I don`t know about stock strenghth, which is stronger but I know you could probably build the 44 alot stronger. You would have more selection for new and used gears, lockers, skid plates etc.etc... Alos maintenance items like bearings and such would probably be cheaper and easier to find

 

Shane is right about the availablity of parts and also the cheaper cost of parts, but I'd have to say that the H233B is a much stronger axle compared to the 44. It's dimensions are very similar to a Ford 8.8 or 9" rear axle, and quite stout in it's own self. I get compliments all the time from mechanics etc, who are surprised with it's beef-en-ticity....(pretty funky term eh?)
If you do want to go to another axle for the rear to take advantage of more available parts and cheaper costs, then I'd suggest a Ford 9" because it already has the right track width or even a Dana 60 if your looking to go bullet-proof??? But you's also become a snow-plow..?

Chris J.
/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gifIt's not the Biggest, but at least I use it!/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

 

Parts availability and price is EXACTLY why I'm thinking of swaping the rear when I swap the front. I can go up to 5.89 in a D44 and at 159.00 I can afford to break 3 R&P for the cost on one Nissan R&P. I'm sure that axle shafts and rebuild kits are cheaper for a D44.

Saw a review on some Chromoly axle shafts for early bronco D44's (front) that give the same strength as a stock D60. I would go with a D60 in the rear but that would probably have to be custom made since they are so wide. I'd rather stick with something in a stock size. Unless someone knows of a stock D60 that would fit the same track as the early bronco.

RM

 

If your looking for shafts, go with either the new Warn hardened, Moser's or the Brute Force shafts.
The stock Dana shafts (dutchman) aren't to bad, but an upgrade is always welcome

Chris J.
/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gifIt's not the Biggest, but at least I use it!/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

 

I have not even started looking into shaft options yet, but I am sure there are a bunch out there. I'm getting REALLY itchy about this axle swap idea! I just got to find a suitable set of axles. Thought I had a line on a set of D44s, but had a break down in communication. Turns out that the guy had a set of axles with the drivers side diff but weren't D44s. Here is the info:

"late model full size Jeep truck drivers side diff axles. 3.31 gears. Complete but the rear is an AMC 20 with 1 piece axles and a front vacuum disconnect front axle"

Don't know about the axles, anyone know much about these?

 

what kind of motor or gears are you using to ever thinkl avout destroying a for 9 inch???? I had a 9 inch in my 76 ford pickup behind a 428 cobra jet and never had a problem with 345 factory rated hp. Unless you have a V8 with a blower, don`t worry about wrecking a 9 inch.

Warn has high strength Inner Front Axles Shafts for 71-77 Bronco (read dana 44) driver and passenger. Right side part # 38810, length 27.94", 30 spline, u-joint 297X. Left side part #38809, length 18.31", same spline and u-joint as right side. Warn will also custom cut lengths for you.

Outer Axle Shafts for 71-79 Ford Bronce and F-150. Part # 38816, length 9.72, 19 spline, 297X u-joint.

Warn also has Full Float Rear Axle Kits for Broncos from 66-77 and 66-81 pick-ups. Also Dana 60, Toyota FJ40 and FJ60 and a whole pile of jeeps. If you want induvidual part #'s just let me know as there is a whole bunch for the broncos.

They alo have disc brake kits for 66-73 Bronco with small bearings and 66-75 big bearing and 76-77 as well. Part # 37948 for 66-73, 37766 for 66-75 and 37765 for 76-77.

If you take all of these parts and some auto wrecker shopping, you could make some pretty sweet axles for you nissan

 

I destroyed a ford nine inch on my old ford mistake it had 373 posi with a factory 302.

Ride it like you stole it!/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif

 

I have a Nissan C200 rear in my 83 720 and a Toyota 8" in front.
They both are geared at 4.38 to 1----
Humm wish I had 5.29 gears because I have 35x12.5 s mounted.
But anyway I consider this axle set-up to be prone to break.

My first opinion on my C200 was that I would have to replace it immediately--
But it is heavier and stronger than I originally thought. Nevertheless I assume the C200
Is doomed to break eventually--- and cheap lockers are not around for them either.
Maybe I will weld the spider gears???? Then after welding diff gears--- a short while the carrier will rupture---
And I will have to find something else. If I could find spare C200 carriers--- I could go for a longtime
just welding gears and bursting carriers over and over--- why not???----- the only restriction
is the number of eazy to get cheap Nissan C200 rears. With my luck, the C200 might last and last???
Who knows-- but I assume that it will eventually fail.

I know some Jeep owners who have run Dana 25s and 27s every day in mud and snow for 30 years with the same
frontends and never broke anything at all--- and they run V8 engines--- have lockers in front--- and plow snow-- and
have broke trannys too.------
So different wheeling conditions break axles verses tranny breakage--- so who knows what is needed for axles????

Cost of gears and the access to replacements seems to be the main consideration--
I am thinking about a Toyota rear or a Nissan H233B--- but it all depends on what I find
at the local Pick and Pull junk yard--- because I can get one for $60. If I found a D44 or a D60 and
could drag it home to work on I'd go put one of those under my truck but I most likely will not get that lucky.

When I go to the pick and pull, I buy cheap driveline parts so that I have a collection
So I can build any rearend into my truck--- who knows what I will find there one day. -------

The main trouble with Nissan stuff is that noone knows much about it, so we tend
To use Toyota or Dana hardware--- or go to Ford or Chevy parts----
So If I found a stronger version Nissan rear--- and it had the right gears-- I'd weld pads on it
and run it --- why not?? an H233 might be the ticket???? What is the worst that could happen??

If I found a Pathfinder with rear coils and a H233---and if I could get the gears-- I'd weld on leaf spring pads
and mount it under my truck. If it broke, I'd replace it with a custom D60-- or maybe a 14 bolt Chevy rear I have also heard talk of D60s breaking
too----- HUMMM maybe all this breakage talk is overblown ????

Rearends are eazy to swap-- conpared to transmissions, engines, frontends---- as long as you have ratios that match your front-end. No caster to set.

 

Re: Here\'s your rear...

Subject Dana 44 axles. $400 pair. TX
Posted by FSJeeper
Posted on Thu Mar 2 16:33:39 2000
From IP 205.188.200.42

Matched pair of Dana 44 axles. 4.10 gears. Disc front, drum rear. 6 lug pattern.
Complete. Front is in excellent condition, rear needs a rebuild but I include an excellent condition 4.10 R&P. $400

Came out of a 1977 Jeep J-10 truck with centered rear diff for standard. They areabout 66" wide.

Will separate for $250 front, $150 rear

Chris J.
/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gifIt's not the Biggest, but at least I use it!/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

 

Re: Here\'s your rear...

Yeah I've been on with this guy. Unfortunatly the front had the diff on the Passenger side. The axles are 66" wide. Just got out the tape measure, and with tires, outer sidewall to outer sidewall I am at 68" (that's with 15x8 rims with 4 7/8 backspace and 31x10.50 BFG AT). Put that 66 inch axle in and the Path would be running a rear track of about 74". As soon s I put the 15x10 rims on, that makes it 78".

He is selling another set of axles with the drivers side dif.

"Also have a set of late model full size
Jeep truck drivers side diff axles. 3.31 gears. Complete but the rear is an
AMC 20 with 1 piece axles and a front vacuum disconnect front axle"

I think that i've got a line on an early bronco set of axles (front d44 and rear ford 9"). Cross those fingers.

Also, is 5.89 and 5.83 close enough R&P ratio to put together? D44 will get the 5.89 and the Ford 9" gets the 5.83. The only "perfect" match I could find was 4.56.

Thanks all
Robert

 

Re: Here\'s your rear...

http://www.drivetrain.com/dana44.html
http://www.drivetrain.com/ford9.html

A combination of 4:88 for the 44 and 4:86 for the 9" would be just perfect! I've been told by many that it's actually better to have a point or two difference between ratio's. Now has to how true this is I don't know?

Chris J.
/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gifIt's not the Biggest, but at least I use it!/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

 

Re: Here\'s your rear...

One of my tile setters has a totaled Wagoneer that may have a D44 on the front, he says if I pull it and haul it home I can have anything off it. Anybody know what Wagoneers had for rears? I'm not sure of the year yet and not real sure I want this Jeep thing on my truck, but it is free...More info later, I hope.

Thanatoz
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gifIts a JEEP thing, I wouldn't understand it...and I don't give a $&*%!