Retubing an axle?

[Ryannn]

I am going to have my 78/79 Dana 44 Retubed to remove the cast wedges is this a good time to have it shortened? If so is the early bronco 60" wms from what I have read? and that I just need to have the passenger side shortend 6"s?

Thanks Ryan

 

[RangerSVT]

Yes, it can be done that way, but the cast wedges will work just fine. Retubing an axle is not easy, or cheap if a shop is doing it...

SVT

 

[Ryannn]

Yes, it can be done that way, but the cast wedges will work just fine. Retubing an axle is not easy, or cheap if a shop is doing it...

SVT

How would the cast wedges work if I was to cut the axle down to 60 wms?

 

[RangerSVT]

Narrowing a 44 is the same process whether its got cast or weld wedges. When you remove the tube on cast axles, the tube only goes in a couples inches on the wedge side of the cast. Cut the tube off, then using a sawzall cut the tube in the wedge casting into two halves and remove them. Pit the wedge casting in a grille for about an hour at 400*, then slide it on the axle taking note to have the correct angle, weld it up and your set...

SVT

 

[Ryannn]

Narrowing a 44 is the same process whether its got cast or weld wedges. When you remove the tube on cast axles, the tube only goes in a couples inches on the wedge side of the cast. Cut the tube off, then using a sawzall cut the tube in the wedge casting into two halves and remove them. Pit the wedge casting in a grille for about an hour at 400*, then slide it on the axle taking note to have the correct angle, weld it up and your set...

SVT

and it will be just like an EB Dana 44 even though it is cast?

 

[Ryannn]

I answered my own question by finding some pictures! Awesome!

 

[legoms013]

and it will be just like an EB Dana 44 even though it is cast?

Yes.

Read through my build thread ( commuter Mazda) and I see that I did essentially that. I cut the cast of, then cut the tube out of the cast portion, then cut the tube at the axle side off (totaling 6") removed and then pressed the wedgie back on with 1" all thread and a impact gun (while making sure the castor matched the other side). Now I have early bronco width high pinion half ton front Dana 44...

No need to retube...

 

[RangerSVT]

The driver side is slightly longer on the full width, like 1/16" or so, but other than that, you will essentially have an EB 44. Fyi, if you get axle shafts, make sure you tell them you have a fw driver side, and an EB passenger side. Bronco graveyard has em pretty cheap...

SVT

 

[Ryannn]

Awesome!!! Thanks guys!!!