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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 12:58:23 GMT -5
Just found a guy with a 98 Grand he is parting out so i figured I would snag the dana 44a out of the back to replace my turdy 5. If anyone wants to lend a hand and have some fun with the swap just let me know.
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Post by billdacat on Jun 3, 2009 16:10:48 GMT -5
Where are you located? Is there a HP30 on that rig?
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 16:22:24 GMT -5
Im in Mount Holly so no room to do it at my house, Im gonna convince a friend to let me use his garage. ;D
And no Im pretty sure all ZJ's came with the LP30 in the front. Im trying to run 33's and would need to regear so I figured I would do the axle swap at the same time instead of breaking the 35 then regearing again on a new axle.
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Jun 3, 2009 17:08:58 GMT -5
What gears are in the 44? If it's not the same as your front you shouldn't use 4wd until you regear you'll push the front down the trail.
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 17:15:38 GMT -5
3.73 gears and yeah I thought of that. After I pick it up im gonna try to install it in the coming weeks before the end of the month. My full time job does not start until the end of June. Im gonna try to take advantage of all the free time.
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 17:35:30 GMT -5
Gonna pick it up friday for 300. The guy said its very clean but what would you guys say is the best way to get the rust off?
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Jun 3, 2009 18:03:06 GMT -5
Cover it with mud ;D I clean it with brake clean. Then wire wheel it. Clean again with acetone and spray with Krylon rust tough. Don't spray the pinion seal with the brake clean. Hand clean around that.
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 19:12:56 GMT -5
Yeah I was gonna pick up a wire wheel at harbor freight. Thanks for the tip. I want to get it cleaned, primed, and painted before I get it installed.
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Post by Founding Father on Jun 3, 2009 21:21:44 GMT -5
P.O.R it look better and will never rust again
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Jun 3, 2009 21:32:16 GMT -5
$45 a quart + top coat and you brush on.
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Post by bobenbeth on Jun 3, 2009 21:43:57 GMT -5
before you buy it do a couple web searches on the zj 44's
I looked into this as well (disc brakes) and everything i found said the zj 44 has an aluminum carrier and is not as strong as say a TJ D44. The D35 is actually equivalent to the zj aluminum D44.
Just do a few searches before you spend any money yet make sure its what you want.
If you have to rear gear the front anyway and you are only running 33's you may want to upgrade the D35.
Just a thought .
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 3, 2009 21:54:36 GMT -5
Thats surprising. Everything I have read from Jeep Forums and Super Crawlin have said the 44a is a definite upgrade
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Post by muckcityjeep on Jun 4, 2009 14:26:01 GMT -5
I researched some of the specifics and its turns out that the ring and pinion in a 44a is larger and stronger than the 44 and is actually the same size as a dana 60.
Yes the pumpkin is aluminum but I dont think its a problem. I dont do much rock crawling and if I start Ill just get the 44a trussed.
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Post by bobenbeth on Jun 4, 2009 19:18:38 GMT -5
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Post by HamiltonLJ on Jun 4, 2009 19:40:36 GMT -5
I think the 44a is plenty strong as long as your not bashing it on rocks all the time. The guy's on the XJ site say it's not worth the effort because it has to be changed to leaf spring and all that stuff. As for Phillip it's a direct fit in his ZJ.
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