D44 vs D60

[Jeremed]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on a front full size D44 vs D60. I got a full width D44 for free. I am considering building it with alloy shafts and a Detroit locker. I am just worried that it won't be quite as strong as a D60. What are your thoughts? If you would build up the D44 what would you do to it. I have a YJ with a Chevy 350 and an atlas. Running 39" bfg stickies. Rear is a 14 bolt. Thx

 

[Badger]

With what you already have as running gear I would say go 60 and be done with it. The only real price difference in building them is getting the axle. Strength wise you will never be able to come close to matching the 60 with a 44.

 

[zukijames]

could it work.. yes.. would it be sad to have a big motor strong case strong rear axle and amazing tires but have to be worried all the time your going to blow up the front end ? yes


i was going to run a built 44 with chromo shafts and ctm u joints and then go to rcv's when needed.. but i was planning on toyota 4 banger and non stickies


by the time you build the 44 you might as well just go with the 60

the built 44 might be strong enough .. but if its not then what? sell it loose lots of money and end up building a 60?

if the stock 60 isnt enough.. go to 35 spline outers.. if thats not enough rcvs and never worry again

 

[mesha]

I ran a chevy 44 in jeep for several years and only broke one U-joint in a UROC competition. I had 38s and a 350. Shafts were stock, ujoint were from autozone. I think the only reason it broke was because I forgot to put in the c clips when I changed out the ujoint. That being said, I now have a 60 so I don't have to worry. If the gears are already the right gears then put in some RCVs and you might be fine. If the gears are not right then just go with a 60. A set of shafts isnt a ton of money, but if you need to fully build the 44 your would be better off just spending the money on a 60.

A lot depends on your driving style. If you are a hammer down kind of guy then you will want a 60.

 

[zukijames]

davy did you have stickies?

 

[Gravy]

60.

buy mine!
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?91853-FOR-SALE-KINGPIN-FORD-HIGH-PINION-DANA-60

 

[bamacpl]

This is Derek

 

[Greg]

IMO, 39" sticky Krawlers will kill a Dana 44 in very little time... especially with a V8! You'll be breaking shafts, u-joints and ball joints way too often. Sell the Dana 44 for $100 and start saving money for a Dana 60. Do it right the first time and save yourself all the on-trail breakdowns.

 

[Jeremed]

Need a passenger side drop

 

[TJDukit]

Another vote for the d60. I worry about my rubicon on 35's, V6 and D44.

 

[Omgbecki]

Are you running low gears? What do you do with this axle and how often? I know most people are bigger and badder types. I myself go by the have and not need then over need it and not have it concept. But on that same side if you already have the 44 why not see what you can do with it. On the same idea though, if you can source a 60 cheap then why not?

 

[mesha]

davy did you have stickies?

I did not have stickies in that rig, good point. I did have sticky bfgs on another rig with a 44 in the front and never broke it either, but it had a 4.0 instead of a v8. I did break the shaft on a rear dana 60 in that jeep.


To original poster. Wheel your junk. Don't let not having a 60 stop you from wheeling. You can wheel it as is or throw the dana 44 on there this weekend and wheel it as stock for months or years instead of letting it sit waiting for a 60. If the 44 is full width then everything will be already set up for you if you do swap in a 60 down the line.
I am not saying a 44 is as good as a 60, it isnt. I am saying that wheeling a rig on a 44 is more fun than a rig in the shop waiting forever to save up for a 60.

 

[Cascadia]

I'm confused. 2insane told me a 44 is stronger than a 60. I don't know what to believe now.

 

[Kevin B.]

I was waiting for that...

 

[Bart]

With your drivetrain, I'd vote for a 60. I had the same situation and despite the cost, I went with a 60 because I only wanted to do it once.

 

[DAA]

FWIW... I don't do much rock crawling, or heavy abusive wheeling - a little bit once in awhile, but not much. Mostly just a lot of dirt miles w/35's on a TJ Rubi 44 with chromo shafts . I haven't broken anything in it yet, but even with just 35's it goes though stuff like unit bearings, steering TRE's and ball joints pretty fast - none of those parts have lasted me 30,000 miles and some a lot less. When I add it up, it actually costs a couple hundred a year just to keep 35's rolling smooth without DW. If you plan on putting many miles a year on the rig, I think the maintenance costs of a 39's on a 44 might be pretty high even without breakage.

- DAA

 

[Chevycrew]

I think with 39s, a 60 is cheaper in the long run. (Might even pay for itself after the first year of breakage)

 

[Cody]

39's and a 350? Is this even a question.

with a 318 and 37's, I broke (if memory serves) 14 outers, 8 inners, probably 20+ ujoints, and at least 40 hubs in my 44. I paid the $$$ for alloys and the carnage stopped, but I was also very timid with the thing because I couldn't afford new shafts if I broke them.

In the end, if you build the 44 and find that you're at it's limits, then your only recourse is to spend even more time and money on the 60. If you just build the 60 in the first place, you'll never have to worry about outgrowing it.

 

[bobdog]

I regret building a 44 instead of a 60. For what I ended up spending (Superior cromo shafts and CTMs) I could have had the 60. I have never broken anything in the 44, but I would feel better with the bigger axle.

 

[ID Bronco]

39's and a 350? Is this even a question.

with a 318 and 37's, I broke (if memory serves) 14 outers, 8 inners, probably 20+ ujoints, and at least 40 hubs in my 44. I paid the $$$ for alloys and the carnage stopped, but I was also very timid with the thing because I couldn't afford new shafts if I broke them.

In the end, if you build the 44 and find that you're at it's limits, then your only recourse is to spend even more time and money on the 60. If you just build the 60 in the first place, you'll never have to worry about outgrowing it.

I am surprised you went so long before upgrading. My 44 has been awesome with all upgraded parts and 39's and a V8

but..............I have wished for a 60 for years. Don't make the same mistake.