10 Bolt or D44 ?

[njonl]

I recently bought a 14 Bolt for my rear. Now, I need to find something for the front. Should I just use the 10 Bolt thats in there ? What do I need to do to make it 8 lug ? How does it compare to the D44 ? Thanks.

-Nick

 

[dremu]

D44's and 10 bolts are generally considered equal in strength.

The outer parts (knuckles out) are identical, so you can interchange to upgrade to 8 lug if you want.

You'll find folks here selling 8-lug packages occasionally, but be aware that shipping the rotors can be costly /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I've not done the 8-lug thing myself yet, so I don't know what parts are required.

-- A

 

[BowtieBlazer]

For the converion you will need backing plates from a 3/4 ton, spindles hubs and rotors

I swapped flat top knuckles, i went from a 10 bolt to a d44 back to a 10 bolt
the shaft diameter isnt different enough to bother me, if I break a 10 bolt shaft chances are i would have broken a 44 shaft

Pics of shaft comparison 10 bolt shafts pictured top d44 bottom /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

 

[rjfguitar]

The easiest and cheapest way to do it is to get BOTH the front and back axles out of a 3/4 ton truck. By the time you screw with trying to find and buy 8 lug hubs and get the gear ratio changed to match the 4.10 rear you will have way more money than just picking up a complete 3/4 ton front 10B with 8 lug hubs and 4.10 gears.

 

[dodgedude99]

maybe its just on some that you have to switch the spindles.
i had bought a set of 3/4 tons and the dana 44 was full time. i was given another set of spindles and hubs.
well the one spindle was not good, and the full time spindles needed new axle shaft bearings, the 6 lug 10 bolt i took out, i used one of the spindles and it fit the 6 lug spindle.

 

[dorucol]

I did the 10 bolt conversion a few years back. You must have the mounting brackets from the dealer, for the calipers, about $70 each when I did this. Hubs and rotors came from Auto Zone, again $70 each.Otherwise, bearings, seals, calipers and pads are the same as 3/4 ton 8 lug. One other thing, if you are going to use 15 inch wheels, you must grind the outer 3/4 inch of the caliper, and the high spots on the mounting brackets to clear 15 inch wheels.