Axle Strength Quick Question

[zukirider21]

A little farther on down the road, I'm planning on doing a solid axle swap in my ranger.

Plans are as follows:

Early Bronco Dana 44 converted to disc brake.
Coil Sprung
Going to run 36-38" tires
Mini Spool
Warn manual locking hubs
Yukon hardcore shafts
(only if they are worth it) CTM u-joints in the knuckles

will it hold up? i'm not doing extreme rockcrawling or racing, but it will be driven daily and will probably see some fairly intense trails. i know how to take it easy on parts while driving but is this just a death wish? it needs to be SERIOUSLY reliable. i figure since it's a pretty light truck i might be able to get away with it. although once my winch bumper is on, with all my crap in the bed, it might actually be pretty heavy lol.

i may be putting considerable power thru it, but only at appropriate times

 

[88_Eddie]

it should be plenty strong, until something breaks

 

[LIMA BEAN]

it should be plenty strong, until something breaks

 

[Bennybooster]

I wouldn't spool it, mebbe a detroit

 

[wahlstrom1]

Did mud/snow and trail running for 2.5 years, no issues on 35/37's...

Tried rock crawling..... destroyed pretty much everything under the front end.....

If you are spending the cash for CTM's and chromoly..... buy a D60.


Been there, doin that.....

 

[Surrey]

Although the standard choice for a solid axle, the D44 is, in a way, weaker than the D35... One of the shafts is smaller diameter on the d44, I dont remember which, but I read something about it in the tech section the other day....

 

[RangerSVT]

The stock 260 U-joint shafts are smaller and weaker than the 35, but a very common and almost standard upgrade is to go with the 760 U-joint shafts in the 44, for EB width axles, broncograveyard has a complete 6 piece set ( 4 shafts and 2 spicer U-joints) for just under $300. They are hardened shafts and come with a lifetime warranty. But as wahlstrom said, go 60. I was planning a HD 44 build, but decided after everyone's advice and everyone else's $$, I'm going 60 first and not wasting money or time
SVT

 

[zukirider21]

how much do you guys think it would cost to have a 60 narrowed to EB width? can I get a 60 with the "c bushing" radius arm setup used on 70's fords? would I need custom shafts?

 

[RangerSVT]

Your thinking in the direction I'm going in...Yeah you will need custom length shafts, available from moser. When my income tax comes in I'm getting a 60, narrowing it, and building a custom rear axle to match...
SVT

 

[cammeddrz]

spooling it is a very bad idea, if you like turning, and getting out of ruts. 36"-38" with a spool would have a turning radius of a football field or so

 

[59bisquik]

Tried rock crawling..... destroyed pretty much everything under the front end.....

Oh come on Andrew....I run a similar setup and didnt break anything!

Skip the spool and go for a Lockrite or Detroit!!

 

[IRKillroy]

I'd say go High Pinion so you get a bit more ground clearance.... you can go HP on the front end can't you???

 

[59bisquik]

you can go HP on the front end can't you???

Mine is a 79 full width D44 and is a high pinion.

 

[RangerSVT]

Yes, they make HP 60's, but a 60 front in itself ain't cheap either. Cheapest one I have seen is about $800 around me...
SVT

 

[zukirider21]

what about the radius arms? do they make 60's that use the ford c bushing style arms?