IMO both are equal when assembled with quality parts. Both have strong aftermarket support; IE- gears/lockers/carriers/axle shafts/trusses… It’s preference on what you already have and if you want to change that. I would leave the 8 1/4 in as it would be less work than swapping a JKU rear D44.
Never knew the 44 and 8.25 were so close. For me, I prefer the 44 as that is what I'm familiar with. On the other hand, I agree with Jeep Driver as leaving the 8.25 in place. Then again on the OTHER other hand, you are solid axle swapping a Liberty so I don't think a little extra work would scare you. From a business point and for time, we do not swap axles unless they're a bolt in job. We will regear your axles but that's about as far as we'll go axle wise outside of lifts and regular maintenance. 🤙🤟👍
Appreciate the info I'm still weighing the pros and cons of all the options. It's blows my mind that I can spend twice as much on axles than I bought my jeep for lol
@@millwright15 I've got an 00 xj running 31.5s with d30lp still with 3.55 gears. Want Either a d30hp or d44 with 4.56 gears on 33s. Luckily I have the Chrysler 8.25 29 spline out back so I'm just going to truss it with 4.56, ox locker, chromoly shafts and a disk conversion and call that done.
@@randomritchie A D30 will handle the 33’s just fine. I went way overkill on a D30 build for an XJ with 4.88’s, RCV’s, locker, trussed, gusseted and it held up to me beating the daylights out of it on 37’s for about a year!
@@millwright15 That's what I was thinking, junkyard d30hp is still cheap. Buying a $3000 d44 and dumping another $3000 into it was really hurting my brain. I don't beat up my rig mostly intermediate wheeling.
