I'm looking to go full width axles on my Wrangler(TJ), stretch, etc. Anyway, here is my dilemma:

My brother is building a 76 ramcharger, pulled out the whole driveline and replaced it w/ 60s, 400 BB, etc. He said I can have the axles if I want em..sweeettt Full width D44/9.25, plenty strong. I know this is a BAD year for this 44. I don't plan on running past 37s MAYBE 39's in the long run w/ this set up. If I ever choose to run 39s, I'll consider upgrading again. I just CANT get past the free part. Is there anything I can do to that 44 to give it some strength. I am not a heavy footed driver, pretty light on the skinny pedal. Thanks

Josh

 

Upgraded shafts would help a LOT. But 37s would be really pushing a 44/9.25...

 

For what it would cost you to upgrade the Dana 44 you could buy a Dana 60 and still have money left over. A skinny 37 would probably be the biggest tire I would run on a Dana 44. Your Jeep is relatively light which should help some.

The 9.25 is actually a descent axle and should have no problem holding up to a 37" tire.

If the axles are free I would swap them in and if you have problems with breakage then upgrade.

PS I would check the gear ratio in the axles, theres a good possibility that it only has 3.55 gears which would make the Jeep a dog with 37s unless you are planning on swapping gears.

 

do a google search for pirate4x4. That site may have better info as to what might and might not work....

 

Thanks guys.

Im on pirate quite abit. Although they are pretty biased to 60s, 9s and 14b...I figured Id ask here. Thanks

 

I ran 37s on dana 44s with no problems for 2 years. 84 cj-7 stretched. T-18 tranny, Dana 300 T-case, 4:88 gears with Detroit lockers. I ran the stock motor so no major power to break stuff. Ran mostly on the extreme trails, but occassionally ran "hard" trails. I miss my jeep

 

does that year 44 have unit bearing hubs?

 

No....and I'm not sure why this would be considered a "bad" year for a D44?? There is a reason why the Pirate guys are biased towards D60's - they work! And are so much stronger than a D44. If you get the D44 for free, great - but don't get roped into spending money on it....it just isn't worth it. Wheeling hard with 37's is asking too much out of a D44, IMO.....I know it can be done but you will have to start throwing too much money at it to keep it alive.....money that could be spent on a D60 instead.

Mods: This thread might get a little more exposure in the offroad forum.

 

The only downside I see to running those axles is that there may not be as many aftermarket parts available for them (stronger axleshafts, high steer setup). When I ran D44s under my jeep, I used a scout rear, and waggy front. Both were pretty common, and are easy to find parts for. Again, they held up fine for 2 years in the rocks of Las Cruces with somewhat sane driving.

 

If you're considering running 39s and driving like you stole it, then don't waste your money on the D44s.