[Guest]

Well, I've finally forced myself into building the 44 front axle for my TJ. I was up at last chance canyon (CA) going thrugh the squeeze for the second time this weekend ( first time in the dark and no problems, go figure) and was about 6" off on my line and got wedged. The only way out was to crank hard right and make sparks. Got out and made for some great video but ended up putting a good bend in the end of my housing/yoke. Any suggestions as to the best donor for a D44 to go under my TJ? (Driver side diff) I figure I'm gonna be spending a fair amount on a new housing for my 30 so why not just put that cash toward a 44. Any help will be greatly appreciated. i forgot to mention that I will be changing the bolt pattern so that I can get the premium lockers instead of the little plastic ones that go on the 5x4.5 pattern.
Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

Axlesupagain

 

[338]

The mid to late 80 Grand Wagoneers seem to be a logical candidate. I just found one on saturday for my YJ. They are about 60" from hub to hub, have the diff on the driver side, larger diameter brakes than the D30, the steering components are sustantialy beefier and are connected above rather than below the knuckle. Im not sure what gear ratio, but an ARB and 4.56 gears are going into it anyway. The bolt pattern (6 bolt) is the only drawback, I can think of. I plan on swapping in 1/2 Ton Ford hubs and rotors 5 on 5 1/2 and then getting new axles for my rear 8.8 Ford axle with the same pattern. I just went down and paid for mine this afternoon $125 for axle and everything connected to it. I have to remove it and the yards owner said to take whatever I wanted, associated with axle front, drive shaft, and steering linkage. It was raining today so I didnt remove it. Now I wish I hadnt been such a wuss and just went and removed. Its coming home with me tomorrow rain or shine.
Jeff
89 Wrangler

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the tip. I think I'll go prowl in the salvage yard a bit tomorrow and see what I can find. The bolt pattern isn't a big deal to me. I know it will cost me to change over but I need to change to a larger pattern anyhow. I want to run the warn premium lock-outs. they won't fit the 5x4.5 pattern.

Let me know how your swap goes.
Axlesupagain

 

[Guest]

I met a guy once who used a D44 from the front of an older bronco.
Aaron