Axle Swap Dana 44s

[kurtpoe47]

I know this topic has been touched on before but after reading other threads, I feel I am getting more confused. I'm going to have s shop do the conversion for me. My basic question is this: what vehicle can I get both front and rear Dana 44s from? Or I can get fronts from one and the rear from another. I have an 84 CJ7 with a Dana 30 and 20. I am lifting and probably going to 37" tires. Swapping out inline 6 for 350 Chevy motor. I would like a little wider stance. Let me know suggestions.

 

[Torxhead]

I would suggest going to at least a D60 or a 9 inch for the rear, a front Dana 44 would work in my opinion or another 9 inch. An outfit in my area can build you just what you want: Currie Enterprises - Custom Rearends, Jeep/Off-road Parts, Crate Rearends, 4x4 Rearends

 

[Posi]

74-79 wagons, 74-79 Cherokee narrow track.

 

[kurtpoe47]

Thanks. I'll look at wagoneers and Cherokees from that timeframe.

 

[Turbogus]

When a local shop was struggling with a one piece kit for the Corporate 20 that used to be on 'BB', Randy's Ring and Pinion https://www.ringpinion.com/ showed immesurable patience and help buy telephone during the abortive attempts to get that axle right.
Turned out it was crooked and we had to sway for a Dana 44 w/licker anyway. This was impossible to detimine while that 20 was mounted, only when we got it on the ground did we see it was bent.

 

[kurtpoe47]

I found an auto salvage lot that has two complete front and rear sets from a 90 Ford 3/4 ton and a 92-96 Ford 3/4 ton. I think there 8.8. Will those work? Asking $800 for either set. I assume I will have to outboard springs. I do like a little wider stance than original.

 

[PistolDave]

Those Ford axles will be driver side drop, so unless you want to deal with all the headaches that would entail, I would stick to passenger drop options. For a spring-under passenger drop front axle, there are really only two Dana 44 options as far as I know. Earlier FSJ stuff and IH scout. Everything else will be spring-over or driver drop, unless I am forgetting something. One possible interesting alternative for rear axle is the Isuzu Rodeo which has the same six lug pattern as FSJ and was available with disc brakes in some years.

 

[Kane]

Going with V8 power AND 37's is opening you up to a whole new world of required beef for the axles. Dana 44 's are not a very good choice for that combo and you will be no better off than know. Big, motor, big tires, big axles.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Look at Ford 9".
Currie Enterprises

Been run'n a C/9" rear for over 25 yrs. Never any issue.
LG

 

[tarry99]

Look at Ford 9".
Currie Enterprises
LG

I'm also a big fan of the Ford 9" components............which can easily be made to match or exceed D-60 strength at a fraction of the weight while still running conventional 5 lug wheels and brakes...........Industry support for the 9" mirrors that of the SBC.

Speaking of Brakes.......when you get anything bigger than 35" tires you also need to upgrade your brake system..........

As far as Axle Width you should really do your homework there as full width axles are really a PITA for most street and trail Jeeps......... including there installation!

Your 84 has wide tracks under it now at 56" front and 54.5" rear WMS Anything over 60"-62" WMS even with a positive offset wheels will be really wide........

 

[kurtpoe47]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Ford 9s. Isn't the pumpkin on the drivers side? I found a Dana 60 and 70 from a Chevy. Is that a good option? Not to concerned about width. I know the 60 will probably be around 69-70". I am planning on upgrading braking system as well. Also going to outboard suspension. Thought?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Did you even look at the link I post'd?
Currie can put it where-ever you want.
The std shoe brakes are 11''X2.5" on the rear Currie

LG

 

[kurtpoe47]

I'm looking it up as I write this reply. If they're a custom shop, not really what I was looking for. Trying to use auto salvage stuff (as long as it's reliable). Working on a budget. Trying to stay under $3k for everything for the axles.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Call'em-They can work with you.
LG

 

[smbundy13]

what are you going to do with your stock w/t axles? interested in selling them to a fellow texan?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

ive had good luck in the past with a dana 60 front axel from a ford f250 (still has locking hubs) and a GM corporate 14 bolt rear axel its a decent set up but u have to search most dana 60's from ford are driver side drop. you can find dana 50's which are the same as the 60 for the most part but pass side drop they are in older f250s & 350's 99-03 all dana 50's are high pinon axels with metric bolt pattern but are usually cheap and plentiful in the junk yards.

 

[jp360cj]

ive had good luck in the past with a dana 60 front axel from a ford f250 (still has locking hubs) and a GM corporate 14 bolt rear axel its a decent set up but u have to search most dana 60's from ford are driver side drop. you can find dana 50's which are the same as the 60 for the most part but pass side drop they are in older f250s & 350's 99-03 all dana 50's are high pinon axels with metric bolt pattern but are usually cheap and plentiful in the junk yards.

Thread is almost 2 years old, however....

ALL Ford front axles are driver side drops, including the D50s. If you have a passenger drop out of a Ford, then it was either swapped into the Ford (either with a psd tcase or was not connected), or it was re-tubed.

 

[slomo]

Why stop there? Drop in some 5 ton Rockwells and never look back. 37 inch tires would be laughed at by those 5 tons.

slomo

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Thread is almost 2 years old, however....

ALL Ford front axles are driver side drops, including the D50s. If you have a passenger drop out of a Ford, then it was either swapped into the Ford (either with a psd tcase or was not connected), or it was re-tubed.

could have been a swap ill look into it as for the old thread part i looked at the date on the poster b4 me not the first my bad

 

[mopar440cu]

Why stop there? Drop in some 5 ton Rockwells and never look back. 37 inch tires would be laughed at by those 5 tons.

slomo

LOL 5 tons are too heavy. Better off 2 1/2 ton!