NorthWoods Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 So I'm contemplating a front dana 44 wagoneer axle for the 87 I'm building. I know which axle I need and what id like to do with it as far as coil buckets, control arm mounts and gears. I don't want to switch to front leafs and I don't think I want to run torsion bars (ford hp dana 44), I'm pretty sure I want to run a 44 with the current 6 inch coils and long arms that I already have for the build. My question is, does anyone here run a low pinion wagoneer axle, that is running 6 inches of lift? I'm curious about shaft angles. Also if anyone has some input on why I would rather run a hp44 with torsion bars please let me know. I will be running 4.88's and 35's with 6 inches of lift since I already have the soa kit for the rear of the truck. Any info is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 I'm running the ford radius arms and I wouldn't do it again. no love for the other ford axles? (80s 3/4ton 44/60 or superduty dana 50/60) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWoods Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 I'm trying to stay away from running 60's on this rig.I ran a ford 60 on the front of my fsj with a corporate in the rear. I want to stick with something close to factory wigth. Also not really interested in cutting tubes. Up here in maine we have height restrictions and tire restrictions on how much a tire can stick past your fenders. Height is easy to beat at inspection time by running a set of 235/75/15's but wigth of a full size axle will never get you passed. I would prefer to keep a solid front axle instead of going to a 80+ ford ifs axle. the more I talk about it, the more I am convincing myself that the waggy 44 is what I'm looking for. Keeping factory wigth, running coils and adjustable ca's. Without installing a flipped dana 300 and being able to run passenger side drop I feel like the waggy axle is my only real choice. Just would like to hear from someone who runs one or has run one in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 gotcha. :thumbsup: I assume you already know about the rodeo/passport rear axles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWoods Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 I've got a factory 44 in the rear that I am going to run for the time being. Have a set of gears and a locker for it already from another project I had going. when that axle $#!&s out I will swap in a better 44 or a ford 8.8 to have rear discs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 how are you accommodating the different rim patterns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWoods Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 I'm either planning on swapping both to a 5x5.5 which seems like more trouble then its worth. Or I'm gonna try to pick up a matching waggy 44 for the rear or an izuzu rear and sell my mj44. Kinda the reason that I'm trying to pick a few peoples brains. I know I was looking past a few things when I was thinking about this swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 hard to beat the rodeo/passport rear 44. matches your waggy front in width and pattern and has disks and 4.30 gears. should easily be able to sell your MJ 44 and get one of these plus some cash in your pocket for new brakes on it. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWoods Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 The only thing I don't care for about the isuzu axle is that it doesn't use normal dana ring and pinion gears. Not a deal breaker for me but just something else to keep spare parts for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75sv1 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I think there are two versions of the Isuzu axles. I forget the year break. The older ones from what I have read use standard Dana 44 parts. Someone did a writie up on what parts will work with the 'newer' Isuzu axles. I think there is even a 4.54 ratio avalalbe, but no disc brakes on it. I am planning this swap myself. I have the front Waggy PS drop and the Isuzu. Also 3 Isuzu aluminum rims. Need to figure how to cover that logo with a Jeep logo. I plan to keep the coils etc. Hope to have some time around spring. I keep saying that for the past 10 years though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 if I remember right, 94-95 are the ones to look for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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