Ford 8.8 vs JK Dana 44

A super 35 cost more than what a TJ 44 can be found for.

Revolution’s, “Super35,” kit uses Chinese axles. If given the choice to buy American, buy your, “Super35,” axles from Dutchman Axle, as they are built in the USA using domestic materials.
 
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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
If you have money to spend and want something very very nice, Dynatrac makes a, “ProRock,” 44 which has more ground clearance than a standard 44; likely the same as a Dana 35. Solid numbers would back this up, I don't have them as this time.
 
The Ford 8.8 isn't a well liked axle here and for a TJ it is a lot more work for close to the same results as a TJ Dana 44.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ford-8-8-axle-swap-info-faq.66/
The only time it makes sense is if you can pick it up for free or next to nothing and then do all the work yourself. If none of those apply then do either the Super 35 or the TJ Dana 44.
 
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I was dead set on dana 60s, but then I took axle clearance into effect.
How much actual research did you do? Im guessing you are on a junk yard budget. A Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 (Over-Engineered Dana 60) has more ground clearance than a Dana 44....Dynatrac offers them as empty housings all the way up to bolt in TJ/LJ solutions.

Dynatrac also has Pro Rock 44 options that utilize Dana 30/TJ Dana 44 knuckles and breaks
 
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How much actual research did you do? Im guessing you are on a junk yard budget. A Dynatrac Pro Rock 60 (Over-Engineered Dana 60) has more ground clearance than a Dana 44....Dynatrac offers them as empty housings all the way up to bolt in TJ/LJ solutions.

Dynatrac also has Pro Rock 44 options that utilize Dana 30/TJ Dana 44 knuckles and breaks
Im not on a complete junk yard budget, but id like to save money where I can
 
I guess it started off as a budjet thing for me with the ford 8.8 , but after I got started , I really enjoyed learning all about the ford 8.8 and how it was used , "back in the day". I really had a blast doing the work I did , and all the good advice from peope on this forum. Also Stu offroad had a great install artical .
 
A super 35 cost more than what a TJ 44 can be found for.

Revolution’s, “Super35,” kit uses Chinese axles. If given the choice to buy American, buy your, “Super35,” axles from Dutchman Axle, as they are built in the USA using domestic materials.
That’s apples to oranges. Especially if you already have a Dana 35. Once you get the tj44 you’re still going to need to get a locker and upgrade the axle shafts and get a new driveshaft.

Super 35: $1k total. Done.

TJ 44: axle - $1k, locker - $700, shafts- $400 = $2100 + new driveshaft + immediate regear + doing an axle swap for basically the exact same thing as the super 35.
 
Can I use a c clip eliminator with this? I'm just not a fan of c clips
There is literally absolutely nothing wrong with the c-clips themselves, they are NOT (!) the cause of failures nor do the C-clips fail. Even the 8.8 axle uses c-clips.

The issue that people blame on the c-clip design is actually caused by the 27 spline shafts that are too weak for larger tires or lockers. When the shaft breaks the outside of the axle shaft slides out along with the wheel which is a trait of c-clip axles but if you replace the shaft with a strong-enough shaft like the 1541H 30 spline, you don't get axle shaft breakages so the c-clip design doesn't hurt you.

It is for this reason that the c-clip eliminator kit that was provided with early Super 35 kits is no longer included or available. Once you get to strong enough shafts the c-clip design is no longer a problem. Like it s not a problem with the 8.8 since it has significantly stronger 31 spline shafts. If they don't break, the c-clip design is no longer an issue.

So that's why you don't see c-clip eliminator kits being installed with Super 35 kits, they're simply an extra unneeded cost that has no reason or benefit making it worth making, buying, or installing.
 
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.
LOL, I guess I came in late. Disregard :D

The pinion is off to the left a few inches, what else? It's still a c-clip axle but it's strong for what we do.
 
LOL, I guess I came in late. Disregard :D

The pinion is off to the left a few inches, what else? It's still a c-clip axle but it's strong for what we do.
It has a huge pumpkin so it reduces ground clearance and it takes a lot of expertise in being able to set up the new brackets and weld them into place. Few wheelers are up to that job and the cost to have someone else do the work is not insignificant. It's a hell of a lot easier to just install a Super 35 kit.
 
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It has a huge pumpkin so it reduces ground clearance and it takes a lot of expertise in being able to set up the new brackets and weld them into place. Few wheelers are up to that job and the cost to have someone else do the work is not insignificant. It's a hell of a lot easier to just install a Super 35 kit.
It does reduce clearance some, but with the axle tubes being larger it does raise the jeep back up about 5/8 of an inch.. and that helps . If i had not already bought my 8.8 for 150.00 and taken the brackets off myself and preped for the brackets . I probably would have gone with the super 35 kit.
 
Im not on a complete junk yard budget, but id like to save money where I can
In that same manner; buy once, cry once is something I would consider if I was you.
You mentioned you were dead set on 60’s but that they lack ground clearance. However the Dynatrac does not, it exceeds your requirement. I imagine Currie RockJock’s come close as well. I felt it was only fair to be transparent about an option that meets your requirement in full. But like I said, you have to really want/need the 60’s if looking at a Dynatrac ProRock 60. Another option is their ProRock 44 which may exceed the Dana 35 ground clearance measurements. I’d love to find one to measure and document.

It’s amazing that a Dana 60 can have more ground clearance than a Dana 44 while still maintaining it’s 9-3/4 inch ring gear and can run huge 40 spline axles. An aftermarket axle that would never need second thought is a pretty cool concept.
 
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It does reduce clearance some, but with the axle tubes being larger it does raise the jeep back up about 5/8 of an inch.. and that helps . If i had not already bought my 8.8 for 150.00 and taken the brackets off myself and preped for the brackets . I probably would have gone with the super 35 kit.
Thank God the cast housing are perfectly ok when being dragged across the rocks...I think it will live.
 
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