Super 10 bolt?

[SchnorrCS]

How about this....
Get the Dana 44 HD. Stronger than the 10b, not as strong as the 60. But the housing has 1/2" wall tubes, you can use any part for a dana 44, and lets be honest...these are not the hardest to find, spare shafts are everywhere, and usually reall cheap. I have yet to break any shafts for mine, but I do carry a spare set, with stub shafts, and I got both sides for 60 bux. I also run 35s, and it seems to handle it perfectly. All I want is a 14 bolt for the rear, but I don't know if I can run 6 lugs in em. Anybody know?

 

[u2slow]

Get the Dana 44 HD. Stronger than the 10b, not as strong as the 60. But the housing has 1/2" wall tubes

Its a shame the only beef that carried over from the original D44HD was the tube thickness

EDIT: The D44 has 33-spline lockers available too.

 

[koldsimer]

The old "polishing a turd" saying comes to mind. When I first built my truck I was running 33's with a 12/44 combo. Within a month, I pushed the pinion bearing through the housing of the 12 bolt and I busted a shaft and a joint in my 44. I put a ton of money in my 60 (about 3500) but it has been worth every penny. I'm not the worlds greatest driver and I like to beat on the old blazer so it's been nice knowing that my 60 is near bulletproof. It all depends on how you drive, terrain and what other equipment you have on your truck.

 

[koldsimer]

I'm not impressed.

The 'learning-how-to-drive' thing comes to mind...

Interesting that you've never seen me drive, ehh? Oh, and I wasn't trying to impress you either.

 

[badmix]

I do wonder about driving styles though. I jus cant see the 10bolt being as weak as ppl claim. Im sure big tires and lots of grip would play its part, but still. I dunno. Im happy with my built up 10bolt, but I dont plan to run anything over 33" anyways. Plus Im not a fan of breaking things, I jus dont see the pleasure or appeal of it. Now ya gotta do a trail fix or tow it home and spend more money? Not me, Id rather be a puss and not break and still enjoy my off roading experience. To each their own.

 

[koldsimer]

I do wonder about driving styles though. I jus cant see the 10bolt being as weak as ppl claim. Im sure big tires and lots of grip would play its part, but still. I dunno. Im happy with my built up 10bolt, but I dont plan to run anything over 33" anyways. Plus Im not a fan of breaking things, I jus dont see the pleasure or appeal of it. Now ya gotta do a trail fix or tow it home and spend more money? Not me, Id rather be a puss and not break and still enjoy my off roading experience. To each their own.

Your driving style sounds like it's on more of the conservative side. That plays a huge part in breaking stuff. If I think it's possible, I usually keep trying to get up something until I flop or break something so that has played a big part in my history of breaking things. I bet you'll be fine with a built 10 bolt.

 

[koldsimer]

No need after this:

Yeah that quote is completely indicative of driving skill, huh? Who peed in your cheerios this morning? Just out of curiosity, how often do you break stuff? How often do you actually wheel?

 

[uberbeans]

I think we should all check each others driving style on the next Blazerbash!

Has anyone used the Dynatrac? Very expensive! Is it worth it? Any alternatives to it?

 

[koldsimer]

I think we should all check each others driving style on the next Blazerbash!

There we go! That would cut out the webwheelers who claim to now need a 60 because of their finely honed driving skills.

 

[koldsimer]

There ya go.

I just find it funnay that you implied I don't know how to drive because I took a less than egotistical approach by saying that i'm not the greatest driver in the world. I found it hilarious that you claim to have learned so much about wheeling and now think you need a 60. What about throttle control and picking a good line? Not helping you? Just get a 60 and quit crying about those of us that did already.

 

[Hossbaby50]

How about this....
Get the Dana 44 HD. Stronger than the 10b, not as strong as the 60. But the housing has 1/2" wall tubes, you can use any part for a dana 44, and lets be honest...these are not the hardest to find, spare shafts are everywhere, and usually reall cheap. I have yet to break any shafts for mine, but I do carry a spare set, with stub shafts, and I got both sides for 60 bux. I also run 35s, and it seems to handle it perfectly. All I want is a 14 bolt for the rear, but I don't know if I can run 6 lugs in em. Anybody know?

The whole arguement that a D44 is stronger then a 10 bolt (even a "HD" 44) is BS. If you look at what parts break on a D44 and a 10 bolt they are the same. I don't care that a D44 has a higher spline count or a .125" bigger R&P. That doesn't matter. The parts that break the most are axleshafts & ujoints. Both share the same ujoints and the very similar axleshafts.

If you really want to cut hairs stock 10 bolt have a better chance of being stronger then D44's because they are newer and probably have better metalurgy & have likely used up less of there fatigue life. Is that a facture sure, but not much if any.

strength wise:

D44 = 10 bolt

10 bolt parts are typically cheaper and easier to find then D44 parts anyway because they don't say Dana on them and the Jeep guys don't flock to them.

Harley

 

[uberbeans]

What if I replaced my built up 12 and 10 bolts and put them in a very light buggy? Something around 1500 lbs? Would they be strong enough?

 

[koldsimer]

What if I replaced my built up 12 and 10 bolts and put them in a very light buggy? Something around 1500 lbs? Would they be strong enough?

That would help a lot. People throw 10 bolts under sammys and other small/light trucks and never have problems even running 35"+ tires. Our trucks aren't exactly lightweights ya know.

 

[uberbeans]

The whole arguement that a D44 is stronger then a 10 bolt (even a "HD" 44) is BS. If you look at what parts break on a D44 and a 10 bolt they are the same. I don't care that a D44 has a higher spline count or a .125" bigger R&P. That doesn't matter. The parts that break the most are axleshafts & ujoints. Both share the same ujoints and the very similar axleshafts.

If you really want to cut hairs stock 10 bolt have a better chance of being stronger then D44's because they are newer and probably have better metalurgy & have likely used up less of there fatigue life. Is that a facture sure, but not much if any.

strength wise:

D44 = 10 bolt

10 bolt parts are typically cheaper and easier to find then D44 parts anyway because they don't say Dana on them and the Jeep guys don't flock to them.

Harley

When I talked to Randy's when I bought my lockrite they said that there was tons more stuff available for the 44 (front) because they had been around for a LOT longer and that there was like 5 to ! the amount of 44 to 10 bolts. I agree on the strength thing, though.

 

[Hossbaby50]

What if I replaced my built up 12 and 10 bolts and put them in a very light buggy? Something around 1500 lbs? Would they be strong enough?

Yes, look at Marv Springers "Marvzda". I have also seen a Jeep/buggy that was about 3500lbs with chromo's, 39.5's, 350FI SBC, SM420, D300 work VERY well offroad. The driver was VERY good though so that is a huge part of it.

Harley

 

[uberbeans]

That would help a lot. People throw 10 bolts under sammys and other small/light trucks and never have problems even running 35"+ tires. Our trucks aren't exactly lightweights ya know.

They have to be narrowed, right?

 

[koldsimer]

They have to be narrowed, right?

Nope. In fact, the extra width is viewed as a huge plus by lots of people. Hell, I made my 60/14 combo 2" wider for the extra sidehilling and overall stability. HUGE difference. Some narrow them just to keep the ability to run super tight trails.

 

[koldsimer]

This has turned into an amusing thread for the afternoon .

But back to the topic: 1/2-ton axles don't just combust spontaneously; it has very much to do with how you drive.

I'm just glad we can both smile about it... half-tonner.

 

[Hossbaby50]

When I talked to Randy's when I bought my lockrite they said that there was tons more stuff available for the 44 (front) because they had been around for a LOT longer and that there was like 5 to ! the amount of 44 to 10 bolts. I agree on the strength thing, though.

There are alot more D44's as a whole around then 10 bolts but not if you are talking Chevy version D44's and 10 bolts. There is a better following of the D44 in the aftermarket but the 10 bolt has plenty available for it as well.

Harley

 

[Hossbaby50]

The cheaper and easier to find comment about the 10 bolt vs D44 is aimed at stock replacement parts at junkyards and on the net. You can find 28 spline 10 bolt axleshafts easier and cheaper then you can find D44 stuff.

Harley