buddy208 Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 would two dana 44s off a new jeep wrangler work for rock climbing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFreeze5 Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 would two dana 44s off a new jeep wrangler work for rock climbing Depends on the rock. 44/44 seems to be a good solid setup for just about any Jeep that doesnt see extreme trail useage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 The "Dana 44s" off new Wranglers are a combination of a Dana 44 center section with the outers and hubs from a Dana 30. If the front axle comes off the latest model Wrangler, when they widened the track they did NOT beef up the axle tubes and they are prone to bending. Over a year ago one of the 4x4 magazines did a write-up on a company that sells a kit to strengthen these axles. It involves a tightly-machined sleeve that gets pressed inside the axle tubes, basically doubling the wall thickness, plus some gussets to reinforce the 'Cs' to the tubes on the outer end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Eggzachery. The Rubi-type D44 is more of a hybrid. The use of D44's in serious rock climbing is hotly debated, and is generally only recommended for lighter rigs without a ton of horsepower. A HP front D44 helps, too. That being said, I have wheeled the snot out of FSJ''s with a 44/44 axle combo without issues, although it is not in areas where the wheels were consistantly getting stuck between rocks and where powering the axles when turned to max and in a bind was required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 would two dana 44s off a new jeep wrangler work for rock climbing What is your definition of rock climbing? What size tires are you looking for it to handle? You going Hammer style: Or basic rocks: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddy208 Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 basic with no more than 35 but mainly 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkbruin Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 yes and no. Are they better than the factory 30/35, but they are not a true 44. You will need custom bracketry regardless, so overall I think you would be better off going with a combo out of a Waggy. Dollar for dollar, its stronger than what you have now, but you can have stronger for comparable $$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 The front waggy is definitely a good set up for wheeling on 35s but the pumpkin is a little big for 33s (and the lift to accommodate 33s). It is not impossible to fit but just way tighter under there. The rear waggy axle is NOT a good axle for the MJ. There are a couple of issues with it. The biggest issue is the width. It is VERY narrow and with the EXTRA WIDE rear frame rails on an MJ, guaranteed rubbing and interference with angled suspension travel is a must. The easy fix is wheel spacers on this but people will have their opinions on wheel spacers.. The other issue is the axle shafts themselves. They used a couple of different sizes over the years for the rear axles so finding spares can be fun. Basically you have to go to the yard and pull shafts and measure them. The third issue is the lack of aftermarket support. It seems that even the SJ guys dump these rears for other options. The shafts are only 30 spline and require custom lengths so they can get expensive. Currie charges $460 for a pair of shafts (including the bearings though). Please note it is VERY simple to convert a front waggy to 5 x 5.5" bolt pattern (Small bearing Chevy spindles and a set of ford rotors). When it is converted to 5 x 5.5" a standard MJ Dana 44 will match up quite nice with off the shelf aftermarket shafts with the same bolt pattern (i.e. Alloy USA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddy208 Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 yea but i have rubicon rims that i don't really want to get rid of and that lock out would make a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 yea but i have rubicon rims that i don't really want to get rid of and that lock out would make a problem 'lock out' be a problem? Please elaborate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewt2007 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 yea but i have rubicon rims that i don't really want to get rid of and that lock out would make a problem 'lock out' be a problem? Please elaborate. as in lockout hubs the wagoneer front end had the ability to have lock out hubs on the ends of the axel to increase gas milage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddy208 Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 what i meant was the rims won't be able to fit on those axle cause the lock out is to big for the center hole of the rim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 what i meant was the rims won't be able to fit on those axle cause the lock out is to big for the center hole of the rim It is called a hub. The axle runs on spindles (as opposed to our 4x4 MJs coming with unit bearings) and the spindles are large. It is the hub that covers the spindle, outer axle shaft. FWIW, most of the late model waggy axles came with drive slugs and no manual locking hubs as they had full time 4wd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddy208 Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 i know its a hub I'm not a retard and warn seem easiest to explain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM/78 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 In my opinion , a well built D44 is the best all around option , Alloy axle shafts , reinforced housings , welded shafts and alloy gears are the way to go . This coming from someone who has broke more D60's than 44's . Sure , I'd love a new set of matching built D60's , but unless someone wants to just give me a couple of custom built axles , I'm sticking with my guns on the 44 . I'll turn the the D30 into a super turdy and be done with it . No the 92" won't be crawling on 20" foot boulders or be sportin' some 40" tires but it will see its fair share of madness for sure . The 35" tires are max for me as well . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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