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8.8/D44 Hybrid Build Thread...w/PIC's


RacinNdrummin

Well-Known Member
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
629
City
Auburn, Wa
Vehicle Year
2005
Transmission
Manual
Ok I have almost all my parts to build the axle now so I guess I can start the thread.

If this is not the appropriate section for this than please move it.....




I picked up a chevy D44 off of Craigslist for $25. Had high steer knuckles but no spindles or brake hardware.

craigslist017.jpg

Eltaco049.jpg


I removed the knuckles and proceded to cut the inner C's off the housing.

Eltaco050.jpg


I also picked up a full size 8.8 from a 92 bronco that has a Trac-lok for $75. Ill put my 4.10's I have on the shelf in and rebuild the trac-lok with the disc/fiber/disc/fiber method.

Im using a fullsize axle because because it gives me a little bit more tubing to play with to get the width I want right..

Eltaco051.jpg


Im only into this axle $100 dollars, Ive gotten away pretty cheap so far.

More to come.
 
I pretty much got the 8.8 disassembled today, and everything looks good on the inside. Ill probably re-use all the bearings and mock up the new gears with the existing shims, and see where I come out. Its not like the front axle will be engaged all the time with the full torque of the engine against it like the rear axle, Ill be suprised if the thing ever sees over 30mph.

Ill get some pics up tomorrow.
 
dude $25 for flat top knuckles:shok: and an axle must be nice

so what arre you going to do for axle shafts, custom? and what are the pros of the lp 44 to lp 8.8, wouldn't a hp 44 be better? and easier
 
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Yeah, the guy already had flat tops and he didnt seem to be hurting for money, he didnt have the flat tops advertised with the axle, I didnt know the flat tops were coming with the axle til I got to his house. It definately was a killer deal. I ended up junking the rest of the axle as it was pretty much worthless, unless somebody wanted to make a 44 rearend out of it.
 
Curious....

Anybody know a trick to getting the stock chevy steering arm off of the knuckle short of torching the bolts?
 
Lol, been there.

The bitch aint comin' off.

Its got those angle locks on the studs.
 
Heat the crap out of it then grab a mini sledge and hit it. Try to avoid hitting the knuckle its self. You just have to work those cone washers loose. Grab a can of PB blaster while your at it and hit them with it.
 
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I got new studs and cones with my high steer arms, so I rattles on the cones with the airhammer and they popped right out. then I just tapped the arm with a deadblow and off it came. Looks like a fun project!

-andrew
 
Got some more stuff done...

Shaved all the brackets off of the housing. Its basically bare now aside from the bearing races and those are going to stay in there.

Eltaco052.jpg


Still needs a "brakleenup" and a wire wheel job and that will be next before I start the work on it.

Im hoping the tube thickness is .25", because if it is, my D44 inner C's will fit right inside the tube and it will save a little work, I wont have to lathe up any adapters, or machine the old axle tubes off of the C's.
 
So, your using an 8.8 center and putting on dana44 outers, c's, knuckles, spindles, etc?

what are you doing about axles shafts? I'm assuming some custom ones.

that's a good idea if it doesn't cost that much to do, kinda like a mini 609 axle setup.
 
Yeah thats what im going to do.

Im going to have shafts made. 8.8 axle shafts are the same diameter as D44 shafts, so all I have to do is have the shafts made with 31 splines instead of 30.

Ill only have to have the inners made, I already have the outers.
 
sweet this is gonna be way cool.

keep the pics coming

any idea on the cost of resplining?
 
Not sure yet, ill have to check....



Here is some more progress:

Got the length cut today, the C's are just sitting in there for show right now.

MVC-798F.jpg

MVC-799F.jpg


Looks like I need to start gutting the TTB stuff out now.
 

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