The Super 44 Kit from Superior Axle & Gear equips a stock Dana 44 axle with 33-spline axleshafts and offers the option of converting to a larger 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern.
Makers of the popular Super 35 Kit designed to add strength to Jeep TJs equipped with Dana 35 rear axles, Superior Axle & Gear is now offering its Super 44 kit for Jeep TJs with the Dana 44 factory option. Using Superior's Evolution-series axleshafts, the kit affords the ability to upgrade the stock 30-spline axleshafts to 33-spline 'shafts for a significant increase in strength. This is an excellent means of gaining rear axle muscle without the expense or hassle of a custom axle swap.
Superior designed, engineered, and manufactured the Super 44 Kit in-house, basing improvements upon customer feedback. The Evolution-series axles are constructed from an induction-hardened alloy and offer cold-formed rolled splines, which are said to be as much as 40 percent stronger than the usual cut-spline process. The axleshafts feature a DuraCoat finish and are predrilled for dual bolt patterns for those eager to upgrade to a larger 5 on 5-1/2 lug pattern. Each kit offers everything required for a simple bolt-in installation, and includes left and right axleshafts, a newly designed 33-spline Detroit Locker, Timken tapered roller bearings, axle bearings and seals, and Grade 8 thread-in lug studs. Superior also indicated that a 33-spline Dana 44 ARB Air Locker option should be available later this year.
Recommended for Jeep TJ vehicles equipped with 35-inch-or-larger tires, or those seeking a heavier-duty axle option without the added weight and expense of a Dana 60, the Super 44 Kit from Superior Axle & Gear is a great alternative to achieving the bulletproof axle assembly your Jeep TJ deserves. We followed along with the crew at Currie Enterprises as it carried out a Super 44 installation on a vehicle that had previously fallen victim to a broken 30-spline axleshaft. Check out the photos and captions to discover what benefits the Super 44 can offer your vehicle.
1. Superior's Super 44 Kit includes two 33-spline 'shafts, axle and differential bearings and seals, and a new 33-spline Detroit Locker. | 
2. The kit uses Superior's Evolution-series 33-spline axleshafts (right), replacing the stock 30-spline units (left). The Superior 'shafts are constructed from an induction-hardened alloy and feature cold-formed rolled splines, which are said to be as much as 40 percent stronger than cut splines. | 
3. The vehicle in which we're installing the Superior kit had previously snapped one of its 30-spline 'shafts. Note the lower portion of the splines where the axleshaft began to twist before breaking under pressure. |
4. Another view of the broken 30-spline axleshaft shows how far the 'shaft was allowed to twist before reaching its breaking point. The splines are twisted right up to where the 'shaft snapped, and are straight beyond that. | 
5. With the stock differential removed, the crew at Currie Enterprises began the process of installing the new 33-spline Detroit Locker. Here, the shim packs are situated in place before the bearings and differential are installed. | 
6. Since we weren't changing our gear ratio, we used the same gears that were previously installed in the differential. After the ring gear was removed from the original locker, it was installed on the new Detroit unit. |
7. The new 33-spline Detroit Locker was then positioned in the 'housing using the provided shims and bearings. | 
8 & 9. Blue Loctite was applied to the bearing strap bolts, which were then installed into the axlehousing to secure the new differential in place. |  |
10. The crew at Currie Enterprises used a dial indicator to ensure the proper backlash of the gearset. The backlash was checked before the gears were initially removed, making the setup process much easier. | 
11. Once the proper setup was determined, the bearing strap bolts were torqued in place. | 
12. With the new 33-spline Detroit Locker set up and secured in place, the crew at Currie Enterprises moved to the axleshaft assembly. |
13. Once the provided lug studs were threaded into the Evolution-series 33-spline 'shafts, the new 'shafts were installed into the axlehousing. | 
14 & 15. The new axleshafts were then secured in place and torqued to spec. |  |
16 & 17. As a final step, the crew at Currie Enterprises installed the differential cover and filled the assembly with fluid. |  | 
18. With the brake rotors and calipers in place, installation of the Superior Axle & Gear Super 44 Kit was complete. |