Should I buy a Dana 44

[Boinked]

Long story .....
So i went down to a local junk yard ( auto recycling center for the politically correct) To pick up a new gas tank. Mine cracked. The guy said he had a 99 with a custom skid plate. So i wanted to look at it thinking hell i might as well upgrade it if i liked it. So we went out to look at it. Turns out to be a 99 Sahara with a Dana 44. The skid plate was a genright crawler. It had some scratches and a small amount of rust (Arizona surface rust). But i saw that beautiful Dana 44 under it. This jeep was hit in both ends. Front was totaled. Looked like the rear was just a small impact. As far as i can tell all the brackets are still straight except one is a little twisted (easily replaced). It had been regeared to 4.56. (My current gears). So after paying for the tank. I blew off the skid plate till i go back Monday to get the tank. Then i think it might be cheaper. (Hopefully) i asked him how much for the Dana 44 rear. He is asking 1250. He claims it has a posi Trac dif.
Ok now my question. I just got my new gears. Less then 800 miles on them (Dana 35). Should i just bite the bullet and get it? Im always sceptical about junk yard axles.

 

[Mike Jolley]

I wouldn't buy anything without pulling the cover and figuring out exactly what diff is inside there. No telling what posi trac means to him and since it has been regeared who knows what's in there. Now if it has a something like a Detroit tru trac and the housing is straight then it's a good price. If it has a lunchbox ratcheting style locker then I would not pay more than $800. One bracket a little twisted and easily replaced should still reduce the cost by at least $200.

I have a Dana 44 rear with and ARB locker regeared to 4.56's in mine and I doubt I would be able to sell it for more than $1,500. At some point I do plan to upgrade to a Ford 8.8 (with a Yukon C-Clip eliminator kit) or Dana 60 (if I find a box of cash somewhere).

 

[Boinked]

Very good point. I really should have taken a closer look at it to see if maybe it had a true locker in it.

I will get a better look Monday when i pick up my tank. I really didn't have much time to wonder around. But i did see a 04 lj that was crashed. It made me cry a little inside.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

At some point I do plan to upgrade to a Ford 8.8 (with a Yukon C-Clip eliminator kit) or Dana 60 (if I find a box of cash somewhere).

I'd do a lot of questionable things before I'd install an 8.8, and there's no benefit to the c-clip eliminator which is one reason its developer, mrblaine, doesn't recommend them. The problem with axles breaking and sliding out to the side is not caused by the c-clip which is still fully intact after a shaft breakage. The c-clip does nothing to trigger or encourage the shaft breakage which is due solely to the axle shaft being pushed too hard... which would not often be a problem with the 31 spline 8.8 axle shafts anyway.

I'd go with the Dana 44 over the 8.8 with its reduced ground clearance and pinion location that is further off to the side compared to the Dana 35 or Dana 44 without a moment's hesitation.