Older D44 6 bolt flange style hubs, good or bad?

[73CamperSpecial]

Hey guys my 73 has the D44 with the big 6 bolt flange style hubs and i was wondering if anyone knew anything about them being stronger or better than the regular size hubs that i see all the time on most other D44s? Thanks

 

[Muddytazz]

The only issues I ever had with the ones I had before was the 6 bolts that mount the hub tend to back out even with that stupid bend-over tab. What I did was replaced the bolts with a stud/nut combo and never had a problem since.

 

[1BEATK5]

some came with the stud/nut combo originally. what brand hubs do you have?

edit- i think the drive flanges had stud/nuts, not locking hubs.
the warn hubs for those have a thinner flange (compared to a spicer) and probably easier to use studs,lock washers/nuts

 

[Muddytazz]

The original drive flanges that were on my old D44 were bolt and lock washer.

Warns never came with the stud/nut combo, Spicers might of. But his best bet no matter what lockouts he uses is to use the stud/nut route.

 

[82355]

I have them on my Suburban, and haven't had any problems, but I have seen 80'427 shatter his on a hill climb at Tuttle Creek. I have always been told they are inferior. They are called "external" generally, and the other ones are called "internal".

Martin

 

[Muddytazz]

The only real difference between the two style of hubs is that one is mounted INSIDE the hub and the other is mounted OUTSIDE the hub....hence internal and external lockout names. Yes the externals are more prone to getting hit due to the fact that they stick out far, but that is about it.

 

[73CamperSpecial]

I actually just bought warn premium hubs and the kit came with bolts not studs. So what size studs and nut combo did you guys use?