YJ vs. XJ

so what makes a stock, say YJ, more capable off road than an xj? for some reason i always thought wranglers came with rear dana 44's, making the axles stronger and better suited for lifts and tires. but i dont know much about them apparently. why not just get an xj if you dont get the dana 44 option.? theyre better on-road and much more comfortable.

so what makes a stock, say YJ, more capable off road than an xj? for some reason i always thought wranglers came with rear dana 44's, making the axles stronger and better suited for lifts and tires. but i dont know much about them apparently. why not just get an xj if you dont get the dana 44 option.? theyre better on-road and much more comfortable.


Ok, I'll try this one out.


I'm trying to read between the lines here, it seems you're jumping all over the place.

First you ask, is the YJ more capable off road, then end up, XJ's are more comfortable on-road.

Are you asking for opinions on which vehicle you should get?

All Wrangler's do not come with Dana 44's. Although they are now an option with the Rubicon package.

As far as XJ or YJ is concerned. They are two completely different vehicles. One is a wagon, one is a compact. I'm really confused here.

Or, by chance are you meaning TJ (New Wrangler), instead of XJ (Cherokee)?

It would probably be more of a personal preference of what the primary usage will be. They are both good jeeps. Only you can decide as you will need to be satisfied. If you're intending to go with larger tires and a lift (the reason why you are looking for dana44's??) the only wrangler that comes standard with those axles that i am aware of is a rubicon but that would be a tj and not a yj so you'll need to do some hunting for a yj with 44's as it was not standard equipment.

Anyway, an xj would come stock with a corp. 8.25 in the rear.

Oh, and both the yj and xj have square eyes........nice... and you get to decide.

so what makes a stock, say YJ, more capable off road than an xj? for some reason i always thought wranglers came with rear dana 44's, making the axles stronger and better suited for lifts and tires. but i dont know much about them apparently. why not just get an xj if you dont get the dana 44 option.? theyre better on-road and much more comfortable.

A stock YJ really isnt more "capable" than a stock XJ off road. Although, my personal opinion is that its generally more "suited" for offroad because it has less body to bend and less glass to break. A YJ also has a full frame instead of a unitized body/frame like the XJ. A YJ has larger wheel wells than an XJ so you dont have to lift as high to run the same size tire.
As for the YJ being less comfortable, Theres that Jeep thing nobody understands.
YJs never came with a D44. The only rear axle they came with was the D35. A few XJs came with D44s from 87-89, after that they came with either the D35 or Chrysler 8.25. Some TJ sports and Saharas come with a rear D44 and all Rubicons have a front and rear D44.

so the dana 44 wasnt even an option for the yj's? and is there any way to tell a 44 from a 35 just by looking at it?

so the dana 44 wasnt even an option for the yj's? and is there any way to tell a 44 from a 35 just by looking at it?

Its true, Yjs never had the D44 option.
A D44 is shaped kinda like an apple laying on its side while a D35 is exactly oval and simetrical on bottom. Also from about 89 or 90 on, the D35 has a rubber plug. All D44s have a metal screw in plug.

ok. thanx for clearing that up. and im pretty sure its from 91 and up with rubber plugs because my 1990 xj has a metal one and its a 35.

I have owned both a Cherokee (1988) and a Wrangler (2001) and found that the Cherokee was a great work horse and had great times in the desert (sold it with 210K) and the Wranger seems a bit more bouncy in travels, is also a work horse and gets into tighter spaces. I love them both though.

If you are wanting a smoother ride then it's the Cherokee.

Happy Jeepin '''''''