bigolexj said:
My question is, why would someone waste their money on either a D44 or an 8 1/4 when they can go 9" or D60 to begin with and end up saving a lot of cash in the long run. Sure the initial expense is high, but if you're serious enough to break an 8.25 or D30, you should (in keeping with that serious stuff) seriously consider something stronger than the D44 or 8.25.
Just me...
Are you really asking a question....or making a statement?
Mostly I think you guys are just the types to go against the grain, but that doesn't make any kind of an argument, just shows the type of person you are. No big deal.
For many people, it is worth a certain amount of money to have a proven axle that is a bolt in with the correct wheel bolt pattern, no welding or other modifications necessary. Regardless of you're preference, you can't really argue against that providing some additional value for most people. It is a no brainer.
A 9" is nearly impossible to find in the right width and with the 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, so the fact that they are a dime a dozen in wrecking yards is meaningless. And, like I said before, many of us just won't accept the low driveline clearance of the 9", which has the lowest pinion height of any rear end made. If you have to get new axles to get 31 splines or 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, then you're not cheaper than a D44 and you still have a lower pinion. Now, get a high clearance 9" housing from Currie, and a high pinion center section and 35 spline axles and you have one very hot rear end......but that is far from junkyard cheap.
A real 35 spline D60 is in another price category if you need the strength. Unless you have 37" tires, the low clearance of the big center section isn't close to being worth the strength.........and, a junkyard D60 still has 30 spline axles just like a D44, really not worth the weight and loss of clearance. So, to get a real D60 with a shaved high clearance center section and 35 spline axles is, again, far from junkyard prices for nearly everyone.
Hmmm, that $300-400 totally bolt in nearly unbreakable (for most who would use it) axle looks better all the time.