Does anyone know if you can swap a JK rear dana 44 w/locker into the rear of the kj. I read mopar is selling them for about $2000. This is probably a similar cost as swapping in a rear arb into the kj. I also heard mopar will be releasing the axles with TJ suspension brackets so you can swap them in easier to TJ's.

The 8.25" is similar is strength to the Dana 44. Not a much of an upgrade. Better to spending that $2000 on upgrading your suspension and putting some wheels and tires.....

Lift....$700
Tires....$500
Wheels....$220
Misc....(lugs, mounting, balancing, alignment)....$150


If you really want to do an axle swap, you should start on the front.....but you're going to need a whole lot more than $2000, try $8-10,000 for a cheap SFA....better start saving your pennies, I know I am!!!

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2002 Jeep KJ Sport 3.7L 4x4

245/75-16 Mastercraft Courser HSX, 16x7 Cragar, 2" OME MD Lift, ARB Bumper
AEM Brute Force Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster Super 44 Muffler

Currently working on: Full service on transmission & bed-lining ARB bumper

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=84650

They are already selling jk 44 rears. They should be releasing the jk 44 fronts with tj brackets soon.

a ARB should run $1200 or so installed.

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Jeepless again.

Wheeling an Isuzu Rodeo on 1 tons
and a Stock Chevy Tracker

Have you thought of the speedometer issues that must be addressed
easier/cheaper just to install an ARB

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

And a different bolt pattern, so add $$ for new wheels.

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WWW.ROCKLIZARDFABRICATIONS.COM

aaaah, i see. i just thought it might be easier to swap an axle then put in a locker but that does not appear to be the case here. I read about the axles in January edition of 'Petersen's 4 wheel & offroad' magazine. In it there is an article about a sfa swap kit for a chevy s10 blazer. The article claims that the sfa kit is cheaper than a traditional ifs lift. (not including axle and other parts likely) They say it is cheaper because they use tj d44 axles. Not sure how that works but it is an interesting read. It's probably easier for the sfa on the s10 because it looks like it has a frame to mount to also.

Need to weld brackets on-$400+ labor
Need to figure speedo issue out-$who knows
Need new rear driveshaft-$350+
Can not get the same gear ratio as the fronts unless you go to 4.10's-$500+



And the final thing is the JK rear D44 is about 4" wider then the 8.25 in the KJ.

I know that KJ's in Venezuela have the D44 rear and it seems that also D44 front, some legal topic there related a % of parts assemblied in a vehicle there, those guys told us that KJ are also assemblied there and they have a Dana fabric there....I know about the Dana plant, but about a KJ assemblied in Venezuela? I know that KJ comes from Toledo plant..
I'm not sure about this

Those KJ's are standard 6 speed

I don't know if those are CRDs...

Yes, i heard that some KJs have the D44 in the rear but i have not heard about a D44 up front. If that were true i'm sure that many on this site would be trying to get one to put in their KJ.