Will commander rear fit under KK?

MarkZ28 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:08 am

Just a curiosity I have for a stronger rear than the Mopar 8.25 that would basically bolt in to a KK. I searched on here and on google, no luck. I did find out that the normal Commanders used the 8.25 Mopar but some came with the Dana 44HD, and both could be had with the electric selectable factory lockers. Im pretty sure the overall width would be wider on the bigger Commander, but the suspension mounts look identical. Main reason Im interested is that the Dana 44 is a stronger axle and there are more aftermarket parts made for it. Anyone ever done this swap or seen it attempted? Thanks.

KrazyKK · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2016 5:19 pm **Posts:** 87

I don't have an answer for you but wanted to chime in and say I'm interested in this now too. haha. You really got some gears turning in my head, dude! I do wonder if the front end is any stronger on the commanders too. It would obviously take a lot of fabrication... but I am picturing a commander/liberty front and rear swap.

As far as my research tells me the Commanders are about 3 inches wider than our Liberties. So in reality the axle may bring the wheels to just past the fender flares.

MarkZ28 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2017 7:26 pm

I havent even looked into the front axle since most of the power goes to the rear axle. Id bet the cv axles up front will be different and have to be custom made. If the front axle is bigger and stronger, it will be wider. Possibly the front suspension can be swapped over also? Only rear Id mess with is the Dana 44hd, open rear. Seen posts about the factory electric locker not holding up. The 8.25 has taken my abuse so far and held up well. Only annoying problem is the pinion seal will not stop leaking. On the third seal and still leaks. I got a speedy sleeve for the yoke just to rule that out. Looks fine but its the only thing that can be causing it now. A new yoke is 130 bucks.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2017 7:44 pm

So I've been holding off commenting until I could do a little research, but I haven't had much time to do so. But anyways here it goes.

First problem you're gonna run into is getting the electronics to work. You'll have abs/tcs and possible speedo issues (ask jeepincrowd for some more info here, he just swapped in a JK D44 rear and Ford 9 ifs front). Aside from that you'll probably have to fab up mounts to make it bolt in.

Now onto the axle. I remember reading somewhere that the WK/XL guys can't regear for some reason. I couldn't find out why, but like I said I haven't had time to look into things.

To get the locker to work, you'll have to see if it's as simple as wiring the switch or if it runs off the Jeeps ecu.

I also don't think it's the standard/typical D44 like you'll find in Wranglers or other trucks. I wanna say it was a D44a, but I could be wrong and could be thinking of older v8 Grands.

I don't want to discourage anything, I'm just saying there's a lot to look into and a lot of research to do if you want to undertake this project. If it helps, the 8.25 is a pretty strong axle, they handle 33s and lockers fine. It's when you push past that a lot of people start doubting them.

MarkZ28 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:41 pm

I wasnt planning on anything soon, but was asking in case it was possible since no other suv or truck uses similar style suspension. If it was a mopar 9.25 rear, Id be more apt to try it. Ill stick with the 8.25 for now. I know the Cherokee guys like them for decent offroading ability without breaking using factory rears. I wont be gettig huge tires or making a lot of power. I do want to convert to a 6 soeed though. I hate automatics.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2017 9:43 pm

MarkZ28 wrote:

Just a curiosity I have for a stronger rear than the Mopar 8.25 that would basically bolt in to a KK. I searched on here and on google, no luck. I did find out that the normal Commanders used the 8.25 Mopar but some came with the Dana 44HD, and both could be had with the electric selectable factory lockers. Im pretty sure the overall width would be wider on the bigger Commander, but the suspension mounts look identical. Main reason Im interested is that the Dana 44 is a stronger axle and there are more aftermarket parts made for it. Anyone ever done this swap or seen it attempted? Thanks.

That D44 is not stronger then your current 8.25 and you can not re-gear that D44 as it's a oddball type of diff that nobody makes anything for and I mean nothing.

Your standard D44 is just marginally stronger then the 8.25 diff(8.3" ring gear versus 8.25" ring gear),the only strength over the 8.25 is the fact that the standard D44's are non-c-clip axles when the 8.25 uses c-clips.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:44 pm

I knew I wasn't crazy about it being a different D44. Don't they make c-clip eliminators for the 8.25?

MarkZ28 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2017 9:22 am

Thank you, that answers my question. Not worth the trouble. Ill have to keep my 8.25 alive.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:46 pm

People hear or read D-44 and get all excited, but in real world many variations of it.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2017 1:48 pm

MarkZ28 wrote:

Thank you, that answers my question. Not worth the trouble. Ill have to keep my 8.25 alive.

The 8.25 is a good strong diff with many gearing options on the market. It's been used for generations on TJ wranglers, XJ Cherokees, and KJ and KK Liberties. The D30A used in the KJ's in the front is a known weak spot, although Jeep improved on it for the KK line and we can run 4.56's whereas KJ's can only go to 4.10 without going to a steel diff.

Will commander rear fit under KK?

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