While at the Junk Yard today getting parts for my D30, I noticed an 87 Grand Wagoneer. It has a D44 front end with discs and locking hubs, has the diff on the driver side, and appears to measure 60". This would be just about perfect for a YJ front axle swap. All of the others (G Wags) were about 66". I didnt notice is the bolt pattern 5 on 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 ? It doesnt really matter as I can easily get 5 on 5 1/2 axles for my Ford 8.8 in the rear. Is it a reverse cut? Is it 30 spline? I dont have access to any of my reference books. I havent heard that much about this potential swap, are there any drawbacks that Im not seeing? At face value it looks like a simple and worthwhile swap. Ive been recently talking to Dynatrac about building me a custom D44, because I wasnt sure if I had the time to perform a drawn out swap, but this looks short and sweet. The owner of the yard and I started talking Jeeps and he quoted me a price of $125 if I would yank it. Ill do my own ARB and R&P set up, along with SOA spring perch mods(except for final welding). What kind of steering mods may be involved ? I have been avoiding any trick steering mods because I was sure I would be swapping my beefed up D30.
Started doing some pricing.
$125 - Axle
$160 - 4.56 R&P
$50 - Install kit
$565 - ARB
Total $900 for the major components how can you go wrong with that?
I could sell my D30 for more than that tommorrow if I needed.
Sorry for the long post but Im kinda excited about this swap and need as much info as possible, Ill probably buy the axle Monday Morning unless the responses all speak of gloom and doom.
Thanks,
Jeff
89 Wrangler
Started doing some pricing.
$125 - Axle
$160 - 4.56 R&P
$50 - Install kit
$565 - ARB
Total $900 for the major components how can you go wrong with that?
I could sell my D30 for more than that tommorrow if I needed.
Sorry for the long post but Im kinda excited about this swap and need as much info as possible, Ill probably buy the axle Monday Morning unless the responses all speak of gloom and doom.
Thanks,
Jeff
89 Wrangler