Dana 44 Finally done!!!!

[Rob D]

Finally after 15 months of slowly buying parts and putting stuff together, I've finally finish my 35-spline d44 project. And it drives really nicely. I already like the lack of "clunking" I got every time I shifted into gear with the Detroit that was in the d35. I still need to wire the ARB compressor up. But, other than that it's rollin' just fine.
Starting to put things together:

Still working on it:

35 splines sure do look purdee:

About ready to roll:

Look ma no u-bolts, I used the TNT u-bolt eliminators:

The small compressor fits nicely under the rear seat. And the newly departed rear wheel sensor wire grommets work great as a air line grommet as well:

I also installed a new set of Clayton's 6.5" rear leafs to replace the Full-Traction set I had. I was just too heavy for the FT's. Now it's time to go to work on the front end, I think.....:dunno:

 

[Starboard M]

What, if any, write ups did you use for the Exploder disks? have any pointers?

Axle looks nice, good job

 

[Rob D]

I read a couple of writeups on here before I bought anything and learned about modifying the mounting holes in the Explorer backing plates. Another thing I found was the part #'s for the Teraflex spacer rings so you can use the stock XJ retaining plate with the disc brakes. The rest I sorta worked out on my own. I'm not sure I'd use the Stock Explorer flex lines if I had to do it again tho. They are kind of short which causes them to be curled fairly tightly. Since I didn't use them I'm not sure how the Teraflex flex line would be tho. I'm looking forward to giving it a test run on a trail, whenever I get the chance to do that.......

 

[Letterman]

So a detroit dana 35 to a 35 spline ARB dana 44 . . . very nice upgrade!

Dana 44 30 and 35 spline axles side by side:

Who's axle shafts you get?

 

[Coastie]

This is porn for me right now my 44 is sitting empty with no brakes on my bench.

Would really like to see larger photos, much much larger.

 

[Rob D]

So a detroit dana 35 to a 35 spline ARB dana 44 . . . very nice upgrade!

Dana 44 30 and 35 spline axles side by side:

Who's axle shafts you get?

Ooooo that looks nice...The d35 was a 30 spline upgrade, but, as they say bigger is better . I got the Alloy's since they are/where the easiest to find in 35 spline, and got the ARB thru Oklahoma 4-wheel drive for $699 ($729 shipped). The 35 spline d44 is the only one for that cheap tho.

 

[Letterman]

Is that dana 35 -30 spline- axle still C-cliped?

I run the Alloy USA too, before they sold out, and Ten was not around when I got mine.

Would really like to see larger photos.

Yeah bigger photos would be cool!

Again nice job!

 

[Rob D]

Sorry, just got home from work. These 10 hour night shifts can be a real bummer. So anyway lets see if this works any better for the pics. Click on the pic and it should link you to the larger pics. I ain't smart enough to figure out how to get bigger ones here. I hope it works....



And Dave, yeah, it's still a c-clipped dana 35. It was the original ABS axle and I wanted to keep the abs when I first upgraded. But since the abs pump went out for the forth time I yanked all that abs crap out and put disc's in the back. So now I have a complete 30 spline, Detroit locked, 4.88 geared, abs dana 35 to get rid of. Good luck with that huh? Anyone have a dana 30 ARB for the lower gear sets (4.88's)they want to trade for it???? (I figured it was worth a try).

 

[Coastie]

Is that dana 35 -30 spline- axle still C-cliped?

I run the Alloy USA too, before they sold out, and Ten was not around when I got mine.



Yeah bigger photos would be cool!

Again nice job!

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff21/XJRob/Dana 44/

I found them about 5 min after requesting larger photos.

 

[Letterman]

I ain't smart enough to figure out how to get bigger ones here.

No big deal, we all started somewhere.
Photobucket is really easy, see the "Share this Image" box on the lower left side?
If you want to use the image icon

, then copy and past the "direct link" code, I marked with the red arow.
Or just copy and past directly in to your post the IMG code I marked with the red box here:

Anyway, thanks again for posting up photos and info.

 

[playwithit]

Very nice work. What shock length did you go with after the lower mount relocation? Did you relocate the upper mounts?

 

[Rob D]

The shocks are the Edelbrock Extreme IAS for 6" of lift. They're the same ones I had on it before. They measure 25.21" ext and 15.82" col. Based on measurements they look like they'll work still, but it's a close call. They were a little short with the stock mounts tho. I may still disassemble the spring pack to do a flex test to see what happens. Since I don't have any blocks that could be tricky.

Thanks for the info Dave. Sooner or later (most likely later) I'll get this posting pics stuff figured out. 30 years as an electronic tech and computers still kick my a**. :gee:

 

[Coastie]

I think I have come to this thread a few times today. I love me some disc converted D44, got a line on some brakes for my 44.