Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

[Irun]

Old school Dana 44 is not the same as a TJ Dana 44. I'm sure you know that, but it bears repeating...again and again and again.

Exactly! Which is why I'm curious about the bearings, and for that matter, R&P. I could just look it up. but I'm being lazy!

 

[Mike_H]

Exactly! Which is why I'm curious about the bearings, and for that matter, R&P. I could just look it up. but I'm being lazy!

I actually think the R&P / center section are the only things that are the same. Its the rest of the axle that sucks. Tubes, balljoints, unit bearings, knuckles, etc.

 

[B00mb00m]

I might hit the westside and go up to Reiter. Part of it depends on who is available to go with as I don't want on shakedown run alone.

 

[Blackjack]

It’s the Dana 44 + the rear 60 that gives you that extra 1/4

But the rear is semi float so really he is just a heavy half ton.

 

[Wildman]

I actually think the R&P / center section are the only things that are the same. Its the rest of the axle that sucks. Tubes, balljoints, unit bearings, knuckles, etc.

I think you are correct on this. Except that the Rubicon centers used a different carrier. I'm not sure about the bearings but I think they are the same.

It's as has been said already the rest of the axle that SUCKED. The axle tubes and knuckles and ball joints. Why or how someone came up with this idea?? Well we know, Bean counters didn't want to pay for the development of new ball joints and unit bearings.

YEs I have been around tons of guys who ran the old school Dana 44's with 37-42" tires and they beat the shit out of those axles. Which is why when people talk about building axles I bring this up. You don't need Dana60's for 37-40" tires IMO. And with Jantz making the Jana54 if you used a HP44 center & Dana 60 "C" you can run them no problem. And once the ball joint deletes are made you wouldn't need the Dana 60 "C" unless you want to run the 35 spline shafts. Then you'll need the Dana 60 "C".

But the rear is semi float so really he is just a heavy half ton.

Damn

 

[jesseshoots]

But the rear is semi float so really he is just a heavy half ton.

 

[Wildman]

View attachment 306404

You know when it's getting closer I'll be talking to all of you and we'll figure out where to do the shakedown run.

 

[Mike_H]

I think you are correct on this. Except that the Rubicon centers used a different carrier. I'm not sure about the bearings but I think they are the same.

It's as has been said already the rest of the axle that SUCKED. The axle tubes and knuckles and ball joints. Why or how someone came up with this idea?? Well we know, Bean counters didn't want to pay for the development of new ball joints and unit bearings.

YEs I have been around tons of guys who ran the old school Dana 44's with 37-42" tires and they beat the shit out of those axles. Which is why when people talk about building axles I bring this up. You don't need Dana60's for 37-40" tires IMO. And with Jantz making the Jana54 if you used a HP44 center & Dana 60 "C" you can run them no problem. And once the ball joint deletes are made you wouldn't need the Dana 60 "C" unless you want to run the 35 spline shafts. Then you'll need the Dana 60 "C".



Damn

Yeah, I keep kicking around the idea of finding a Dana 44 center (Like a JK HP center section), tubing it myself and then putting Dana 60 inner C's and knuckles on. Not because I need it, but because I think it would be a fun project. I'm weird like that. I would enjoy the engineering of it and the build process. Having a full machine shop (and professional guys to run the equipment) at my disposal means I can make almost anything...(insert evil laugh here).

 

[Wildman]

Yeah, I keep kicking around the idea of finding a Dana 44 center (Like a JK HP center section), tubing it myself and then putting Dana 60 inner C's and knuckles on. Not because I need it, but because I think it would be a fun project. I'm weird like that. I would enjoy the engineering of it and the build process. Having a full machine shop (and professional guys to run the equipment) at my disposal means I can make almost anything...(insert evil laugh here).

Yep it's why I was looking at buying a Dynatrac HP44 and then add my own Dana 60 "C". The other option is to add the aftermarket JK "C" that are supposed to be stronger. Either of these would allow you to run bigger u-joints.
And yes I like building stuff too. Just wish I had the means available.

 

[B00mb00m]

Yeah, I keep kicking around the idea of finding a Dana 44 center (Like a JK HP center section), tubing it myself and then putting Dana 60 inner C's and knuckles on. Not because I need it, but because I think it would be a fun project. I'm weird like that. I would enjoy the engineering of it and the build process. Having a full machine shop (and professional guys to run the equipment) at my disposal means I can make almost anything...(insert evil laugh here).

I have the Currie C's at my house, but i dont have any of those machines so haven't made the jump yet. I'm the opposite, i do need the 60 outers, probably will order up a Currie 44 or I see ECGS now has a 44 front with 3" tubes.

 

[Wildman]

I have the Currie C's at my house, but i dont have any of those machines so haven't made the jump yet. I'm the opposite, i do need the 60 outers, probably will order up a Currie 44 or I see ECGS now has a 44 front with 3" tubes.

The CHEAP option is to find a F250 HP44. They have 3" axle tubes unless you are looking for a high clearance diff.

 

[Wildman]

I found this video after seeing his video's on fixing his steering on his HP44 and then he's limiting his ram for the amount of travel he has. I'm sure there are some who already knew this but if you didn't this is a good video on making some limiters and assembling your ram.

 

[Blackjack]

Damn

Sorry the door was open and I just had to walk through.

The CHEAP option is to find a F250 HP44. They have 3" axle tubes unless you are looking for a high clearance diff.

The cheaper option is the 78-79 F150 44 as long as you are willing to retube.

 

[Wildman]

Sorry the door was open and I just had to walk through.

It's OK I'm a big boy and I can take it.. I don't know what the ignore button is.

The cheaper option is the 78-79 F150 44 as long as you are willing to retube.

Yes but I was pointing out the option that doesn't take a retube. And since I don't know are the 78-79 F150 housings 3" or do you have to have them machined out?
The 1977 housing I have is from a F150 but it's 2.75" tube.

 

[Blackjack]

It's OK I'm a big boy and I can take it.. I don't know what the ignore button is.



Yes but I was pointing out the option that doesn't take a retube. And since I don't know are the 78-79 F150 housings 3" or do you have to have them machined out?
The 1977 housing I have is from a F150 but it's 2.75" tube.

The F250 and the Supercab F150 are becoming a lot harder to find. The 78-79 F150 are not desirable except because of the cast C brackets but they are 3inch tube.

 

[reddvltj]

The F250 and the Supercab F150 are becoming a lot harder to find. The 78-79 F150 are not desirable except because of the cast C brackets but they are 3inch tube.

Since they would need to be shortened would it not be a good time to put upgraded C's on it at that point.
(Assuming you don't want to run full width that is.)

 

[Blackjack]

Since they would need to be shortened would it not be a good time to put upgraded C's on it at that point.
(Assuming you don't want to run full width that is.)

Yes and the 78-79 F150 needs new tubes because of the cast C bushing brackets. While they are 3 inch tube , they were not heavy wall and were prone to breaking on the short side.

 

[Wildman]

The F250 and the Supercab F150 are becoming a lot harder to find. The 78-79 F150 are not desirable except because of the cast C brackets but they are 3inch tube.

Yes I know they are getting harder to find. Just like the 788-79 Dana 60 axle is.

I didn't know that the 78-79 F150 had 3" axle tube. I did know that the radius arm mounts are cast into the axle tubes and you have to retube them to use.

Since they would need to be shortened would it not be a good time to put upgraded C's on it at that point.
(Assuming you don't want to run full width that is.)

Yes but the radius mounts are cast in too far so even if you wanted a Wagoneer width WMS you'd still have to retube it.

Yes and the 78-79 F150 needs new tubes because of the cast C bushing brackets. While they are 3 inch tube , they were not heavy wall and were prone to breaking on the short side.

I didn't know this either. Thanks

 

[reddvltj]

Yes and the 78-79 F150 needs new tubes because of the cast C bushing brackets. While they are 3 inch tube , they were not heavy wall and were prone to breaking on the short side.

I guess that will learn me to comprehend what I'm reading a little better....

The F250 and the Supercab F150 are becoming a lot harder to find. The 78-79 F150 are not desirable except because of the cast C brackets but they are 3inch tube.

 

[Blackjack]

I guess that will learn me to comprehend what I'm reading a little better....

It is ok I missed that Starky was three linking his front and not rear in his thread. The 78-79 F150s only redeeming qualities are that the center casting is good and the knuckles and hubs are valuable.