9" Swap

[chazzone]

Who's done one? I tried searching, but coming up with zip. I've got a build going on an 89, and I'd like to do the D44 upgrade to the D35, which means I'll have 5-51/2 hubs. Gonna have to match it out back. Other ideas?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Check out this thread...

He has a 9 inch. Really nice Bronco II.

86 B2 Swapeverydamthing! | The Ranger Station

 

[superj]

jeep dana44 on grand cherokee, cherokee, comanche, and 87-2006 wrangler are 5x4.5 bolt pattern so you could use one of those also and keep your wheels

 

[superj]

sorry, you are doing the front. i think only certain wranglers came with d44 front ends and those were the larger bolt pattern. maybe the old grand cherokee and grand wagoneers from the 70s and early 80s too

 

[Snoranger]

Unless you’re planning on building the 9” up some, a stock 31 spline 8.8 is stronger than stock 28 spline 9”. In that case you’d be better off throwing an Explorer disc brake 8.8 in there and using wheel adapters.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

F-150s had an 8.8 with 5x5.5”, bad thing is you end up with full width unless you cut things down

 

[chazzone]

sorry, you are doing the front. i think only certain wranglers came with d44 front ends and those were the larger bolt pattern. maybe the old grand cherokee and grand wagoneers from the 70s and early 80s too

I'm doing the D44 upgrade to the front. That's why I'd need the 5-5 1/2 for the rear.

 

[chazzone]

Unless you’re planning on building the 9” up some, a stock 31 spline 8.8 is stronger than stock 28 spline 9”. In that case you’d be better off throwing an Explorer disc brake 8.8 in there and using wheel adapters.

Not at all into doing wheel adapters. I'd definitely upgrade the 9" if I go that way.

 

[chazzone]

F-150s had an 8.8 with 5x5.5”, bad thing is you end up with full width unless you cut things down

I didn't think of that before hand, but the idea came to me while I was at work today. I definitely wouldn't mind looking into custom shafts for the 8.8.

 

[chazzone]

Check out this thread...

He has a 9 inch. Really nice Bronco II.

86 B2 Swapeverydamthing! | The Ranger Station

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[bobbywalter]

What methodology are you using for the front?

Full d44 ttb?

Or hybrid 35?

Full knuckle will add more width over simple spindle.....though both add...

An f series rear is close with full knuckle....or the Montero and other Isuzu d44 rear.

Or use an explorer rear with large flange and screw in studs....

Or custom shafts.


Nothing wrong with quality adapters... Quality.


Finding useable 9 in that is cheap...
Good luck.

 

[Astro_fusion]

If you put an 8.8 in Moser engineering will make you axles with 5 on 5.5 lug pattern if you call and ask. Currie sells the correct rotors if you don't want to re drill or source your own.

 

[chazzone]

What methodology are you using for the front?

Full d44 ttb?

Or hybrid 35?

Full knuckle will add more width over simple spindle.....though both add...

An f series rear is close with full knuckle....or the Montero and other Isuzu d44 rear.

Or use an explorer rear with large flange and screw in studs....

Or custom shafts.


Nothing wrong with quality adapters... Quality.


Finding useable 9 in that is cheap...
Good luck.

I've long ago given up on the idea of "cheap" for this build. Although I don't have unlimited funds, I'm willing to spend some money on it. I need this to be dead reliable, and Id rather not have to spend a lot of time wrenching on it after I get it where I want it to be. (other than maintenance, of course) I'm an industrial field service tech, and I get all the wrenching that I want, and when I retire I'll only do what I want.

I'll do the hybrid D35, since that's what I have, and it's allegedly stronger than the D44. I didn't think about the added width. It's never been mentioned in the write ups, that I remember. Maybe an inch per side...?

I haven't looked at the actual width of the D44, but I'm sure it'll be less.

I like the smaller footprint, so I'm going to try to stay away from full size axles.

Looked at Moser last night before bed. Looks like they have everything I need on this. Since they're not too far away, I might just take it up there and let them put in a locker, new axles, and press in bearing conversion. I'm sure it wont be cheap, but cheaper than a new custom 9".

The 8.8 I have is a drum brake axle, so I'll probably look at a disc set up as well.

Thanks everyone for the input.

-zz

 

[bobbywalter]

Cheap and easy is possible. Depends on the window your starting with and goal.



Stronger?

No way is the hybrid stronger then a ttb 44. 27 spline vs 30 with proper undercut ... And the piglet is iron....some even come with a drain.

And it has better clearance and this attribute can be seen as weaker when unsupported.

It's a hell of a lot better then a normal 35 if you are high load for sure...the bearing spacing is much better then the 35 for heavy tires and jumping and a bit better brakes to boot.

So....5 bolt spindle swap or full knuckle?

Depending on how the brakes are addressed, one can be higher maintenance and the Steering Axis Inclination is a bit different.


Starting with a disk brake explorer axle is key for costs.

 

[chazzone]

Cheap and easy is possible. Depends on the window your starting with and goal.



Stronger?

No way is the hybrid stronger then a ttb 44. 27 spline vs 30 with proper undercut ... And the piglet is iron....some even come with a drain.

And it has better clearance and this attribute can be seen as weaker when unsupported.

It's a hell of a lot better then a normal 35 if you are high load for sure...the bearing spacing is much better then the 35 for heavy tires and jumping and a bit better brakes to boot.

So....5 bolt spindle swap or full knuckle?

Depending on how the brakes are addressed, one can be higher maintenance and the Steering Axis Inclination is a bit different.


Starting with a disk brake explorer axle is key for costs.

Dana 44 Knuckle Swap On To Dana 35 - The Ranger Station

Written By Todd (Forum Member) Part numbers for upper and lower Dana 44 ball joints. Also a set of off set 44 alignment cams are needed. First the proper ream must be obtained to re taper the lower ball … Continued

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