Full-width Dana 44

triumphrider-1 · Oct 20, 2008

So I was pondering my (someday) conversion to full width solid axles and got to thinking. I want to run a D44 high pinion up front and was initially going to use the 9-inch out back, but I want to run a high pinion out back as well. Considering the cost of converting a 9-inch to high pinion I am leaning more towards running another D44 in the rear. In the process I also am contemplating a rear steer setup like the Chevy's had a few years back.

Any thoughts? Comments? Suyggestions?

4x4junkie · Oct 20, 2008

A HP D44 won't survive well as a rear axle. If a Hi-9 is out of the budget, I'd use a HP D60 out back.

97BlackBetty · Oct 20, 2008

A D44 is already so much weaker than a 8.8, and then to make it a HP for use as a rear xle is just making it that much weaker. When you have a HP axle used for the rear, the pinion drives on the coasting side of the ring gear. That and what, you gain an extra inch, maybe.

triumphrider-1 · Oct 20, 2008

No, it'd be more like 2 inches.

The Hi-9 is nice though because that bumps it something like 4" (just thought I'd add that).

I understand that it will be on the coast side, that is what it would be (Hi-9 would be the same, just a bit stronger).

A D60 may be a little larger than what is necessary for me, but I think I will do some checking up on the specs (have other ideas for the axles as well).

Edit:
Thinking about this a little more...I do have acess to a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with D60 front and rear.

4x4junkie · Oct 21, 2008

What size tires are you planning? A HP D44 out back isn't going to like much more than 33s or so (31s if you're using a steer axle).

The Hi-9 is also WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY more than "just a bit" stronger

Sasquatch_Ryda · Oct 21, 2008

triumphrider-1 said:
No, it'd be more like 2 inches. The Hi-9 is nice though because that bumps it something like 4" (just thought I'd add that).

I understand that it will be on the coast side, that is what it would be (Hi-9 would be the same, just a bit stronger).

A D60 may be a little larger than what is necessary for me, but I think I will do some checking up on the specs (have other ideas for the axles as well).

Edit:
Thinking about this a little more...I do have acess to a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with D60 front and rear.

A grand wagoneer would have a low pinion d44 front and an AMC20 rear

triumphrider-1 · Oct 21, 2008

4x4junkie said:
What size tires are you planning? A HP D44 out back isn't going to like much more than 33s or so (31s if you're using a steer axle).

The Hi-9 is also WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY more than "just a bit" stronger

I am leaning more towards 35" tires, but I am also considering 33" tires (can't make up my mind yet :icon_twisted:

). "Just a bit" was meant to be sarcastic, but I cannot convey emtion to well through typing. :dntknw:

Sasquatch_Ryda said:
A grand wagoneer would have a low pinion d44 front and an AMC20 rear

With 6 lugs?

4x4junkie · Oct 22, 2008

Yeah a HP D44 rear would not fare well with tires that size.

The Currie HP rear (8.8") might be worth considering, pretty sure its cheaper than a true Hi-9... Obviously it wouldn't be as strong, but should still be adequate for those tires.

Edit: Is this for your Supercab truck in your sig? Why do you want a high-pinion rear for that? You should have plenty of driveshaft on that thing :icon_confused:

triumphrider-1 · Oct 22, 2008

4x4junkie said:
Yeah a HP D44 rear would not fare well with tires that size.

The Currie HP rear (8.8") might be worth considering, pretty sure its cheaper than a true Hi-9... Obviously it wouldn't be as strong, but should still be adequate for those tires.

Edit: Is this for your Supercab truck in your sig? Why do you want a high-pinion rear for that? You should have plenty of driveshaft on that thing

I'll have to check into that. Thanks.

Yeah, it'll be for the supercab. I am planning for a high pinion to keep it more up and out of the way (safer is better

) not really worried about length.

Sasquatch_Ryda · Oct 22, 2008

triumphrider-1 said:
With 6 lugs?

Yessir

Toreadorranger · Oct 22, 2008

triumphrider-1 said:
I'll have to check into that. Thanks.

Yeah, it'll be for the supercab. I am planning for a high pinion to keep it more up and out of the way (safer is better ) not really worried about length.

Just spend the money on a Nice thick Dshaft.

4x4junkie · Oct 23, 2008

Toreadorranger said:
Just spend the money on a Nice thick Dshaft.

+1

A thickwalled shaft should tolerate being scraped on rocks fine.

Live 2B OffRoad · Nov 16, 2008

im lost, how could a front d44 be used in the rear? and why woud it be so much weaker than if it was in the front? is it because he wants to use a HP? heh my mind is gone right now im sure someone will straighten me out.

4x4junkie · Nov 17, 2008

Live 2B OffRoad said:
im lost, how could a front d44 be used in the rear? and why woud it be so much weaker than if it was in the front? is it because he wants to use a HP? heh my mind is gone right now im sure someone will straighten me out.

Like 97BlackBetty said above, the gears are being driven on the wrong (weaker) side of the teeth. D44 front axleshafts with their u-joints are not near as strong as a straight rear shaft would be either.
Combine that with the added stress of weight transfer that a rear axle sees while climbing an obstacle offroad (or even with simple hard acceleration) you have a recipe for breakage. With a D60 (or the Hi-9 with 60-sized shafts), it's parts are so much bigger they have enough reserve strength that they will better tolerate being run "backwards" like that.

Think of it as driving in reverse up every tough hillclimb or other obstacle offroad... your front axle won't last very long doing that.

That help out?

sasdranger · Nov 28, 2008

i just put the 9" in my truck and I'm not liking how low the drive shaft hangs, atleast on the 8.8 the yoke isn't completely at the bottom of the housing.

only time will tell how long it will last.

Full-width Dana 44

Active Member

Forum Staff Member

New Member

Active Member

Forum Staff Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Forum Staff Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

New Member

Forum Staff Member

New Member

Forum Staff Member

New Member

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Member & Vendor Upgrades

Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad

Amazon Deals