Swapping in a Dana 44 from a Honda Passport

Jackjack97

Jackjack97

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 7, 2020
Messages
247
Location
Sacramento CA
I am considering swapping my Dana 35c for a Honda passport/Isuzu rodeo Dana 44. I would like to get disk brakes. I am okay with the bolt pattern since I will be putting chromollys in. I am also comfortable with welding on new brackets. The main downside is it is 3/4” shorter. Is having an axle slightly less wide a bad idea? What are the best years to swap from? Anything to look out for?
 
Why thought? Why go through all the effort of this when you can just get a Dana 44 from a TJ, which are very common as it is.

I don't think it's going to be a huge difference that it's 3/4" shorter.
 
Agreed. Even if that axle is free, you are going to spend what a bolt in TJ Dana 44 costs on making it work.
 
I paid $550 for a disc brake Dana 44 out of an '05 LJ that bolted right in to my 99 (with '05 LJ e-brake cables being the only additional part I had to change). No way would converting something have saved enough money to be worth the trouble.
 
freedom_in_4low said:
I paid $550 for a disc brake Dana 44 out of an '05 LJ that bolted right in to my 99 (with '05 LJ e-brake cables being the only additional part I had to change). No way would converting something have saved enough money to be worth the trouble.
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where on earth did you get a Dana 44 for $550?? Everyone i've talked to wants $1500.
 
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L0jik said:
where on earth did you get a Dana 44 for $550?? Everyone i've talked to wants $1500.
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In some parts of US that is not an unusual prices to see.
On other hand, finding a decently priced Jeep part (or if you can find one at all) in Florida is like finding a holy grail.
 
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Personally, I would go for a JK Dana 44 or Ford 8.8 if the TJ Dana 44 wasn't an option. The JK Dana 44 is significantly stronger and is wider as well. The 8.8 would require a significant amount of work, but is well supported by the aftermarket.
 
Steel City 06 said:
Personally, I would go for a JK Dana 44 or Ford 8.8 if the TJ Dana 44 wasn't an option. The JK Dana 44 is significantly stronger and is wider as well. The 8.8 would require a significant amount of work, but is well supported by the aftermarket.
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JK Dana44 is a lot of work too, unless your going to run JK front and rear axles and shorten neither of them.
Also you have to get wheels that fit their bolt pattern.
 
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L0jik said:
where on earth did you get a Dana 44 for $550?? Everyone i've talked to wants $1500.
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It was on Craigslist. Guy listed both axles for $1600, I called and asked what he wanted for the 44. I think he said 1200, I passed and heard back from him a week later.

The key is finding someone that just has the desire to get rid of it and isn't trying to supplement their income. It takes patience.
 
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