FINALLY... Building me a 44

Rocketman

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
Picking up one next weekend. Stock from an 87 XJ. Want to do it right from the start. What's the first best step? Bead blasting or acid wash/bath?

I figure after that is new, shortened shock mounts. Perhaps some trusses welded on and maybe topping off with sprayed on POR-15. Powder coat maybe??

Disk brake conversion. 4.88's and a Detroit Locker (ARB or OX too spensive for the amount I wheel and a DD) Alloy USA chromoly axles.

Am I missing anything?
 
Got the axle for $250. Hard to beat starting price. I don't think Currie has a lay-away plan. :bawl:

Besides, there's no fun in a phone call!!
 
Rocketman said:
Picking up one next weekend. Stock from an 87 XJ. Want to do it right from the start. What's the first best step? Bead blasting or acid wash/bath?

I figure after that is new, shortened shock mounts. Perhaps some trusses welded on and maybe topping off with sprayed on POR-15. Powder coat maybe??

Disk brake conversion. 4.88's and a Detroit Locker (ARB or OX too spensive for the amount I wheel and a DD) Alloy USA chromoly axles.

Am I missing anything?

What size tires are you building for? Stock D44 rear shafts are fine... take the money you'd spend on the chromoly ones and put it into a different locker choice.
 
I'm going to put on 35's when the front 33's are done. Tread on the MT's down to about 40% of new. With the amount of wheeling I do I was considering even an Aussie or a TrackLoc instead of an air activated.

I know, I'll hear the arguements, but a $400 difference is half a winch.
 
Do the Detroit, It is by far the best locker out there..... I have had one in my yota for 100,000 miles and is still working perfect. Forget all that air and or cable type lockers . Just more crap to go wrong.
 
i was very happy with the detroit i had in my old 8.8. no problems, no bad habits on the road
 
Rev Den said:
Actually.....if it does DD duties it makes more sense to install a selectable locker.

Pony up the bucks, you will not be sorry.

Rev

x2

And equally so, if it is a trailer queen, just go with a spool.
 
Made the ride up North today and picked up the 44. It's in pretty good shape considering it's 20 years old. Pulled the cover when I got home and gears look good, no leaks, even the gear oil didn't make me wanna puke. Looks like it was well maintained.

Brake parts are shot but no problem as I am waiting to be the first to use one of Ruffstuff's bolt on disk caliper brackets for the 44. (If he ever gets one out the door) I'll do a write up with pics if that ever happens.

I was hoping to find a limited slip but alas... an open diff. For grins I was checking the numbers on the ring gear to make sure of the size. Anyone know the secret spy kid codes they use? Too many numbers to be Googling after 7 hours behind the wheel.
 
should e two numbers on the ring gear, one is the ring teeht, one is the pinion.
Example:
39 11
39/11=3.54
 
Rocketman said:
I'm going to put on 35's when the front 33's are done. Tread on the MT's down to about 40%

I would post these up on the For Sale board before they get any more wore down.
someone is always looking for decent 33's (selling your spare? shoot me a pm)
use that money towards your project.

...BOB
 
BOB said:
Rocketman said:
I'm going to put on 35's when the front 33's are done. Tread on the MT's down to about 40% ]

I would post these up on the For Sale board before they get any more wore down.
someone is always looking for decent 33's (selling your spare? shoot me a pm)
use that money towards your project.

...BOB

x2
 
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