I purchased a1999 TJ with swapped axles. The rear I was told is a ford 8.8 from an 01 explorer. The front is a dana 44 from "a TJ Rubicon" however my research seems to indicate that TJ rubicons only came with dana 44s in the rear. the local O'reillys said they don't have anything in their system for a dana 44 front prior to some year way after the TJs. My real issue is this, my dirver side wheel bearing needs to be replaced but I don't know what part I need. O'reilly's said it can't be a dana 44. However the diff cover looks like the examples on line of dana 44s... ofcourse other axles could look similar.
Further, Google tells me that Dana 44 should be stamped on a support fin, but it isn't. Google also says the long side axle tube should have a number stamped in it that will tell me where it originally came from, but it doesn't (unless it is on top under the welded on truss). The only number I see is 54213. I found an old thread about a diff that looks a lot like mine, https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/can-you-id-this-front-axle.1447014/ and they say it is from a ruibcon but it isn't clear if it is a TJ rubicon or a later Rubicon? Given there is nothing stamped on my axle tubes, would that indicate it is from an aftermarket manufactHourer?
Does any of this even matter? Can I just ask for a bearing, and everything else I need for a later model rubicon with a dana 44? O'reilly's just wasn't any help.
Further, Google tells me that Dana 44 should be stamped on a support fin, but it isn't. Google also says the long side axle tube should have a number stamped in it that will tell me where it originally came from, but it doesn't (unless it is on top under the welded on truss). The only number I see is 54213. I found an old thread about a diff that looks a lot like mine, https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/can-you-id-this-front-axle.1447014/ and they say it is from a ruibcon but it isn't clear if it is a TJ rubicon or a later Rubicon? Given there is nothing stamped on my axle tubes, would that indicate it is from an aftermarket manufactHourer?
Does any of this even matter? Can I just ask for a bearing, and everything else I need for a later model rubicon with a dana 44? O'reilly's just wasn't any help.