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- Jeep YJ Forum (https://www.jeepscanada.com/jeep-yj-forum-21/)

- - Axle Swap (https://www.jeepscanada.com/jeep-yj-forum-21/axle-swap-53807/)

I have a stock yj and am looking at putting dana 44s 410 geared with limited slip in the back. I am looking for any thoughts as to how this will affect my daily driver.

Hi, I am considering doing the same thing to my yj. I would think you will want to run a larger tire, to keep your speeds up without over revving. Do you have all your parts for your axle swap? Can you point me in the right direction for a good supplier with great prices? thanks Brian.

an axle swap in a yj is an excellent idea if your looking to do some real wheelin. your stock axles arent real strong but they will hold up to moderate wheelin if you take it easy on em and dont run too big a tire. and as mentioned by 'brianholt' if you change to 4:10's your engine RPM will increase at any given speed. i have 4:10's in my YJ and with 31's it is fine. even with stock tires i had no problems with 'overrevving'. as for where to get these axles. right now is the best time, actual MOPAR dana 44's are available with your choice of gear up to 4:88's with disc brakes and electric lockers. check ebay or 4wdhardware.com. they are about 1250.00 rear and 1400.00 front. if you have been looking at all you know this is a great deal. get them now while they are this cheap. they are set up for the JK but that is easily changed.

Thanks overland. I'd like to run 33" tires. Do you know what the ideal gearing is for this tire diameter? Can I run the stock axles and only change the ring and pinion and also install a locker?? Or are 33" too large for a stock 4 banger?

ok Brian some info for ya. you say you have a 4 banger, so that means you have 4:10's already. all 4 bangers (to my knowledge) came with 4:10's. the lowest gears you can get in your stock dana 35 rear end are 4:56's and they would be a great improvement over your 4:10's if you run 33's. the 4 banger will push 33's no problem if you change your gears. i would personally go to 4:88's but that means an axle swap. so to answer your questions, you can run stock axle and change gears but then the weak link will be your axles themselves. you can keep the dana 35 and change gears and change to high strength 30 spline axles and add your locker, but what a waste. best bet, get a used TJ dana 44 from a wrecker, and put your gears/locker in there or order the JK axle i mentioned in the last note. all this depends on how hard you want to wheel. if your not into serious rock crawling or anything crazy and just want a capable offroad jeep, you would probably be happy with new gears and the locker in your dana 35. i am currently going through this same issue with my jeep so i will let you know how it all comes out and keep me informed of what you do.

Hey Overland.... I think I'm going with a 4.5" lift (rough country), upgrade my gearing to a set of 4.56's and 33" tires. My question is, where can I get a set of 4.56 gears? I need a bikini top...sounds odd! Have you ever lightened a flywheel and did you notice any help spooling the engine up quicker while out wheelin?

hey, well as for lightening your flywheel. there is a thing called an inertia wheel or disc. for the 4cyl it is the way to go, it makes the flywheel heavier and so once you get it up to speed it wants to stay there. i wouldnt lighten it personally. as for gears, so many places. just check your local parts place. the rough country lift looks good, but i dont know anybody with one. as for bikini top, i order almost all that kind of stuff from 4wheel drive hardware online (www.4wd.com) they are quick and great to deal with.

I think the best yj axle swap is the ford 8.8 it has served me very well and now I have upgraded my yj to a rubicon frame and full width 60's, also the 8.8 is a lot stronger than the 44 if anyone is interested in my 8.8 let me know its already set up for yj and comes with discs

Best idea change it, and enjoy it

4.10's are good for 33's no probs.. Like the previous posters have said, the original dana 35's are stock/mild offroading only. The 8.8 axle is an excellent swap, or get lucky and find a wrecked Rubi in the auto wreckers. These guys don't give up those cheaply though :(