• RME Gear & Apparel

Dana 44 questions???/

Kris K

Kris K

4x4 Addict!
Location
Heber City, UT
I was wondering are some D44's stronger then others. I'm in the middle of putting D44's under my samurai I have D44's form a 73 scout II. I plan on running 35-37 inch tires. I'd love D60's but i got the 44's for free and i don't t hink the stock engine is up to it plus i don't think i will break the 44's to easy anyways? Also is it alot stronger to upgrade to 8 lug instead of 5lug?
 
Floppy Hat

Floppy Hat

mbryson's hairdresser
Location
Lehi, Ut.
For the most part a D44 is a D44. Those that came in the front of 3/4 ton trucks do have thicker housings, providing a little more strength but the shafts, joints, and R&P's are all the same. IMO, if you're having problems breaking housings on the regular 44 you're going to need something bigger than the heavy duty 44.

IMO, 37's are right on the edge for D44's. However, many people will disagree with me and talk about how they're running 38's and bigger without problems. I personally wouldn't trust anything bigger than a 36 on a D44 and that is pushing it.

As far as the wheel pattern goes. Naturally, the 8-lug is going to be stronger than the 5-lug, but I don't think it is worth the trouble to go from 5 to 8.
 
troutbum

troutbum

cubi-kill
Location
SLC
Two things to be aware of on the Scout d44's,

1st 0* caster on all but the 1980 scouts which have 3*
2nd I have seen a scout D44 with 260X joint instead of 297x. This was the only one I have ever heard of, but you may want to check, as that would essentially make it a d30.


After saying all that my BIL runs a D30 under his zuk, he is only running 33's but he beats on it. no probs yet. Personally I think any D44 will work for what you want.

Normally I would agree with the < 36" but with a light weight zuk and an anemic motor, you might be ok bigger.

Last thing, I hope you are stretching the wheel base, cause a stock WB zuk with 37+ :eek:
 
U

Utahcryogenics

Formerly "Beerman"
Location
Murray
I have a D44HD from a 78 F250 BOM 610040.
It has half inch thick housing, same as a D60.

If you get Warn$ & CTM$ you will have a mock 60.
Then the only weak point is the hubs, but think about it, if you were going to break anything, it would be better to break a hub than a shaft or joint.

Most premium hubs are covered under lifetime warranty. I carry two sets with me at all times.

I have many friends on the fsBronco board beatin gthe piss out of a D44 with large tires, no problems.

Bronkzilla is on 42's TSL (Non radial) and he hast broke anything except an occasional hub.

Another item is the ball joints, with large tires expect to replace those about once every two years depending on how often you wheel.

I like D44's because they have mass availability, if your broke and need just a stub shaft you can find that at any pic & pull pretty quick, break a d60 part and you will not have the same luck.

Just my 2 cents.
 
grinch

grinch

inner city redneck
Location
Salt Lake City
Ive broken every shaft on my scout dana 44 and only run 35 inch tires with a 6 cyl. The problem with scout shafts are they arnt a dime a dozen like the chevy 44's are... good luck finding them and the stub shafts are diffrent than the fords or chevys...
Ive spun my hubs 8 times in the last 2 years and am glad I poneyd up for the warn preimums.... Replacing the hubs that many times would get spendy....
 
Milner

Milner

formerly "rckcrlr"
Location
Hiding behind a camera
Beerman said:
I have a D44HD from a 78 F250 BOM 610040.
It has half inch thick housing, same as a D60.

If you get Warn$ & CTM$ you will have a mock 60.
Then the only weak point is the hubs, but think about it, if you were going to break anything, it would be better to break a hub than a shaft or joint.

Most premium hubs are covered under lifetime warranty. I carry two sets with me at all times.

I have many friends on the fsBronco board beatin gthe piss out of a D44 with large tires, no problems.

Bronkzilla is on 42's TSL (Non radial) and he hast broke anything except an occasional hub.

Another item is the ball joints, with large tires expect to replace those about once every two years depending on how often you wheel.

I like D44's because they have mass availability, if your broke and need just a stub shaft you can find that at any pic & pull pretty quick, break a d60 part and you will not have the same luck.

Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I thought like this once....but after breaking a couple Warn shafts, and shearing a spindle off the knuckle, I went to a real 60....no problems since.

As for 44's....some really old ones have some issues, and stay away from the aluminum center section ones fron the ZJ's. But like has been said, all more or less the same, except for tube thickness.
Along with some Scouts, EB's also had 260 joints in their front 44's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top