How strong is a HP D44... R&P wise.

[DirtyMJ]

I've found that HP D44s are cheap/avaliable, at least in comparison with a HP D60 (or even a LP one), and are importantly to me - high pinion.


I've seen a few 44/60s that have been built on this site and others, and many full-width or cut down HP D44s in front applications.


But, really, how strong is that 8.5" ring gear and corrospoding pinion?


I'm in need of a cheap* set of HP axles that can take a little abuse. Well, a bunch. 37s currently are treating me well - but you've always got to keep up with the Jones. And that got me thinking on building either a typical HP D44 for the front (it'd be waggy width... I have chromos/CTMs for one of those), which I will most likely break, or a 44/60 as I can get the 60 outers cheap enough and either get chromo shafts or cut down some stock ones (that won't be cheap - don't even say it).


But that leaves the rear. Which I'd like to also be HP. So, with a 35 spline spool and chromos in a HP D44 - think I'm going to have a R&P failure? Yes, I've given you a variable on tire size and don't mention power - they're both up in the air. But given that I'd maybe run a 40" tire at max and might swap in some V8 power (or a better 6...) do you foresee problems?



*Final cost won't be 'cheap' - no jeep part is.

 

[Prepmech]

How about a HP9" like the true hi-9 for the rear? It would probably be easier to build one up as you can use a stock 9" rear housing cut down to proper width.

 

[DirtyMJ]

The cost of one drives me away. I drool over them every time I see them. I wish I could - but I'm not yet silly enough to drop the cash.


But... My other tick with that is that I'd have to use a Hi-9 in the front too. Because regardless of what most people think/do - I believe my front gearset will see as much stress as the rear at certain times. And yes, I do consider for both the whole coast/drive side of the gear.


If somebody reputable says 'no, a HP D44 gearset won't survive in the rear' - I wouldn't build a 44/60 for my front.

 

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

doing it once and doing it right is cheaper.


if id have know this i never would have regeard my 30, i would have ordered a pregeared d44 with alloys and locker for 2100, only to sell that for a hp 60.


go 60 or kick yourself later.

stock shafts on a 60 are stronger than chromo 44 shafts.


get into it.

 

[DirtyMJ]

I dun care 'bout dem shafts though.


I really doubt I'd reuse any of my D44 front parts (chromos, CTMs, part's mike knuckle/arms and whatever else I spent money on and forgot about). It's all easily resold - especially if I'd weld some new brackets onto the axle.


I'm talking 35 spline D44 applications. Which I think I can use stock 60 (or 70) shafts for is I cheap out. But they'd probably be chromo. My point is I'm not going to break the shafts.


It's the R&P I'm worried about. And to an extent the spools I guess.


For the price of a pair of HP 60s to hack - I'll just get the hi-9s. They're better anyways.

 

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

If somebody reputable says 'no, a HP D44 gearset won't survive in the rear' - I wouldn't build a 44/60 for my front.

why worry?

how much more will it cost?

especially after the first time you put new gears in it.

v8 power+low gears+hp44 in front or rear = r&p carnage.

you know it.



tru hi-9s =$$$$$$$$$$ ask avery....with his $8k axle that doesnt even have 300m shafts! :shocked:


your just lookin for someone to try and make you feel okay about not gettin a 60 cause its expensive. and thats okay, but you know youll need the extra strength cause your already thinking v8 and 4ds.


i found 2 front 60s for $800.

not really all that bad when you think about it.

 

[Ghost]

i found 2 front 60s for $800.

not really all that bad when you think about it.

Where? I call BS on that! I have yet to see a front D60 for $800 alone much less two, and if its a ford $1000-$1200 to start but usually higher arround here. Where you live? I'll front the cash if you will get them and split the profit with you.

 

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

okay well I found one 79 hp 60 here on naxja for 800 and I could have had a matching sterling rear...but shipping aint cheap.

second one was a 2005 f350 hp 60 I found on pirate and it was in nor cal im having it delivered by a buddy.

it took patients and alot of work to find those.

Where? I call BS on that! I have yet to see a front D60 for $800 alone much less two, and if its a ford $1000-$1200 to start but usually higher arround here. Where you live? I'll front the cash if you will get them and split the profit with you.

 

[Goatman]

Reverse cut D44 gears in a front are pretty stout, don't hear of folks breaking them even in 44/60's. Really, reverse cut D60 gears in the front are usually overkill, we run those same gears in the rear with only some real throttle jockey's ever having problems with them.

Reverse cut D44 gears in the rear aren't as strong. I have a friend who ran a HP44 in the rear for many, many years, broke his share of rear shafts, and finally took out the gears in Moab, running 36's. I broke a regular cut D44 gearset in the rear with 33's, so anything can happen. For what you're talking about, I'd stay away from a HP44 for the rear.

 

[Ghost]

okay well I found one 79 hp 60 here on naxja for 800 and I could have had a matching sterling rear...but shipping aint cheap.

second one was a 2005 f350 hp 60 I found on pirate and it was in nor cal im having it delivered by a buddy.

it took patients and alot of work to find those.

Oh ok so you were saying that you found one for $800 and then another for $800. I misunderstood you as saying you found 2 and together they were $800.... :wierd:

 

[xj9140]

How about using a Hp dana 50 in the rear. They use a 9 inch ring gear and are easy to find. Downside is there only 30 spline. I'm building one with a detroit and 4.88's to axept xj 44 shafts

 

[Goatman]

How about using a Hp dana 50 in the rear. They use a 9 inch ring gear and are easy to find. Downside is there only 30 spline. I'm building one with a detroit and 4.88's to axept xj 44 shafts

Probably not a bad idea to get a less expensive high pinion rear axle. If you're going to the trouble of retubing a D50 for the rear, I'd spring for some alloy D44 shafts, they're not that expensive.

 

[DirtyMJ]

Well, can I get a dana 50 spool that is 35 spline? I doubt it...


Besides, 50s aren't actually that cheap here. Unless ford made more of them than I thought. But, I've never asked to see who has one or two that they don't want.



Maybe I'll look into it. I've been thinking more that a heavier/larger/higher power rig probably doesn't make too much sense. I want to be street legal again sometime. Or if not technically legal - still driveable at near highway speeds.

I've also been thinking about ditching my current cab/chassis and starting with no OEM jeep parts - that would solve a lot of problems :flipoff: