Ok, so we got a 1995 zj 4.0, all stock with a 2.5 skyjacker kit that we are getting ready for the upcoming TREC race. PLan was to swap a xj 44 into the rear and bolt the stock d35 discs to the 44, this is where assuming gets you, this won't work b/c the flange bolt pattern changed sometime in the early 90's because newer 44's match the 35, so?? And this thing has ABS so that was a big part wanting the 35 discs


Options being considered
D44 with stock drums, eliminate ABS, deal with angry computer?

Ford 8.8, could get discs but the abs is off a sensor in the housing so keeping it working is from what I read a real pita

EB 9" have one of these, could put some type of aftermarket kit on it for discs but abs is unlikely


Am i missing any options? how big of an issue is the abs? I am thinking if the abs is a standalone system, unlike newer cars with a body control module, it may not be a big deal?

i will start a thread later about the buildup for the race...

Sweeeeet.... another trec vehicle!

Don't quote me but I don't believe the missing abs parts will cause anything but no abs and a dummy light on the dash....


That being said, you've only got three weeks until the race.... Might want to just put a truss on the d35 and see if it lasts... There were a lot of guys running D30/D35s in the last season and I don't remember one broken axle shaft.... Just a bunch of smiley faced housings....


Side note, what gears are in the D35.... Dan could probably use them if you swap in a 44...

www.jeepin.com/features/cvdiscs/

www.naxja.org/forum/sh...p?t=967146

If you did the crown vic stuff, you could do it CHEAP if you have a good junkyard network. Take some pb blaster with you and hose it down while a buddy (a cute chick is more effective but if you have a single cab tiny truck to get the parts and space is at a premium, may want to take a couple strong buddies instead...but that's the topic of another thread "efficient and enjoyable junkyarding") haggles the price. Then tear everything you need off of it.

i beleive the ZJ came with a stock d44 rear in some cases. it has an aluminim center section and isn't as strong as a regular 44 but better then the 35. might look into that. or just put drums on it. they should be fine for what it sounds like you're doing.

you would have to be on some GOOD crack to swap in and high speed race an aluminum 44. We like to call them continuously variable gear mesh differentials.

Brandt and I could tell you some stories about that thing but I'm a little irritable today (i had a hard as s*** neurology test yesterday, slept at 2am friday morning, got up ard 6am studied for a couple hours took test at 8am yesterday. Now i'm on spring break. Instead of going home like everyone else since it's spring break now...i decided to stay here and study for the boards so i've been sitting in a classroom since 7am the saturday of spring break the day after a test) so I'm keeping my posts to a minimum.

The 44A came in the 98 version with the 5.9L.... It would not be the axle to swap in for any situation...

The aluminum center would flex depending on the weight/load you'd put on it... You could actually hear the difference in the diff between loaded up or not...

Yep, stay away from the ZJ aluminum center section 44s.

Are they planning on running the ZJ only for TREC or are they planning on using it for a longer term of wheeling?

If it's going to be TREC only, keep the 35 in as long as it's in decent shape. I'd truss the front and rear if you have the steel and time, otherwise you'll be replacing the housing/whole axle later.

If they're planning on wheeling it for a while, I'd swap in whatever you can pick up for the cheapest. Just remember the small stuff like the EB axle being the incorrect lug pattern, brake condition, and other items like that.

What is the stock gear ratio? I know XJs came with the 3.55s if they had an auto trans, but I thought ZJs were 3.73 for some reason...

ok so we went out saturday and got a d44a, i know i know, we thought also that we had a tj 44 available so the plan was take the discs and shafts from the d44a and put them in the tj 44 that was drums, well the guy sold the tj 44 last week and neglected to tell any of us...

so we said f*** the abs and are tearing into a 9" swap with the train of thought being that it is 3" narrower so the bolt pattern can be changed with spacers and it is better then a 44 and way better then the 44a

the jeep is going to be a race vehicle and if it survives his winter daily driver to keep his duramax off the salty roads...

and it has 3.73s and the 9" is unknown as of yet

so any pointers on converting the 9" to discs would be great...

Sweet man. Get it done and be sure to post up random detaails, observations, ramblings and don't forget pictures.

Keep us posted. As a student of the abrar welding school, you must post pictures of welds.

disc'ing a 9" will be a breeze. There's about a million kits and or writeups on it, and a homebrew is probably simple too.