What to do in the front for an axle?

[Heep]

Ok I searched left and right. Heres the deal. I have an 87 XJ with stock 30 in front and 35 in rear. I bought a Dana 44 from a
Scout II for the rear, so it is not a full size 44. Its about the same width as the 35 that was in there. Now, I need a front Dana44. Do I have to go to a full size Dana 44 in the front in order to get one? Its a tight budget thing so I cant get a new one. Is there a Dana 44 that will fit in the front thats not too big to run with the Scout II 44? Tell me what to do. Thanks

Scout II Dana44 rear 5X 51/2 bolt pattern.

What front axle do I go with?

 

[Economos]

Ford F-150 HP44, 5x5.5 bolt pattern; shorten the long side tube ~4". Stock width is 65.5" wms-wms.

 

[Heep]

If I cut and weld the Ford 44 like you said, what new axle shafts do I need to get for it?

 

[BUCKYXJ]

ummm find a scout front Dana 44 and your done. I cant tell you anymore ingo than that. Like I don't know what years and stuff.

 

[hpi_jeep]

scouts are pass side drop.

 

[Heep]

Yea i already know the Scout fron wont work unles I swap out the t-cases but I dont wanna fart around doin that. What about a full size wagoneer front? Would that work?

 

[BUCKYXJ]

sorry I like to think outside the box I would see this as a good time to throw in a D300 tcase with driverside drop and run the Scout axle. But you are down to Waggy front would be close to what your looking for I think it would be a little wide probably but not much I don't think. Or just have one cut down.

 

[useless]

You can get a HP44 and shorten it to fit waggy axles or use a waggy 44 although it is LP. I used a HP centersection and used the tubes from a LP waggy housing with Warn waggy length shafts.

 

[Heep]

Sorry Im new to this, so if I get a HP axle from an F-150 and get the tubes from a LP wagoneer axle. Weld em on then get axle shafts that fit the wagoneer HP 44 and I will be good to go? Whats the best way to get the tubes out of the center and put in the new ones?

 

[useless]

It is not easy and should be done by someone with experience. You need to mill out the plug welds in the housing and pull the tubes. Then you will need to press the new tubes in and re-fill the plug welds. If you don't have the know how, have a shop do it but it may be pricey.

It may be cheaper to get a full width HP44 and shorten the existing tubes to use waggy shafts but then you will need to find one without the cast radius arm mounts.

 

[jeepxjga]

well i have the exact setup you are talkin about...scout 44 rear/wag 44 front, i used all chevy outer stuff though like hubs, axles, knuckles, etc., my width is pretty close to each other, the wag is 61" wms/wms and the scout is 59" wms/wms

 

[Economos]

It may be cheaper to get a full width HP44 and shorten the existing tubes to use waggy shafts but then you will need to find one without the cast radius arm mounts.

That's what ya need to do.

 

[Hunter-LynchburgVa]

the scout 44 in the rear will need wheel spacers. at least 1.25" for the tires and wheels to clear your rear leaf springs.

Hunter

 

[forgiven]

front axle

If expense is the issue then all that's left to do is build the D30. Just slide in some TJ shafts with the 760 u-joints and call it good. Having tubes cut and rewelded isn't cheap, plus you'd have to have the bracketry welded for susp and the panhard bar. You might want to hang out waiting for a second hand D44 that someone had built for their XJ and now they're upgrading.

 

[XJWheelie]

Super 30?

Doesn't someone make heavy duty axles for the Dana 30? Maybe not bigger, but forged differently or something.

Robert

 

[Heep]

Well, Were are going to look this weekend at the U-pull it. MY buddy that is doin the rebuild with me went to school for welding so hopefully this is something we can tackle. The rear Scout II 44 we got is not installed yet and the only money we have invested in it is the $ 50 we paid for it its still sitting on the floor. Would it be good to go with full axles Front and Rear and not cut em down?

 

[forgiven]

I believe WARN makes forged axles or something of the sort.

 

[rockwerks]

the Ford f150 from 75 to 79 used welded on radius arm brackets, I used a 76 cut it to waggy size and used all the waggy steering and brakes.

 

[OILBURNER]

the Ford f150 from 75 to 79 used welded on radius arm brackets, I used a 76 cut it to waggy size and used all the waggy steering and brakes.

I deally you want to find a HP D44 from anything before 1978 Ford pickup. The 1978 & '79s have the radius arm mounts cast as one piece on the pass side & you cannot modify it. The 1976 & 77 will have disc brakes, before then will be drum & you would have to swap them on.

FWIW, the R&P strength of the HP D30 is comperable to the LP D44. If you can't obtain a HPD44, you will have to weigh the costs/benefits of losing ground clearance w/ a LP D44, the cost of the swap including coil mounts, different pattern wheels & stuff
VS.
Paying to upgrade HP D30 axles, hub conversion kit, strenghening the housing, Etc.

Either way it is not cheap

If you are not a purist, I have seen Toy axles under Jeeps - they work well and can be an economical alternative:anon:

 

[sintax]

I deally you want to find a HP D44 from anything before 1978 Ford pickup. The 1978 & '79s have the radius arm mounts cast as one piece on the pass side & you cannot modify it. The 1976 & 77 will have disc brakes, before then will be drum & you would have to swap them on.

not all ford HP44 from 78 and 79 had radius arms. Any D44 out of a F250 of those years should have leafs in the front, hence the lack of radius arms. My hpD44 is out of a 79 f250. It has the leaf mounts, and 8 lugs.

just an FYI

-Scott