How to do a Simple Axle Swap - Dana 35 to Dana 44

This is a video covering how to do an axle swap on a Jeep Wrangler TJ. It is very similar for Jeep JK as well. Early in the video I stated I was going to talk briefly about the front pinion seal replacement, however, I didn't film that part.
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Last updated: May 11, 2023

[@JS-sh3nq]

This is years of experience here. Great video. Keep them coming.

[@GunSmoke098]

Closed end of a 13mm wrench slides right over parking brake cables and disengages the fingers.

[@TheBFHGarage]

Never thought about that... I'll have to try that next time! 👍👍

[@Burke_Motorsports]

That flex starting at 1:34 had me rolling. 💪

[@mefistofer]

So professional Mike, great work! I have to replace the control arms on my Cherokee due to wear this will help a lot!

[@DonNagel9250]

Excellent advice and video!

[@dangelo5427]

Going to save me so much time. Great video. Thank you

[@mycomputerguylarry]

Thanks for the video I am doing this in a month or so...

[@tsmith578]

Hey Mike,. Here's something for you to try for removing parking brake cables,. Find yourself a old old hold down spring from some drum brakes and clip / cut / grind the ends of it You can thread it on the parking brake retaining clip to release the tabs from the bracket. I have used this method for a lot of them with pretty good results. Thank you for your videos. Tim from Wisconsin.

[@trashandtrail]

Awesome!

[@ScrapMetalJr]

a 13 mm box end makes quick work of those brake cables, esp a ratcheting wrench. slide over cable and with a few spins they pop out.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

I had so many problems with dana 44a in wj. I swapped in a dana 35. My dana 44a had the more expensive axle shafts. The bolt in ones for the locker.

[@Thundarr995]

Whenever I take those phased drive shafts apart,now anyway, 😂I mark it in 2 different spots, with 2 different colors. Just in case the paint somehow gets wiped off. Awhile ago I replaced the carrier bearing on my S-10 drive shaft. I marked it,but the paint mark got scraped off when I removed the bearing. I didn't realize it until I installed the new bearing and I couldn't find the paint mark on the splined shaft. Lucky for me,It only went together 1 way. The factory made 1 of the splines extra wide. Not all of them are like that through. That would've been really bad if that drive shaft didn't have that because that truck was my only transportation at the time.

[@robertdoran7387]

Got a 2003 Wrangler X with D30 front and D35 rear. Hoping I can just buy a Rubicon D44 and bolt it right on the rear suspension parts.

[@robertware8643]

I’m building a new rear axle housing Dana 44 4.56 it’s going to be fun

[@TheBFHGarage]

Lots of fun and don't forget to check out my other videos detailing axle work!

[@robertware8643]

Roger that!

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

could he put Bump Stop Pad extensions, so the bump stop hits the pad extension to bottom out before the shock bottoms out?

[@TheBFHGarage]

That's exactly what you want to do... Just not 5" worth

[@shawnt1975]

@@TheBFHGarage I hate it when my shock is to long

[@kyleharris3]

Do you not have to change the front gears to match the rear?... I've always heard if you change one, you have to change the other.

[@TheBFHGarage]

Yes absolutely!

[@tylerdeal1498]

can you use the d 44 with stock driveshaft and no sye? I have a 35 now and looking to upgrade.

[@TheBFHGarage]

More than likely you will have to get your drive shaft shortened by an inch. The D44 is one inch longer. Sometimes people don't have to, so be sure to measure.

[@tylerdeal1498]

@@TheBFHGarage ok thanks will do.

[@josearguello6989]

does he have a SYE without adjustable control arms?

[@TheBFHGarage]

Yes. Small lift so SYE isn't truly needed but they bought it that way. If they increase lift, they will need adjustable control arms.

[@feralkid9315]

first!