Possible front axle swap
- Thread starter RHanna
- Start date
Ahh, I missed or misread the comment about where it was narrowed. I thought you were looking to narrow it to match your rear.
I run the 450p in my rig. Works great. The 400p will work fine for the lockers. And $75 is a great deal.
I went and checked out the guys jeep. I took some pics below.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to remove all the welded on brackets they used to install the coilovers and the 4 long arms. I believe a stock f150 dana 44 will fit 15" wheels around the calipers but I'm not sure these are stock calipers they look huge to me. He has 17" beadlock rims on his jeep.
So the story is this jeep was build for superlift to promote their black diamond x2 lift so I searched online and I think I found an article about the lift.
Here are some pics from the motortrend article talking about the jeep.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to remove all the welded on brackets they used to install the coilovers and the 4 long arms. I believe a stock f150 dana 44 will fit 15" wheels around the calipers but I'm not sure these are stock calipers they look huge to me. He has 17" beadlock rims on his jeep.
So the story is this jeep was build for superlift to promote their black diamond x2 lift so I searched online and I think I found an article about the lift.
Here are some pics from the motortrend article talking about the jeep.
Yep that isn't narrowed to Waggy width like my HP44. They left more axle tube on the drivers side from what I can see.
Yes I agree that you'd for sure have to cut off most of the brackets on the top of the axle. The lower mounts MIGHT be OK but I know the upper stuff would need to come off.
Interesting that the front suspension arms look a LOT like Nth Degree arms.
![IMG00620[1].jpg](https://mail.wranglertjforum.com/attachments/img00620-1-jpg.275680/ "IMG00620[1].jpg")
Here is about the best picture I could find of the D52 caliper on the axle. And yes the ones in your pictures look bigger. I don't know what the 3/4 or 1 ton version looks like.
Yes I agree that you'd for sure have to cut off most of the brackets on the top of the axle. The lower mounts MIGHT be OK but I know the upper stuff would need to come off.
Interesting that the front suspension arms look a LOT like Nth Degree arms.
Here is about the best picture I could find of the D52 caliper on the axle. And yes the ones in your pictures look bigger. I don't know what the 3/4 or 1 ton version looks like.
I don't know. But I'll go look at mine. That number doesn't come up with anything when I tried a search.
Same here, but it does look like the old Ford 1/2-ton factory calipers (which suck donkey d*$%, along with the Ford knuckles).
To my eyes, I can't tell if it's the aftermarket bracketry or if the brackets are built on/around the cast-wedges??
I would have thought the ford calipers would have been better than the TJ stock calipers, maybe not.
The wedges are not there and yes the brackets are very weird. I was hoping to be able to reuse the control arm brackets but I think the width is different (if that matters) plus I'm not sure there is anything for sway bar connections
deadbeat son
TJ Addict
deadbeat son
TJ Addict
I’m not sure if I should be flattered or creeped out that you know what I look like.
Creeped, absolutely creeped out. Don't forget my motto, I'm not happy until you're not happy.
Being better than stock TJ calipers is like being the World's Tallest Midget - not a whole lot of bragging rights
I was speaking in terms of common Dana 44 or 1/2-ton brakes. Generally speaking, finding and replacing Ford 5-bolt (not to be confused with 5-lug) knuckles with GM 6-bolt flat top knuckles is the most common situation I see. You can run it with GM small-bearing spindles and then run 76-81 Ford rotors for a 5x5.5" lug pattern, but have the advantages of a flattop knuckle (which can be easily fitted with a crossover arm) and can run GM brakes.
Guy asked about a brake solution for his big tires on a pre 90 YJ along with saying that he was going to swap in a new axle next year.Being better than stock TJ calipers is like being the World's Tallest Midget - not a whole lot of bragging rights
I was speaking in terms of common Dana 44 or 1/2-ton brakes. Generally speaking, finding and replacing Ford 5-bolt (not to be confused with 5-lug) knuckles with GM 6-bolt flat top knuckles is the most common situation I see. You can run it with GM small-bearing spindles and then run 76-81 Ford rotors for a 5x5.5" lug pattern, but have the advantages of a flattop knuckle (which can be easily fitted with a crossover arm) and can run GM brakes.
What axle I ask.
44.
I respond with that could not be any more vague.
I get back "Dana 44" from him.
No, I understood it was a Dana 44, there's about 40 variations, which one?
I do that some times but it's PITA and IMO for stupid reasons. If you have an issue with someone have a little PM discussion with them first. But instead it's grade school playground rules.
Being better than stock TJ calipers is like being the World's Tallest Midget - not a whole lot of bragging rights
I was speaking in terms of common Dana 44 or 1/2-ton brakes. Generally speaking, finding and replacing Ford 5-bolt (not to be confused with 5-lug) knuckles with GM 6-bolt flat top knuckles is the most common situation I see. You can run it with GM small-bearing spindles and then run 76-81 Ford rotors for a 5x5.5" lug pattern, but have the advantages of a flattop knuckle (which can be easily fitted with a crossover arm) and can run GM brakes.
Yep which is what I've done. Back in 2005 when I was building my axle small bearing spindles were hard to to find. Now they are being offered again but they aren't cheap either.
Ignorant question time, how straight does the front driveshaft need to be. Obviously you wouldn’t install a passenger side diff but does it matter if it’s a few inches off from side to side?
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