!

Years ago some beancounting corporate idiot decided to stick that axle on
the XJ, then it got passed to the poor YJ. Carrying on the plague, they
stuck it under the TJ but hedged their bets with the D44 option. Chrysler
out to offer $2,000+ reparations to anyone who ever got stuck with one of
these piles of junk.

Why is it a pice of junk? Let us count the many curses: ring & pinion too
small, pinion & carrier bearings too small, wheel bearings too small, axle
shafts too small, c-clip design, weak, beand-prone housing. (Other than
that, it's a fine piece of equipment!) All of this so Chrysler can save
about $75 per vehicle.

As I've said before, the best thing you can do with a D35 is to throw it
into a blast furnace and melt it down so it can be made into something
useful, like bedpans. Otherwise, throw it into a pond for fish habitiat, if
the fish don't mind the association.

Frankly, so many of these things have failed over the years I'm astonished
Chrysler hasn't had to recall them or lost a big consumer lawsuit over the
issue.





"SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TGlsc.143224$0qd.2570@twister01.bloor.is.net. cable.rogers.com...
> I honestly don't know which axle I got... didn't get the larger tire
> package....but as I was reminded yesterday on a silty rain slicked
road...I
> don't have ABS either!! hehe
>
> I realize this has been asked before....but the 44 is the superior axle,
> isn't it?
> 35 not being a 'BAD' bit of hardware but that it's just a 'lighter duty'
> axle?!
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:74ednaewoLO5RyzdRVn-sA@comcast.com...
> > Only if you have the 30" tire wheel group, although I don't remember if
> the
> > 44 was included in the group all model years. Certainly most of them.
> >
> > "SB" <chicbearsmook@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:i2esc.132067$0qd.109443@twister01.bloor.is.ne t.cable.rogers.com...
> > > does that just apply according to ABS?
> > >
> > >
> > > "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> > > news:68SdnbBKto7K_Czd4p2dnA@comcast.com...
> > > > What bill siad, also if your TJ has ABS and the 30" tire wheel
group,
> it
> > > > will have the 35, if no ABS it should have the 44.
> > > >
> > > > "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> > > > news:40B14EC6.D8BF5DD3@***.net...
> > > > > Compare your covers with the differential at:
> > > > > http://www.coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml
> > > > > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> > > > > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> > > > >
> > > > > Derek Proctor wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the
> 30"
> > > > > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has.
> Im
> > > > > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads
3.55
> > > > > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so
im
> > > > > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that
the
> > > > > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this
tag
> > mean
> > > > > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a
dana
> > 44?
> > > > > > Any input would be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Jerry Bransford

It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.

Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> a D44 in the rear.
>
> I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
>
> Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> remember.
>
>
> dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > Any input would be appreciated.

Jerry Bransford

It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.

Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> a D44 in the rear.
>
> I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
>
> Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> remember.
>
>
> dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > Any input would be appreciated.

Jerry Bransford

It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.

Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> a D44 in the rear.
>
> I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
>
> Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> remember.
>
>
> dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > Any input would be appreciated.

Jerry Bransford

It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.

Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> a D44 in the rear.
>
> I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
>
> Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> remember.
>
>
> dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > Any input would be appreciated.

Bob

I gave my reasoning for why I thought he had the 44. I have a Sahara
of the same exact year and model that originally shipped with the 30"
tire/wheel package and dana 44, which included the "upgraded" 3.55:1
diff gears. So I have at least one example of why it would not be
HIGHLY unlikely he has the 44.

What exactly are you basing this statement on? Just saying it's
"HIGHLY unlikely" is like saying it's highly unlikely I have brown
eyes, unless you qualify your statement with some reasoning. I'm not
sayint you're wrong, just asking for better clarification. This way, I
can say "oh, I see" and actually understand why I was incorrect in my
previous assertion, and avoid making such an incorrect assertion again
in the future.

Thanks,
Bob


"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message news:<A3osc.21961$PU5.9578@fed1read06>...
> It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
> ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.
>
> Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
> If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
> is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
> Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
> or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
> and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
> swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> > I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> > a D44 in the rear.
> >
> > I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> > and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> > this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> > years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> > even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> > package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> > knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> > and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> > way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> > your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
> >
> > Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> > remember.
> >
> >
> > dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
> news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > > Any input would be appreciated.

Bob

I gave my reasoning for why I thought he had the 44. I have a Sahara
of the same exact year and model that originally shipped with the 30"
tire/wheel package and dana 44, which included the "upgraded" 3.55:1
diff gears. So I have at least one example of why it would not be
HIGHLY unlikely he has the 44.

What exactly are you basing this statement on? Just saying it's
"HIGHLY unlikely" is like saying it's highly unlikely I have brown
eyes, unless you qualify your statement with some reasoning. I'm not
sayint you're wrong, just asking for better clarification. This way, I
can say "oh, I see" and actually understand why I was incorrect in my
previous assertion, and avoid making such an incorrect assertion again
in the future.

Thanks,
Bob


"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message news:<A3osc.21961$PU5.9578@fed1read06>...
> It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
> ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.
>
> Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
> If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
> is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
> Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
> or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
> and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
> swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> > I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> > a D44 in the rear.
> >
> > I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> > and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> > this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> > years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> > even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> > package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> > knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> > and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> > way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> > your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
> >
> > Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> > remember.
> >
> >
> > dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
> news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > > Any input would be appreciated.

Bob

I gave my reasoning for why I thought he had the 44. I have a Sahara
of the same exact year and model that originally shipped with the 30"
tire/wheel package and dana 44, which included the "upgraded" 3.55:1
diff gears. So I have at least one example of why it would not be
HIGHLY unlikely he has the 44.

What exactly are you basing this statement on? Just saying it's
"HIGHLY unlikely" is like saying it's highly unlikely I have brown
eyes, unless you qualify your statement with some reasoning. I'm not
sayint you're wrong, just asking for better clarification. This way, I
can say "oh, I see" and actually understand why I was incorrect in my
previous assertion, and avoid making such an incorrect assertion again
in the future.

Thanks,
Bob


"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message news:<A3osc.21961$PU5.9578@fed1read06>...
> It's HIGHLY unlikely his '97 TJ had the stronger Dana 44. 3.55 was a common
> ratio though so the 3.55 tag is to be expected.
>
> Derek, look at the fill plug on your rear axle to determine which you have.
> If the fill plug is a snap-in black plastic cap, it's the Dana 35c. If it
> is a steel bolt that is threaded into the rear cover, it's the much stronger
> Dana 44. However, Dana 44 axles were rare as hen's teeth in '97 TJs, with
> or without the 30" tire and wheel package. My '97 TJ came with the 30" tire
> and wheel package but it still came with a Dana 35c axle which I later
> swapped out for a used Dana 44 I found.
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0405240510.38bf9186@posting.google.c om...
> > I'm not 100% sure on this, but damn close -- I think you probably have
> > a D44 in the rear.
> >
> > I have a 1997 Sahara as well, and it has (or actually had) 3.55 gears,
> > and has a Dana 44 rear. I believe, from what I read when I was buying
> > this jeep a couple years ago (I could be mistaken, it was a couple
> > years ago, after all), that the 3.55 gearing implies the Dana 44. It's
> > even possible the Dana 44 upgrade was an included part of the Sahara
> > package in 1997. The only caveat to this is if you have ABS. Since I
> > knew I wasn't getting ABS, though, that didn't even enter my thinking,
> > and I didn't look at how that affected any options as a result. Either
> > way, my vote is you probably have a Dana 44, pending the outcome of
> > your comparison to the pictures on the link Bill posted.
> >
> > Let us know! I'd certainly like to know if I'm way off base in what I
> > remember.
> >
> >
> > dirk44@aol.com (Derek Proctor) wrote in message
> news:<3ade3bcf.0405231707.4f8518f3@posting.google. com>...
> > > Hey all i have a 97 wrangler sahara that came standard with the 30"
> > > wheel package and i was wondering what axle and gearing it has. Im
> > > almost sure its a dana 35 but the tag on the left rear reads 3.55
> > > gears. I do not have any factory limited slips or anything so im
> > > guessing it was a mistake by the dealer. Is it possible that the
> > > dealer slapped on the 3.55 gear tag on a dana 35 or does this tag mean
> > > that my housing actually has 3.55's and my axle is in fact a dana 44?
> > > Any input would be appreciated.