[049]

Dana 44 ?\'s

I posted this here and on the jeep section as I figure you guys have the most experience with these axles. I am rebuilding a Dana 44 front axle from a 81 grand Cherokee. I really only want to do this once. From experience, who makes the best ring & pinion? Who makes the best axles? What kind of power have you put to these parts? What size tire have you made it work against? Besides trussing the axle tubes, is there anything else that I should do to the axle while it is being rebuilt? Thanks guys.
Lator...........

 

[muddybronco]

Re: Dana 44 ?\'s

i've seen them used in the mud with 40" boggers and not break but i've also seen a 37" ssr break them on the rocks with a locker, so it depends how you're going to use it. i flog the hell out of mine with 35's and it never complains... mud is pretty forgiving with an open differential. if i kept it open i would not be afraid to run 39.5" TSL's on it but that'd be pushing my luck. i hear Yukon gears suck, you might try Precision Gear, but i have no first-hand knowledge of either. Performance Unlimited has some axles that they guarantee not to break but they cost twice as much as a used dana 60 so it's not worth it IMO.

 

[Guest]

Re: Dana 44 ?\'s

I have a D44 front and break it every time I look at it funny. I rebuilt it last summer too but just stock shafts though. Personally I wouldn't spend any money on a 44 but rather save for a 60. By the time you get shofts, u-joints and hub strong enough you got alot of $$ in it and it is still a 44 and a stock 60 is still prob stonger