DANA 44'S AND 9" REARS

[86MJ2WD]

Looking for some opinions , i've done some research but figure it's just better to ask outwrite to those who have or those who were there when it was done . I've called on a few favours from friends i've caame up with this and that . A dana 44 front from a 1978 blue oval 1/2 ton , 3:50 gears complete $200.00 . I "think" it has the control arm "castings" on the tubes so possible another year . Has anyone ever cut them out then just retubed over top ? I'm seriously concidering converting it to leafs in the front , can i use a wagoneer steering set up with a drop pitman arm to bring it all together ? For the rear i've come up with a 9" ford again late 70's blue oval , 3:50's , $200.00 what's a good setup to convert this to rear disk ? Thought of newer style front disk from ????? blue oval fronts"" then taking a set of calipers and caliper retainers from a wagoneer or "other" front dana 44 and grafting together . I will be running 33's and would be installing 4:11's once the bank account built up again . If i'm on the right track let me know if theres a ceaper or easier way let me know please . At my desposal in my price range i have the rights to Dana 44's " from wagoneer " front pinion passengers side" 1985 blue oval 4x4 3/4 ton , pair of dana 44 blue ovals drivers pinion , pair 9" fords rear .1987 mj parts truck . and the local parts store but they won't give me the parts when the little machine says declined :dunno: 'O" and 9" because i'm a little old skool .

[bpm4x4]

I have a 44 front and a 9" rear, my 44 came out of an old full size Cherokee (82) and my rear came out of a 79 Bronco. The rear was already converted to disc using f150/bronco front rotors and blazer calipers (which are almost the same as waggy calipers). If I was in your shoes having that front axle I would do like what Pete did on his front suspension. As far as steering I am using factory Waggy 82 Cherokee steering, but I had to ream out my pitman arm a little to make it fit, you may be able to do the same.

[Pete M]

Another choice is to go with a grand wagoneer front 44 (drivers side diff) and mate that with the rear Dana 44 from a ~95 Isuzu Rodeo or Honda Passport. the Isuzu axle comes with disk brakes and 4.30 gears. Then you just need to regear the waggy axle to match and swap the Isuzu pinion flange to a U-joint flange. The Waggy axle is already leaf sprung, so it's a simple task to slice the mounts off for a clean slate.

 

If I were in your shoes, I'd avoid the 78 Ford front axle. Those cast-in mounts are not fun to deal with, although leaf spring mount will be a bit easier to attach than a 4-link. And leafspring frontend conversions are no picnic either. How much of a project are you looking for? Plan on custom steering links no matter which axle you go with.