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what's your opinion?

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blzrdrvr

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I got a set of axles. 1 ton 14b FF. a D44. Assuming the gear ratio is the same (no, i haven't hooked up the front, yet, as some of you know i have some issues in the drivetrain.), and i have a D44, not the venerated D60 or the D70, i propose to replace the axles with chromolly axles and a locker. Mind you, the PO of the D44 replaced everything, other than deep internals, so it's very nice. would it be cheaper to do this rather than trying to get an old d60 AND fixing it up (with a locker)?
 
34? never even heard of a 34...

but either way, a chromo'd 44 is still weaker than a 60, but you should be fine with 35 and under... unless your flogging the he!! out of it...

btw, a 70 is only a back axle...
 
They make LTBs in 34s. I would just keep the d44 stock and tack weld the u joint caps to the shafts. That makes a huge strength difference in the u joint department. You can go nuts building a dana 44 with RCV shafts, high pinion dana 50 gears, kingpins, etc etc. Ive done it before, not that far but Ive done chromos, lockers, gears, etc. I never broke it but I also didnt wheel it too much and I dont really flog my **** and that was with 36x12.5 TSLs. I should have just put a dana 60 in it.

Like I said in my first reply. Building a dana 44 for conventional wheeling in a fullsize with a large tire is a fools game. Its a different story under a minitruck like a toyota or s10 or nissan but a fullsize is kinda dumb.
 
No, this is my DD, so I won't be getting crazy with it. The price on the axles, for this area, was pretty good, and the front end had all new gear...it wasn't until after I got the set that i began research and found the D44 to be inferior. Maybe i will just bring an extra axle or two when i go out.
 
D60 is expensive to build. The problem with building the D44 is that you will spend all of the money and still have an axle that is weaker than the D60.

I have run a D44 for years w/ 35" tires and a true trac limited slip. Blown hub and busted u-joint have been the worst for me, but I never let it hop and try to drive it smart in the rocks.
 
This has been talked about before, I have been flogging my stock front 10 bolt with 35s for 10 years. Bent one flying the truck. Drove it home. Has a mild bend now from my Michigan trip.

Have only broke a hub lock.

Like they said, 35s and under you sjould be fine.
 
I stand corrected... I meant it more as a you're not gonna find them very often and there is no huge benefit over a 60 kinda thing..
 
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