Ford 8.8 vs JK Dana 44

Revenant4x4

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I was dead set on dana 60s, but then I took axle clearance into effect. So now I'm debating between a built 8.8 or a built JK dana 44, or even a built TJ 44. Can someone with experience with these axles give input? I have a lot more experience with Toyota axles and dana 60s. Im locked in on an eventual diesel swap, at most 350TQ with 35s to 37s. I want to do the Rubicon trail, moab, and POSSIBLY KOH. Thanks for the input
 
If you can stick to 35s, the stock Dana 44 or Dana 35 (built to a Super 35) will be more than enough to handle 35s and should handle that torque fine as well I'd think.
 
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If you can stick to 35s, the stock Dana 44 or Dana 35 (built to a Super 35) will be more than enough to handle 35s and should handle that torque fine as well I'd think.
I could stick to the dana 35, I just hear so much negative about it that I'd rather get a dana 44 at the very least. Im my experience the 35 is cheaply made, what's your view on the TJ 44? Any axle i put in will be trussed, and possibly sleeved if need be
 
I could stick to the dana 35, I just hear so much negative about it that I'd rather get a dana 44 at the very least. Im my experience the 35 is cheaply made, what's your view on the TJ 44? Any axle i put in will be trussed, and possibly sleeved if need be
Doesnt the JK Rubicon 44 come with air lockers?
 
I could stick to the dana 35, I just hear so much negative about it that I'd rather get a dana 44 at the very least. Im my experience the 35 is cheaply made, what's your view on the TJ 44? Any axle i put in will be trussed, and possibly sleeved if need be
You could install a Super 35 kit and be more than up to anything 35" tires are. Such kits also include your choice of several lockers.

The Revolution Axle Super 35 kit has been extensively tested in some of the very toughest rock crawling trails there are and it holds up fine. The 30 spline 1541H shafts that come in quality Super 35 kits are slightly stronger than the 30 spline carbon steel shafts used in the Dana 44.

It's truly a worthy and good upgrade, don't listen to the Billy-Bob naysayers who only report rumors their cousin Jimmy-Bob heard from down in the holler.

Also there's no benefit to or need to truss or sleeve your Dana 35's axle tubes. It uses the same exact same axle tubes the Dana 44 does. Not to mention that inner sleeving does nothing for strength.

Personally I'd rather shove sharp splinters up under my fingernails or drop molten steel on my bare toes while welding than install an 8.8. They have several issues that make them a less than desirable installation.
 
I could stick to the dana 35, I just hear so much negative about it that I'd rather get a dana 44 at the very least. Im my experience the 35 is cheaply made, what's your view on the TJ 44? Any axle i put in will be trussed, and possibly sleeved if need be
I can tell you that I wheel my TJ with Dana 44s in the rocks every weekend and it’s got 35s, no issues whatsoever either.

A truss isn’t needed however, not by any means, neither are sleeves, that’s not an opinion either, it’s a fact.

So many people get it in their head that they need sleeves, trusses, and so much more just to run 35s, but in reality you don’t.

A Dana 44 or a Dana 35 can easily handle 35s in the rocks all day long. Here’s mine in the rocks with 35s and Dana 44s:





 
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You could install a Super 35 kit and be more than up to anything 35" tires are. Such kits also include your choice of several lockers.

The Revolution Axle Super 35 kit has been extensively tested in some of the very toughest rock crawling trails there are and it holds up fine. The 30 spline 1541H shafts that come in quality Super 35 kits are slightly stronger than the 30 spline carbon steel shafts used in the Dana 44.

It's truly a worthy and good upgrade, don't listen to the Billy-Bob naysayers who only report rumors their cousin Jimmy-Bob heard from down in the holler.

Also there's no benefit to or need to truss or sleeve your Dana 35's axle tubes. It uses the same exact same axle tubes the Dana 44 does. Not to mention that inner sleeving does nothing for strength. Exterior sleeving is what strengthens axle tubes, not inner sleeving.

Personally I'd rather shove sharp splinters up under my fingernails or drop molten steel on my bare toes while welding than install an 8.8. They have several issues that make them a less than desirable installation.
I'll do that then, if I absolutely need to I can always get a different axle in the future. Really opening my mind to possibilities
 
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I can tell you that I wheel my TJ with Dana 44s in the rocks every weekend and it’s got 35s, no issues whatsoever either.

A truss isn’t needed however, not by any means, neither are sleeves, that’s not an opinion either, it’s a fact.

So many people get it in their head that they need sleeves, trusses, and so much more just to run 35s, but in reality you don’t.

A Dana 44 or a Dana 35 can easily handle 35s in the rocks all day long. Here’s mine in the rocks with 35s and Dana 44s:





Nice rig, and thanks for the input. Definitely more experience on this forum than other places I've looked
 
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I run a super 35 and 35” tires and I wheel in the rocks pretty hard. From my understanding there really isn’t much difference strength wise between a super 35 with 30 spline shafts and a Dana 44 with 30 spline chromo shafts. Just make sure you get 1541H shafts for the super 35.
 
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I run a super 35 and 35” tires and I wheel in the rocks pretty hard. From my understanding there really isn’t much difference strength wise between a super 35 with 30 spline shafts and a Dana 44 with 30 spline chromo shafts. Just make sure you get 1541H shafts for the super 35.
Does the super 35 eliminate c clips?
 
I am just trying to save you money. If you feel like upgrading stuff just because you can, by all means, go for it. There’s nothing wrong with mod collecting at all. However, you most certainly do not need anything more than a built Dana 35 or a Dana 44 to run 35s. They setup is what most of the hardcore wheelers on this forum are running and they never have any issues with broken axles.
 
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I am just trying to save you money. If you feel like upgrading stuff just because you can, by all means, go for it. There’s nothing wrong with mod collecting at all. However, you most certainly do not need anything more than a built Dana 35 or a Dana 44 to run 35s. They setup is what most of the hardcore wheelers on this forum are running and they never have any issues with broken axles.
Im going for a more utilitarian build, so as long as it can hold up I dont favor one choice over the other. Super 35 could also allow me to keep the ground clearance so it definitely sounds better than a 8.8 or a 60
 
I did a 8.8 and added a super 88 kit. So far it’s been a great axle and I’m very confident in it. I’m running 35s with a ox locker and really like the versatility of having positive traction no matter what range I’m in or 2or 4 wheel drive. I did most of the work myself except welding on the brackets and changing out the gear ratio. It does have a larger differential than the Dana 35.
 
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I did a 8.8 and added a super 88 kit. So far it’s been a great axle and I’m very confident in it. I’m running 35s with a ox locker and really like the versatility of having positive traction no matter what range I’m in or 2or 4 wheel drive. I did most of the work myself except welding on the brackets and changing out the gear ratio. It does have a larger differential than the Dana 35.
Whichever axle I go with, im fully building it before I throw it in. I know there's c clip eliminators, I think im going to go with the super 35, or a tj 44. I found a tj 44 and an 8.8 both for 200 out of wrecked vehicles, or ill just build mine. When I started this jeep project I never would've imagined how many options I have