Worth the hassle?

[azjeepfreak]

I have a VERY small window of opportunity to buy a front D44 for $150 off a local guy. Says it came off a '74 Dodge truck. Here's the issue though. It looks like it's set up the opposite of a Jeep axle. If you're looking at the front of the diff cover, (wide side on left & narrow side on right), the diff would be on the passenger side of the vehicle. kinda weird. Wondering if it's possibe to have the tubes pulled & switched to opposite sides, or if that's even neccassary. The tubes would have to be shortened anyway, they measure at 65" track width. I don't care about any of the gearing because it would all be upgraded, & new perches and brackets would go on with a truss. Basically want the diff housing & tubes. It also doesn't appear to be an HP. Is this axle worth the $150, and the hassel to set it up for my Jeep? What price range would I be looking at with that kind of work?

[DirtyComanche]

It's not worth it. Way too much money to change it. Buy a grand waggy diff if you want a LP D44.

[Pete M]

I'd pass too. If I remember right, the really trick thing to do is to find a Ford fullsize front 44 (either pre-78 F-150 or 78-79 if you're going to re-tube it, or any year solid axle F-250 but then you need to think about brakes and bolt patterns) and narrow the long side to fit a Grand Waggy axle shaft. Makes it about the right width for an MJ/XJ. Then you just have to figure out a match for the rear. Maybe a Scout rear 44?

 

In my opinion, it's better to start out with the best you can afford rather than the cheapest you can find.

[azjeepfreak]

Thought as much. I'm not neccessarily looking for a front 44. I am looking for a rear. Answered an ad that said he had front & rear 44 for $250. When I got there, the rear was a 35. So was just curious if the front could be worked, but guess not.

[kazzx]

Pass...

[pingpong]

here is pretty much everything you need to know. If the axle is a disc brake front, and the knuckles can be milled and the brakes and spindles are serviceable.. might be worth a few bucks.

 

This will enlighten you on the D44's

 

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

 

Book mark it and read it often when you have questions about if the axle is worth building

[eacomanche88]

I had a 74 Dodge 4wd with a dana 44 and it had drum brakes in front, I don't think discs were avail that year.

[carnuck]

That axle is from something else if the rear was D35. Dodge didn't use them except maybe early Dakota. I want unit bearing D44 knuckles with XJ pattern to put onto a FSJ front axle for mine.