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Should I put any money in my D44?

W

WantedaDodge

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Posts
282
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Location
Eugene, OR
So, I'm not exactly a hardcore wheeler. I use 4x4 on average twice a month unless it's hunting season, then it's more! I'm not going to run any XTREME trails or rocks, just the occasional mud bog and washed out fire roads/trails.
My truck has full 3/4 ton running gear and it's my baby. I plan on fixing it up.

It's not hardcore, I run a 700R4 and a 208, they have both been rebuilt and the 700R4 is as beefy as it gets.

I am putting '35s on for now, but eventually it may get a little more lift and 37.5s

I don't plan on ever going any bigger with this truck because I'm building a Dodge M880 w/ a buddy that will get a D60 front and all the good stuff. And if I ever do build a real trail rig, it probably won't be my blazer but a Dodge or a fullsize jeep.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Chevy and it's easy to live with every day, but if I ever get real into this thing we call 4 wheeling, it will be something besides my blazer getting built.

I'm thinking that a true trac front diff and 4.88s or 5.13s will eventually get dropped in, aftermarket axles as well. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting me time before so though, cause to tell the truth, I'm always on the look out for a D60 front anyway... Just to have sitting in the back yard!
 
I don't think you'll be wasting your money fixing up the Dana 44 front -- I run a 10 bolt in my daily driver ('85 Suburban) that I've re-geared and rebuilt. I've never had one problem with it, and I'm currently running 37 inch Claws. I have a true trac in the front and a detroit locker in the rear, and except for really icy pavement its a great setup. I also have a 700R4 and 4.88 gears -- its a great combination. Good luck!
 
Regear it if you need to. I wouldn't lock it. For light duty use, it is fine.
If you were to wheel the truck hard, with 37"s and a front locker, it has been my experience that you will be replacing shafts quite frequently.
 
good news

well this is cool, I just got back from the tire shop and they have a set of 37.5 Swamper LTBs for $800!

I'm glad that you guys don't think a dana 44 is a waste of time cause there are lots of good parts for them since they put them in everything.

What about a limited slip? still to harsh.
 
WantedaDodge said:
What about a limited slip? still to harsh.
Click to expand...

Not harsh enough! :D

I wouldn't spend the time/$$$ on a posi. They fall short when you need them most.
 
I don't think I was very clear above -- I'm running a Truetrac up front in a 10-bolt with 37 inch Claws, and I've never had any trouble. Except on ice! Then beware! Or better yet, stay home and get drunk.
 
I say build it to suit your needs. Not everyone NEEDS a D60. In fact, I would venture to guess most here are still running a D44 or 10B up front. I'll tell you how I built mine and I am NOT easy on my rig :D

4.88's, detroit, 4340 shafts, super joints, Mile Marker Uber hubs (they use a ductile iron drive slug), new ball joints, all new bearings (spindles and hubs), new brakes, HD tie rod and drag link, X-over steering.

Now for the part that is going to make everyone start slamming me...:D ... I run 39.5 x 16.50 x 17 Pit Bull Rockers on custom 17x10 steel wheels. They are HEAVY sumsab*ches!

I know..folks say way too much tire for a D44...well I have managed to make it survive for a loooong time with 38"+ tires and ZERO breakage, so I'm staying with it. In fact, I have wheeled with guys that have tore thier 60's on 38's to pieces where I walked through w/ a STOCK D44 on 38's. A lot of it has to do with your wheeling/driving style and knowing the limits of your rig. If I know I need to pick a slightly different line, then I do. I don't subscribe to the "if you're not breaking you're not wheeling" crap. I like to wheel, not spend all my time and $$ repairing/upgrading. Besides, I view it as a challenge every time I go out to play as hard as I can and still make it home, ready to wheel again another day. I do carry a ton of spare parts (almost enough to rebuild my axle on the trail:wink1: ), but I have yet to use them.

Either way, I have far less into my D44 than I could buy a D60 and build it for. If I ever step up beyond my 39.5's I'll definitely do a 60, but till then, I'll run my 44.

IMO, build what suits your needs. You know how you drive/wheel it.
 
shane74 said:
I say build it to suit your needs. Not everyone NEEDS a D60. In fact, I would venture to guess most here are still running a D44 or 10B up front. I'll tell you how I built mine and I am NOT easy on my rig :D

4.88's, detroit, 4340 shafts, super joints, Mile Marker Uber hubs (they use a ductile iron drive slug), new ball joints, all new bearings (spindles and hubs), new brakes, HD tie rod and drag link, X-over steering.

Now for the part that is going to make everyone start slamming me...:D ... I run 39.5 x 16.50 x 17 Pit Bull Rockers on custom 17x10 steel wheels. They are HEAVY sumsab*ches!

I know..folks say way too much tire for a D44...well I have managed to make it survive for a loooong time with 38"+ tires and ZERO breakage, so I'm staying with it. In fact, I have wheeled with guys that have tore thier 60's on 38's to pieces where I walked through w/ a STOCK D44 on 38's. A lot of it has to do with your wheeling/driving style and knowing the limits of your rig. If I know I need to pick a slightly different line, then I do. I don't subscribe to the "if you're not breaking you're not wheeling" crap. I like to wheel, not spend all my time and $$ repairing/upgrading. Besides, I view it as a challenge every time I go out to play as hard as I can and still make it home, ready to wheel again another day. I do carry a ton of spare parts (almost enough to rebuild my axle on the trail:wink1: ), but I have yet to use them.

Either way, I have far less into my D44 than I could buy a D60 and build it for. If I ever step up beyond my 39.5's I'll definitely do a 60, but till then, I'll run my 44.

IMO, build what suits your needs. You know how you drive/wheel it.
Click to expand...
which shafts do you run???what is the u joint size???
 
No, TSL Radials.... 37.50x12.50R17 on Dodge 3/4 ton rims. They have a medium back space and they seem to work very well with the 4 inch lift so far. I haven't done any stump jumping yet, but I will try to get it to rub...

hmm... Ya know what, they might be SSRs, will have to check tomorrow.
 
WantedaDodge said:
No, TSL Radials.... 37.50x12.50R17 on Dodge 3/4 ton rims. They have a medium back space and they seem to work very well with the 4 inch lift so far. I haven't done any stump jumping yet, but I will try to get it to rub...
Click to expand...

If you wheel it right (stay out of the skinny peddle) until you know how you can beat on it you should be fine. I have a 60 with 37s and I popped a driveshaft and did not hurt the axle so who knows maybe you will break a Dshaft ujoint before you hurt the axle.

I hammer on my stuff with no real regard for not breaking stuff so I am not a good example. The AZ guys run 1/2 ton stuff all the time with 37s and they do just fine. It is about learning what your rig can handle.

Ira
 
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