Evolution of pimping a dana 44

[Hogback Fabrication]

Correct me if I am wrong, but could you also use a higher spline count diff, and have Yukon/RCD/Superior/ect cut you a set of custom axleshafts?

I have seen guys do that to the 10bolts, swapping a rear diff into the front and having yukon make them some. I know they was factory offered in 30 spline, like the rear, but its not as common as the 28 spline so less supported. Wonder if you could also do the 44 like that. I mean, that would be a pretty solid 44 after all that.

There are options for bigger than 30 spline D44 shafts, but the problem is that you can't make all the other parts bigger without using D60 type parts. Sure, you can buy a D44 locker with bigger splines but the u-joint is stuck at the same size and the outer shaft still has to fit through a D44 spindle, so you're still stuck with that smaller size. And you still have the D44 ring gear.

The D44 has it's place, but it's really hard to justify a "fully built" one over a D60. A stock Dana 60 front, with 35 spline outers, will best a "built" Dana 44 by a wide margin in every way.

 

[Stomis]

The CTM's alone are pushing $500, how do you get four chromoly shafts for ~$100-300?

Holy balls I dont know why I thought CTMs were in the same range as OX and Longfield u joints...

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaak no...... CTM's are like $259/each.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Chris has it right, tho....

If I had/was gonna spend $2000, to upgrade a 1/2 ton axle.
I'd prolly be buying a D60 and going from there.

 

[454Sub]

The thing with his build is, he doesnt have the weight or HP to completely justify a 60. Remember, he isnt building a 6500lb Blazer or 7000lb Suburban, he will be lucky to weigh half that.

I would say, a 44 with just some decent shafts, joints, and a ring/pinion kit would stand up to what your going to be doing with the Izuzu.

 

[Stomis]

The thing with his build is, he doesnt have the weight or HP to completely justify a 60. Remember, he isnt building a 6500lb Blazer or 7000lb Suburban, he will be lucky to weigh half that.

I would say, a 44 with just some decent shafts, joints, and a ring/pinion kit would stand up to what your going to be doing with the Izuzu.

Hell with 33s right now just a dana 44 with full circle clips is beef lol.

Chris has it right, tho....

If I had/was gonna spend $2000, to upgrade a 1/2 ton axle.
I'd prolly be buying a D60 and going from there.

454sub is right. I would never advocate spending that kinda of dough for a fullsize unless you were adamant about sticking to a 35in or smaller tire and a small block.

And there are absolutely times where I would recommend a dana 60 under a smaller rig. Big blocks, 4bts, huge meats they all apply to the "throw it in its time for a dana 60 logic"

 

[6.2Blazer]

Personally I think some people are making a bigger deal out the size and weight difference between a 60 and 44 then it really is. There is a time and place for a D44, but when you are talking about spending thousands of dollars on beefing up a 44 that is where the I think the line is. I wheel with several guys with D60's in the front of their Jeeps with 6 cylinders and 37 - 38" tires and have never heard any of them say "man, this D60 is just too big"

 

[moneypit_K5]

man I dont know what your doing with that trooper but wow.

IM building a HP 44 as we speak for my cherokee, and I know it will do anything I need it to, and my rigs weighs about 6000#, runs 37's, and has a 4bd1t diesel to push it.

mine as follows: 30 spline chromalloys, spicer joints, 19 spline chromalloy outers, milemarker hubs, eaton elocker, truss, stock flattop GM knuckles.

My feeling is if a near stock 44 wont do it for you, you need a 60 anyway.

EDIT:

I was looking into ferd 9" fronts too. larger than a 44, but smaller than a 60. a shortened 9" housing is the same or less than a 44. they run abotu the same to build too, if you so it right.

also, with the 9" you can run monstar spline stuff, have a dropout third, all kinds of cool. I was going to go that route except they dont have a selectable locker available other than ARB.

 

[Stomis]

man I dont know what your doing with that trooper but wow.

IM building a HP 44 as we speak for my cherokee, and I know it will do anything I need it to, and my rigs weighs about 6000#, runs 37's, and has a 4bd1t diesel to push it.

mine as follows: 30 spline chromalloys, spicer joints, 19 spline chromalloy outers, milemarker hubs, eaton elocker, truss, stock flattop GM knuckles.

My feeling is if a near stock 44 wont do it for you, you need a 60 anyway.

EDIT:

I was looking into ferd 9" fronts too. larger than a 44, but smaller than a 60. a shortened 9" housing is the same or less than a 44. they run abotu the same to build too, if you so it right.

also, with the 9" you can run monstar spline stuff, have a dropout third, all kinds of cool. I was going to go that route except they dont have a selectable locker available other than ARB.

The whole locker problem with ford 9in's is why I went with an 8.8.

Honestly it was just me thinking out loud. In the trooper I'll probably put RCV's and 30 spline hubs soon after its done being built. Later on Ill do reid knuckles and king pins. If I ever break the gears I'll do the 8.9s and an OX up front.


Where the hells the build thread for this cherokee? Sounds interesting.

 

[moneypit_K5]

The whole locker problem with ford 9in's is why I went with an 8.8.

Honestly it was just me thinking out loud. In the trooper I'll probably put RCV's and 30 spline hubs soon after its done being built. Later on Ill do reid knuckles and king pins. If I ever break the gears I'll do the 8.9s and an OX up front.


Where the hells the build thread for this cherokee? Sounds interesting.

I hear RCV's are the beez kneez.

I suck at build threads. But I did sorta start one for the latest diesel incarnation. HERE

basically, I took a cherokee body,
plated the frame front to back with 3/16",
radius armed the front,
triangulated Y linked the rear, all 2.63" ballistic fab johnnys.

rear is a 31 spline 8.8 disk, full floater kit
up til the diesel swap the front was a 30 spline HP30, on 35's.

engine is a Isuzu 4bdit (Isuzu version of the cummins 4bt, but better built)
trans is a GM700R4 mated to a jeep NP231.

cuppla pics:

 

[Stomis]

Thats pretty sweet. I didnt want to go with the 4BD or 4BT because of the weight. Plus I didnt want to get into that realm where I needed a NV4500 for a strong 5 speed.

With the mercedes motor I get to keep my toy 5 speed and tcase and not worry about breaking the 1/2 ton axles.

What does the 4bd weigh in at?

 

[moneypit_K5]

it weighs around 770, which is about 200# more than my origional 4.0 inline 6.
Im using the same front suspension setup under the new engine, I cant see a sag, not does it seem to drive front heavy.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

There is a guy on pirate selling a high pinion d44 with bj d60 Cs , knuckles, outers.

I want it something fierce.

 

[Stomis]

it weighs around 770, which is about 200# more than my origional 4.0 inline 6.
Im using the same front suspension setup under the new engine, I cant see a sag, not does it seem to drive front heavy.

Thats not bad then. Does the Isuzu motor have the height issues the 4bt does?

 

[moneypit_K5]

negative. thats why I chose it. it is wider, but about 8" shorter.