8.25 to 8-3/4 or nah!??

MOPEkidD-3 said

Is it possible to find dana 44s with the 5x4.5" bolt pattern? I know they aren't very common from the XJs but aren't the Grand Cherokee ones too wide for an A-body also?

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Technically a bit too wide- basically E body width. '96-'98 V8 Grands have the 44as. '99-up was the new bolt pattern and I think those axles are almost 3" wider than the old ones. Technically if you were savvy enough to spot on 44 in a YJ or an XJ, that'd be a better bet than the 44a due to width.

TrailBeast said

I think I remember one side has to be shortened and use another short side axle.
I have Jeep wheels on my 4.5 pattern right now, so I know they are are out there and pretty common.

Paid 70 for all four from a craigslist ad.

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Pretty sure that's for an 8.8, technically don't think you'd have to for a 44a. But you'd have to add perches to go leaf, and if swapping from a 7.25 couldn't reuse them.

Sure seems like if you can break an 8.25, an 8.75 is just as liable to. Lots of cheap gearsets but while some 8.75s have the crush sleeves- all 8.25s do.