installing HP dana 44

[twitch]

I've been wheeling my XJ for a couple years with a 6.5 lift and 33s. It has gotten some good abuse.....to the point where every panel is smashed to hell.
This rig was my daily driver up until a couple weeks ago.....which means now I can build it and not have to worry about down time.
Im upgrading to 37s from my little old 33s and using hummer beadlocks (7"BS). The d30/8.8 combo is comming out to be replaced with a 44/60 combo. I have started the leaf conversion aswell. I managed to find a d60 rear(FF) and need to know what to find for a front. The trails here are tight and the widest I can really go would be 72"(track width). My d60 measures 63.5 wms to wms and need to match the front. I need some good info on shortening the front. I like to be able to go to the local wrecker and get replacement shafts so custom shafts are not what i want. I do need to keep the 8 lug pattern.

Questions - Which year axle to get for this swap
Which shafts to use? Waggys?
Which brakes will fit the rims?

 

[XJ_ranger]

good info here:
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

to run the hummer rims, you are looking at running 8 on 6.5 correct?

you speced a high pinion, so you are looking at ford units (assuming you want to stay drivers side drop - if not, you are looking at a custom diff)

For outters - im not sure if the 3/4 ton Jeep fronts are 8 on 6.5, but i know the F-250's are.

I believe the hummer rims to be 17's, so no matter what you do for brakes, you shouldnt have an issue..

 

[twitch]

the rims are 16.5.
yes i what a ford HP
Im having a hard time finding good info on what factory parts I can use to get the set up I want.

 

[STEELFISH]

Shorten to Narrow Track Wagoneer width, should be able to find shafts from those in the local wrecking yard. and that would be similar to the 63" mark.

 

[twitch]

I thought the waggy inners would work but I didn't know what parts are interchangable.

 

[Wil Badger]

i would leave the front 44 alone and just use the right ammount of backspacing on the rims.i went with 5 inches of back spacing and it worked out perfect.i also used a 17" rim to make sure i had no issues with clearance.

 

[twitch]

Whats your total track width. I must keep mine under 73"

 

[Kittrell]

You want to fit a 37" tire under an XJ with a 7" BS'd wheel on a stockish width axle? Got Lift?

 

[twitch]

I hacked my fenders big time and after the front leafs are in it will have the room. I don't see the difficulty here.... a 37 is just not that big. I think a larger tire could fit. The trails around here are tight so I want to keep it as narrow as I can.

 

[texasxj]

all your 8 lug stuff can come off of a 8 lug 10 bolt or a 44. Im doing the same thing except with a coil 44-havent found 8 lug stuff yet though

 

[XJ_ranger]

I hacked my fenders big time and after the front leafs are in it will have the room. I don't see the difficulty here.... a 37 is just not that big. I think a larger tire could fit. The trails around here are tight so I want to keep it as narrow as I can.

leaves on a steering axle with 37's? arent the tires going to rub on the leaves when you are turning?

 

[Jes]

leaves on a steering axle with 37's? arent the leaves going to suck ass?

 

[twitch]

leaves on a steering axle with 37's? arent the tires going to rub on the leaves when you are turning?

Im running 12.5s now and don't have a problem with them hitting the LCA. The next set-up will be wider......so no rubbing on the springs

 

[CRASH]

Why would you want to run 37's on a 44? You will break stubs, hubs, ball joints, U-joints and spindles.

Save your money and build a 60. I have broken all of the above with 35's.

 

[jagermiester]

I have run 37's and 38.5's on my 8 lug 10bolt front underneath my full size chevy shortbed for a yaer now. I havent broken a single shaft or wheel joint. I am locked w/ a detroit and do rocks.

 

[bj-666]

I have run 37's and 38.5's on my 8 lug 10bolt front underneath my full size chevy shortbed for a yaer now. I havent broken a single shaft or wheel joint. I am locked w/ a detroit and do rocks.

thanks for the comic releif.:laugh3:

 

[Wil Badger]

with a fullsize 44 and 5" of backspacing i'm at 80" overall width.thats with 36 IROKs on 17" rims

 

[Gil BullyKatz]

I have run 37's and 38.5's on my 8 lug 10bolt front underneath my full size chevy shortbed for a yaer now. I havent broken a single shaft or wheel joint. I am locked w/ a detroit and do rocks.

Hmmm...

This thread comes to mind:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442341&highlight=10+bolt

 

[CRASH]

I have run 37's and 38.5's on my 8 lug 10bolt front underneath my full size chevy shortbed for a yaer now. I havent broken a single shaft or wheel joint. I am locked w/ a detroit and do rocks.

I think your mullet may be helping keep that 10 bolt alive....