bolt pattern conversion

[QuakerShaker4242]

hey guys im in this situation. i have a waggy dana 44. its bolt pattern is 6x5.5. i was wondering what i would have to do to make it match the back which is 5x4.5. i havent seen anything and i dont want to use spacers...

i just wanted to do this so i could keep the same wheels i have now.

 

[metalmacguyver]

some 70s dodge D44 front ends had 5*4.5 lug pattern. the bolt pattern issue is one reason that alot of people chose to use early bronco axles or D30s instead of waggy 44s.

 

[c_note]

have a machine shop drill you out a 5 on 4.5 bolt hole circle and put in the new studs and ur set.

 

[metalmacguyver]

i dont think that the d44 hubs will fit through the hole on a 5*4.5 wheel. also grinding them out wont work cause there wont be enough material left near the bolt holes for it to be safe enough to drive.

 

[Toreadorranger]

some 70s dodge D44 front ends had 5*4.5 lug pattern. the bolt pattern issue is one reason that alot of people chose to use early bronco axles or D30s instead of waggy 44s.

EB axles are 5x5.5 not 5x4.5 like a ranger.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Most guys swap to 5x5.5 in the front and then run a spacer/adapter on the rear, otherwise you are pretty much out of luck

 

[4x4junkie]

If you absolutely MUST keep 5x4.5" on a D44, then the Dodge stuff is your only option (or maybe TJ Rubicon stuff might fit, although it's weaker than the Dodge). The Dodges had quite a few issues with the wheelbearings though.

I'd do as suggested above, get new wheels and run adapters on the rear (or redrill the flanges) to match the existing lug pattern on the D44.

 

[dude772]

i dont think that the d44 hubs will fit through the hole on a 5*4.5 wheel. also grinding them out wont work cause there wont be enough material left near the bolt holes for it to be safe enough to drive.

Ive got aftermarket aluminum wheels on my explorer that have a centre hole big enough to fit over the hub of a dana44 and has the 4.5 bolt circle. They also use shank stlye lug nuts. And theres more than enough material there to be safe.

 

[Toreadorranger]

If you absolutely MUST keep 5x4.5" on a D44, then the Dodge stuff is your only option (or maybe TJ Rubicon stuff might fit, although it's weaker than the Dodge). The Dodges had quite a few issues with the wheelbearings though.

I'd do as suggested above, get new wheels and run adapters on the rear (or redrill the flanges) to match the existing lug pattern on the D44.

Rubicon Stuff wont fit as the Rubicon axle is a D44 center section with Dana 30 outers.

 

[4x4junkie]

The knuckles (Cs) are D30 too? Scratch that one then (wasn't sure).

 

[QuakerShaker4242]

ok so its clear that unless i drill that i cant get the front to 5x4.5

so is it possible to get the back to 6x5.5??

 

[metalmacguyver]

redrill if the flanges are large enough, custom axle shafts, or wheel adaptors which i dont recommend because they have been known to break.

 

[Toreadorranger]

ok so its clear that unless i drill that i cant get the front to 5x4.5

so is it possible to get the back to 6x5.5??

New shafts are your best bet. 034x4 (jey) from RF had new shafts made for his 8.8 for this exact reason.

 

[Natedog57]

I also got some shafts made by Dutchman MS, great company to work with. Same as the Ex shafts except the 6x5.5 pattern, also took the rotors to a machineist. Works great.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

why not swap in chevy or yota axles in the rear?

IIRC Taco axles use a 6x5.5 lug pattern
And the semi float 14bolts use a 6x5.5 pattern