Dana 44's

[Tin Medic]

Are there any Dana 44 's that will bolt up to an 85 CJ? Looking to replace the Dana 30 and the AMC20 .

 

[Incommando]

No there are no bolt-in axle sets but there are some that are easy swaps. '79 and older FSJ but they have 6 lugs. Scout II has the same lug pattern but require some work to keep the geometry right when lifted. If you don't mind going wide pretty much any leaf-sprung axles aith a pass. drop front can be put in. Chevy stuff is cheap and plentiful. I would avoid the 10bolt rear but the 10bolt front is equal to a Dana 44 front. You would have to get a 78 or older GM to get a Dana 44 front.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

I may not understand your question, but I just recently realized my 86' CJ7 came with a 44 rear from the factory. I don't know why this same rear wouldn't bolt up to your 85'. Also, in other post people mention finding a 44 in other vehicles such as a scrambler. I think AMC also put the 44 in earlier CJ7 models but stopped in the late 70's and then started back in late 86 models when they ran out of 20's? Hope that helps some. Good luck. As far as the 300,I have read its a compact stout unit but I have no idea personally as I'm not a crawler, mudslinger, or hardcover wheeler just a proud CJ7 owner who drives carefully offroad.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tin Medic]

I could do FSJ 44's didnt realize they were the same width. I dont mind 6 lug then I can match the rims on my 89 FSJ.

 

[Incommando]

To keep the width as close as possible you want to get the narrow track axles from a wagoneer or rare narrow track Cherokee. Wide track Cherokees ( all were 2dr with factory fender flares) and the pick-up axles are about 5" wider.

 

[PaRenegade]

You are correct Michaelinthetwiga, a Dana 44 axle from a factory 86 CJ7 rear would bolt right up to the 82-85 models. Although finding them would be just shy of a stroke of luck since they were, as you said, only put in the last few Jeeps made.

Tin Medic - Given the choice, I'd replace the 30 front before I'd replace the 20 rear, provided it had 1pc. axles in it and welded tubes.

 

[Old Dog]

As already said the only rear 44 that is the same width is from a late 86 cj, There is no front 44 the same width.
The IH Scout is the closest but still wider (app. 4"), same with the waggies.( a shade over 4" wider)
If your only running 33's and not beating it to death the 30 and 20 will work well with a few up-grades.

 

[AussieCJ7]

As already said the only rear 44 that is the same width is from a late 86 cj, There is no front 44 the same width.
The IH Scout is the closest but still wider (app. 4"), same with the waggies.( a shade over 4" wider)
If your only running 33's and not beating it to death the 30 and 20 will work well with a few up-grades.

\

I swapped in a Dana 44 front from a wagoneer narrow track and the rear from a scout

for the front I outboarded my springs and while a lot of work it has made it drive 100% better because I was able to fix all the geometry issues while I was at it I used Dana 30 from knuckle out and scout axle shafts to keep 5 on 5.5

Given my time again I would do front and rear from a narrow track wagoneer even though it is still a AMC20 rear it is factory 1 piece and heavy tubes with a truss it is pretty close to a Dana 44 rear and run 6 stud wheels much less messing around

 

[Incommando]

\

I swapped in a Dana 44 front from a wagoneer narrow track and the rear from a scout

for the front I outboarded my springs and while a lot of work it has made it drive 100% better because I was able to fix all the geometry issues while I was at it I used Dana 30 from knuckle out and scout axle shafts to keep 5 on 5.5

Given my time again I would do front and rear from a narrow track wagoneer even though it is still a AMC20 rear it is factory 1 piece and heavy tubes with a truss it is pretty close to a Dana 44 rear and run 6 stud wheels much less messing around

Only the '80-'85 FSJ's used the M23 (correct term for the better version of the M20 used in FSJ's...shoulda used these in the CJ's and saved a ton of heartbreak for owners...) and they were matched to a driver's drop Dana 44 front. '79-older N/T Wagoneers/Cherokees used a Dana 44 rear. They went back to Dana 44 rear's in '86 through the end in '91. At least in the states.

Another nice rear swap is a Rodeo Dana 44 : 6x5.5 lug pattern and factory disc brakes while closely matching the N/T FSJ front Dana 44 width.

 

[AussieCJ7]

Only the '80-'85 FSJ's used the M23 (correct term for the better version of the M20 used in FSJ's...shoulda used these in the CJ's and saved a ton of heartbreak for owners...) and they were matched to a driver's drop Dana 44 front. '79-older N/T Wagoneers/Cherokees used a Dana 44 rear. They went back to Dana 44 rear's in '86 through the end in '91. At least in the states.

Another nice rear swap is a Rodeo Dana 44 : 6x5.5 lug pattern and factory disc brakes while closely matching the N/T FSJ front Dana 44 width.

Our years and model mapping with exact parts is a bit mixed up here but yes point taken


Interesting you mention the Rodeo Dana 44 , I had an idea the other night but haven't got to a wreckers to check it out yet maybe you will know

The disc brake set up does it have a caliper bracket that bolts onto the axle tube via the bearing retainer plate bolts ? like the drum backing plate does

If so do they have integrated park brake or are they a drum park brake set up

My idea is to use the brackets from a Rodeo and use suzuki or Nissan disc's that are 5 on 5.5 and use either Nissan or Suzuki calipers with the intergrated park brake but have a massive amount of research to check if they will all bolt up yet

 

[Tin Medic]

As already said the only rear 44 that is the same width is from a late 86 cj, There is no front 44 the same width.
The IH Scout is the closest but still wider (app. 4"), same with the waggies.( a shade over 4" wider)
If your only running 33's and not beating it to death the 30 and 20 will work well with a few up-grades.

With the FSJ 44's are they 4" wide per side or 4" wide overall? Also, I dont run my rig that hard so what upgrades are you refering to for the Dana 30 and AMC20 ?

 

[Old Dog]

With the FSJ 44's are they 4" wide per side or 4" wide overall? Also, I dont run my rig that hard so what upgrades are you refering to for the Dana 30 and AMC20 ?

With the bigger jeep there is a N/T and a W/T just as cj's have. The N/T
(older waggies) are app. 4" wider over all. The FSJ's such as the J trucks are 10" wider than your W/T's that you have now.
For up-grades's to the 20 I would say 1 piece axles, weld the tubes to the center section and maybe a truss.
The 30 only needs aftermarket chromoly axles with the bigger 760 axle u-joints.
Your probally still looking at close to a grand here though. A pair of waggie axles might be a few hundred plus the labor and welding to install them.
If you don't abuse your jeep you might not need the up-graded axles in the 30, I'd run it and see if you brake the u-joints before I spent any money on it.
There's just nothing cheap about a jeep.

 

[justinfonder]

i found a '75 bronco rolling chassis with Dana 44 front w/ locking hubs and a 9" rear for $800. would this be a good swap for a 81 CJ5 ? i know the front on the bronco is coils, would i be better off putting leaf spring perches on the axle or converting my cj to accept the coils?