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Jeep Dana 44 Drivers drop... will it work?

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crazydavez28

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I have an 88 K5 with a NV3500 5speed NP241 Pass. Drop and need to get rid of my 3.08 axles.

I found a Jeep J20 Rolling Frame with Dana 44 Front Drivers drop and rear Dana 60 for $200 :woot:

I need to know if the front axle can be made to work. I have a spare NP241 Drivers Drop just laying around so I just need to know if the gears are the correct rotation for this app.

Anything Else Like track width etc. I am missing?
 
80+ were driver drop. Trying to find more info

Too much scattered info. Some say rear axle is offset passenger side.

Looks like common ratio is 3.73.

May be narrow or wide track so it might be a little narrow.



Basically it boils down to just get a 44/14bolt out of a chevy for around the same price or 100 bucks more that has 4.10s, will bolt right in, and you dont need to worry about driver drop
 
Maybe it's just perspective but the pictures posted for it looks like it is centered or not offset too much.

Guy says it's an 88 jeep J20 Frame.

I guess I could always sell the axles for more than $200 if they don't work. I'm not scared of a little custom fab after all I have a L31 Vortec and NV3500 in a K5

Is the 67wms for the Jeep or my K5 44 (Dana 44 from '76 model)?
 
Finally some info


1980-1985-ish Full-Size Jeeps:

Driver Side Drop
Dana 44 (6-lug)** or Dana 44 HD (8-lug)
**1982-1984 (6-lug only) could have a vacuum disconnect front axle - I have seen some 1985's with this as well.



AMC 20 (6-lug) or Dana 60 (8-lug)
AMC 20 (6-lug) offset just a tad. This is much stronger than the CJ versions. This axle has 1-piece axle shafts stock and the tubes are thicker for use in the heavier Full-Size Jeeps.
AMC 20 Axles come in narrow, wide and wider. (Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer would be narrow, Cherokee Chief* would be wider and J-truck would be widest)
 
1974-1991 ALL Full-Size Jeeps were Spring Under Axle in the front

1974-1991 ALL Full-Size Jeeps were Spring Over Axle in the Rear
 
So, from what I can gather. They are the widest Jeep axles available, slight offset on rear, yes they are spring under front, 8-lug, come with wheels and tires... for $200 I think it's a safe bet I can either use them or get my money back.

Thanks, for the information you guys are great!
 
I would just buy a 14bff and a Dana 44/10 bolt out of a 3/4 ton.

Martin
 
I would compare the position of the diff to a Chevy also. Since there is no spring perch cast on it you'll have to weld one on the tube also leaving enough room for the inner u-bolt. Depending on the diffs position you might have to shift the axle to one side (rather than centered) to make it work.
 
They are narrower than your current axles.

Lots of Jeep guys swap in Chevy axles to get the extra width and the springover.
 
Hopefully I will get a call back on it after work and I can go look at the axles. If things are close I owe everyone a write up on the switch-over.

$200 is cheap enough to give it a try...I know the easiest way to get beter axles is to just go buy the correct chevy axles but craigslist around my parts aint like walmart.
 
crazydavez28 said:
Hopefully I will get a call back on it after work and I can go look at the axles. If things are close I owe everyone a write up on the switch-over.

$200 is cheap enough to give it a try...I know the easiest way to get beter axles is to just go buy the correct chevy axles but craigslist around my parts aint like walmart.
Click to expand...

You can choose to listen to me or not but I have had both axles sitting side by side. It would be so much annoying work to so this right. The casting has to be cut quite a bit in order to put the spring perch on.

The widest 44 Jeep ever made is still nearly 3" narrower than you current chevy axles. Having swapped Dodge 60s under Chevy trucks ( which are I think 2" narrower) I can tell you that you might run into rubbing problems when flexing and turning. You will rub the leaf springs with the Jeep axles so you will have to turn out the steering stops.

Its also more than likely its a disconnect axle. Being the year.

Rear axle would be fine just have to move perches and shock mounts.

Just the fact that you will loose so much width in the front makes it not worth it to me
 
blazinzuk said:
You can choose to listen to me or not but I have had both axles sitting side by side. It would be so much annoying work to so this right. The casting has to be cut quite a bit in order to put the spring perch on.

The widest 44 Jeep ever made is still nearly 3" narrower than you current chevy axles. Having swapped Dodge 60s under Chevy trucks ( which are I think 2" narrower) I can tell you that you might run into rubbing problems when flexing and turning. You will rub the leaf springs with the Jeep axles so you will have to turn out the steering stops.

Its also more than likely its a disconnect axle. Being the year.

Rear axle would be fine just have to move perches and shock mounts.

Just the fact that you will loose so much width in the front makes it not worth it to me
Click to expand...

You beat me to the post.

If they are narrower then what I have then I don't think it's worth it. Guess I'll keep looking around.

Great Info all around though Thanks!
 
crazydavez28 said:
but craigslist around my parts aint like walmart.
Click to expand...

I am doubting that. Where at in Kansas are you from? I spent a lot of time driving all over that state. There is a lot of junk sitting around.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/3235755079.html

Too much money.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3231842847.html

Stupid 6 lug semi floater that people seem to want for some reason.

http://stjoseph.craigslist.org/pts/3202261204.html

Just the rear axle.

http://topeka.craigslist.org/pts/3200409747.html

Could possibly find some moron to give you money for those hideous wheels.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3141470704.html

This is actually a pretty good deal.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/3184279022.html

Get yourself some Swampers while you're at it.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/3143573387.html

Throw away what you have, and swap an SM465 into this.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3169418601.html

3/4 ton axle with 1 ton conversion??? What the eff is he talking about?

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3158255229.html

Seems a touch too expensive.

http://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/3232951493.html

No pics, seems high.

http://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/3122401952.html

Looks promising.

http://salina.craigslist.org/pts/3210250498.html

I am not sure if the $1,100 is for both axles???

http://wichita.craigslist.org/pts/3237610487.html

Too bad it wasn't a year newer.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/3171467903.html

Not a bad buy with the crossover steering.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/3122811914.html

Turn the three hideous wheels in for aluminum and buy a matching forth tire.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/pts/3109017844.html

Crappy semi float, but cheap.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/pts/3152612098.html

Martin
 
You should be able to buy a set of 3/4 ton axles for 500 with a truck on the top.
 
80' 427 said:
You should be able to buy a set of 3/4 ton axles for 500 with a truck on the top.
Click to expand...
^^^ That's what I would prefer. I need a lot of other parts to rebuild my dash and interior.

Kansas City isn't real close I guess I just haven't been trolling as well as i used to. I just saw the whole jeep frame and thought it might be worth it if they would have fit.

My K5 had pretty much been moth balled for two years while i finished school and I have three other vehicles. I am worried about smoking a clutch (and wearing out 2nd gear) with 3.08 gears on 33" tires and don't want to invest in my 1/2 ton open diff axles.
 
I wouldn't worry about an SM465 being under geared. Just start in Low all the time.

Martin
 
82355 said:
I wouldn't worry about an SM465 being under geared. Just start in Low all the time.

Martin
Click to expand...


I'm running an NV3500 from a 98 Truck. I know i'm running on borrowed time with my motor's torque. '99 Vortec 5.7 EFI with headers and true duals. Second gears is a little more noisy than it was when i put er in there. Been looking for a 4500 but never could find one for reasonable dough. Have to have the internal slave with passenger side drop too.

I REALLY want to switch to a 4L80E with a shift kit now.
 
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