Dana 44 front

[JeepDew]

can I slide in a rubicon dana 44 front into the Manche. does everything line up...

thanks in advance

Mike

[Badger]

yep........

 

the only thing you might have issues with is the driveshaft might need to be shortened.

[TNT]

Unless you are getting a real good deal, I would stick with a HP D30.

 

The rubi axle is a low pinion which is about the same as HP D30 strength wise. The brakes aren't any better and it uses the same u-joints as a D30 can. The axle shafts still have a neck down in them that makes them about the same strength as a D30.

 

It's not much of an upgrade. You do get 4.10 gears and a locker. The 4.10 gear is in a 4cyl d30 so all you really gain is the locker and a slight increase in housing strength.

 

For the money you could make a HPD30 stronger then a rubi 44.

 

Unless a D44 has alloy shafts, is a HP and uses real D44 outer axle/brake parts it really isn't much of an upgrade.

[Badger]

I would tend to agree with most of what he said for the most part its a spruced up Dana 30 .The only real strength increase over the 30 is the ring and pinion.The shafts are just as weak,unit bearing still,brakes are the same size ( as mentioned),and the housing is really about the same as the 30 in my opinion,as well as the axle tubes are still thin.If you want a 44 get a real one from a 70's ford 3/4 ton and cut it down to use waggy inner shafts.

[TNT]

Since the rubi 44 runs on the coast side of the gear this makes it weaker.

 

A HP D30 runs on the drive side of the gear which almost makes up for any strength lost due to the size difference.

 

I have a '77 HP D44 that I will be building. It has 1/2" wall axle tubes and real brakes that will have much more stopping power. It will need alloy shafts and good u-joints like CTM's to handle 35"-36" tires without breakage problems. My weak point should de the lockouts.

 

I aslo have a HP D60 I could use but it is huge and wieghs a ton. It's just overkill IMO. If I planed on 38's or larger it would be my first choice

[JeepDew]

Thanks for the reply guys....do they make stonger axle shafts for the HP Dana 30. what are your choices

mike

[BLHTAZ]

Yes...you can get alloy shafts for the HP D30 and have a very dependable axle for the average wheeling. D30's are not really given the credit due them as they hold up much better than a lot of people want you to believe...especially if they are the ones with the 297 ujoints ('95 & newer I believe).