Crane D44 Housing worth it?

[jester1084]

Did some more research and a bit of searching. It looks like I'll be scrapping the idea of the crane housing... mostly just because it's way to expensive for me right now. Instead I might pick up a set of axles from a 78 F-250. Dana 44 front, 60 rear. Instead of paying 2000 for one front housing I can pick up the 44 and 60 for roughly 500 and from what I've read they should work. All I should have to do is narrow them build my bracketry and upgrade the internals. So it'll still be some money, but still quite a bit cheaper I think.

Mike

 

[BRIANHO13]

this approach has worked for many, my axles are bronco axles.

 

[CRASH]

i seem to recall from all my junkyard ventures Dodge knuckles having a nice flat-top area... why not just mill it flat and drill/tap for normal D44 arms?

Brett, you're thinking of the early Dodge stuff, not the unit bearing knuckle on the late post-1994 Dodges. That is the 33 spline unit these guys are talking about.

 

[David Taylor]

Brett, you're thinking of the early Dodge stuff, not the unit bearing knuckle on the late post-1994 Dodges. That is the 33 spline unit these guys are talking about.

The tera knuckle comes ready to bolt on a 44 high steer arm.

 

[CRASH]

The tera knuckle comes ready to bolt on a 44 high steer arm.

Yes, that's what Richard is running. The stock 1994+ dodge knuckles won't accept any kind of hs arm, though.

Have you decided what route you are going as far as a front axle is concerned?

 

[David Taylor]

yes, but as of now my check book is not liking me much.

spider housing, Hi9, tera knuckles, ctm joints and stubs. alloy usa inners.

 

[CRASH]

Yummy.

Should have gone king pin, though.

 

[David Taylor]

Yummy.

Should have gone king pin, though.

Why would I want to do that ? My 30 ball joints had 150k on them when it came out. They were fine. My 44 joints are still nice and snug. I can only think the 60 ones will be way more than I need.

 

[CRASH]

The extra weight, down low, would lower your COG.

 

[David Taylor]

The extra weight, down low, would lower your COG.

Do you think a hp44 center or a currie hp will hold up to 4D's ?

 

[CRASH]

Do you think a hp44 center or a currie hp will hold up to 4D's ?

No, go Rockwell or go home.

Seriously, are you worried about the 1/4" tubes in the Spider 9?

 

[XJ_ranger]

Amen brother!

Opie you out there? You concur after wheeling the South West?

:sigh:


yes...


anyone wanna sell me a dana 30?

 

[XJ_ranger]

Did some more research and a bit of searching. It looks like I'll be scrapping the idea of the crane housing... mostly just because it's way to expensive for me right now. Instead I might pick up a set of axles from a 78 F-250. Dana 44 front, 60 rear. Instead of paying 2000 for one front housing I can pick up the 44 and 60 for roughly 500 and from what I've read they should work. All I should have to do is narrow them build my bracketry and upgrade the internals. So it'll still be some money, but still quite a bit cheaper I think.

Mike

have fun narrowing that rear...

Id buy an XJ 44, and run that in the rear...

Cracker got hung on his 60 quite a bit... and his pinion is about 6" higher than yours will be...

 

[David Taylor]

No, go Rockwell or go home.

Seriously, are you worried about the 1/4" tubes in the Spider 9?

All serious here. A CHP would save about 1K. I havn't bought a thrid yet.
The Hi9 might be like putting a 14bolt up front. Way more than you need.

The 1/4 housing doesn't bother me. I'm sure it will hold. I truss will be on as well.

 

[CRASH]

4d's are not easy on stuff. On the other hand, if you already have the CHP, like Paul did, why not run it?

Or, just don't back up with weight on the front tires.......

 

[Paul S]

4d's are not easy on stuff. On the other hand, if you already have the CHP, like Paul did, why not run it?

Or, just don't back up with weight on the front tires.......

I'm in the same boat as Dave (we're building 2 indentical 609's).
I can't use my CHP as it's 31 spline, + I need it to sell my 449 complete.
I'm tempted to buy another CHP to save $1000+ on what I think is already overkill, if not lacking bling.

Our goal is try & build 'um as light as our 44's.

Paul

 

[CRASH]

Think of the CHP this way:

It is OEM standard equipment on a half ton pick-up truck, the same as a Dana 44.

I can't see you guys building this much bling and then stuffing it full of half-ton junk.

 

[Paul S]

Think of the CHP this way:

It is OEM standard equipment on a half ton pick-up truck, the same as a Dana 44.

I can't see you guys building this much bling and then stuffing it full of half-ton junk.

I was hoping the 300M shafts would out bling the blingless 3rd, but you're probably right. The way the $$$ are going $1000 is barely anything as a %:doh:

P

 

[CRASH]

I was hoping the 300M shafts would out bling the blingless 3rd, but you're probably right. The way the $$$ are going $1000 is barely anything as a %:doh:

P

Now you're talking. Sell an extra light fixture or two and get it!

 

[jester1084]

have fun narrowing that rear...

Id buy an XJ 44, and run that in the rear...

Cracker got hung on his 60 quite a bit... and his pinion is about 6" higher than yours will be...

I know, but the guy is selling them as a set. I could always trade the 60 or sell it if I decide differently. One thing is, I know whenever I move up to 35's it'll take a beating if I decide to keep it.