Hi,
It is important to note that there are actually TWO production lines of Jeep vehicles that use the names "Cherokee" and "Wagoneer."
First, you have the vehicles known by the Jeep code "SJ". These vehicles carried the name Cherokee and Wagoneer. They were built from I believe the mid '70s to like 1986-ish. These are known as Full Size Jeeps. They are large vehicles.
Next, you have the vehicles known by the Jeep Code "XJ". These vehicles ALSO carry the names Cherokee and Wagoneer. The XJ Cherokee (AKA the MID-SIZED cherokee) was produced from 1984 to 2001. The XJ Wagoneer (AKA the MID-SIZED Wagoneer) was produced from 1984 - 1991.
And lastly (as a side note
The Jeep vehicles coded the ZJ (1993-1996?) and WJ (1997-present) are now named the Grand Cherokee. These vehicles in NO way related to XJ or SJ Cherokees/Wagoneers except for the shared Cherokee name.
Most of the time, Cherokee or Wagoneer is said referring to the XJ line. Anytime you are talking about the SJ line, it is common to call them the Full Sized Jeeps.
Now, to your question... The XJ Cherokees ONLY had DANA 44 rear axles ONLY from like '86 - '89 model years... fairly uncommon. The Full Sized (SJ) Cherokees and Wagoneers had BOTH DANA 44 Front and rear axles for some time (not sure exactly when).
Hope that makes sense :mrgreen:
-Nick :!: