[Marine_Mike]

Hey guys.. it's been a while since I've been on here. I've been floating around the local forums lately. Here's the deal, right now I'm running with an 8.8 4.56 detroit locked rear and a D30 4.56 lockrite front. The bearings in my D30 are going (no surprise...I run 35x12.5 bajas) I opted to just replace my front with a combination 77 f250 44/79 f150 44/early bronco 44. I figure the bearings would go on my 30 again eventually. I have someone interested in both the front and the rear.
* Should I find a D60 rear and go with the 5.5 BP full width?
* Should I narrow the front and use an adapter to convert it from 5.5 to 4.5 BP? (and keep the rear)
* Should I convert the rear to a 5.5 BP with spacers, to match the full width front? (not exactly my favorite option)
* What do you think the value of the front and rear are?

Keep in mind, I work most of the year in Iraq, but when I do wheel, I wheel hard. It is also used as an occasional driver by my wife, when I am gone. It has to be streetable. The front and rear were built well, and from what the PO told me... he put $600 into the D30 alone. I'm asking you guys this... and not someone on the local forums... because I figure there is no real personal interest in buying them from anyone here. Thanks guys.

[Marine_Mike]

I know it's late... but there's got to be someone that can throw something out there.

[fratis]

i dont see anything wrong with a 44/8.8 combination. for 35s nothing wrong with the 8.8. i would, however, do the superior 8.8 kit with the 5 on 5.5 pattern. you wont be able to adapt the front 5 on 5.5 to 5 on 4.5 as the 44 hubs are too large. id then do a ford dana 44 narrowed to 62-64" wms-wms. the most common mistake for first-time axle builders/orderers is to get them stock width. a little extra makes for a little more stability with the larger tires. seeing as you are away allot, i would go for a drop-in prebuilt front axle. youll pay more up-front but well worth it in your situation. otherwise youll come home to things like accidentally sent dana 60 stoneguards instead of 44s, hi-steer studs that are too short, wrong saft lengths, and all the other little hurdles that go along with learning and ordering online. or you could come home ready to bolt a new unit in. if you have a family then definitely do this. all youll need is a day or two.

[boggerjeep]

find a d-44 from a wagoneer and it will be right width and then put ford knucks on and re drill back axles to match

[JeeperDon]

Originally Posted by Marine_Mike

The bearings in my D30 are going (no surprise...I run 35x12.5 bajas)

I don't think 'no surprise' is true. Zillions of guys run 35's on a D30 and bearings don't fall off. Are you talking hubs, carrier bearings, or pinion bearings. If hubs, it's likely your backspacing and wheel size (your profile doesn't say what width wheels). If you don't hang out the tread center way out there, nothing should fail prematurely. YJ hubs are not crap and hold up well, especially considering their zero maintenance. I would better suspect you are just using the D30 as an excuse for your next project (idle hands).

[Marine_Mike]

Originally Posted by JeeperDon

I don't think 'no surprise' is true. Zillions of guys run 35's on a D30 and bearings don't fall off. Are you talking hubs, carrier bearings, or pinion bearings. If hubs, it's likely your backspacing and wheel size (your profile doesn't say what width wheels). If you don't hang out the tread center way out there, nothing should fail prematurely. YJ hubs are not crap and hold up well, especially considering their zero maintenance. I would better suspect you are just using the D30 as an excuse for your next project (idle hands).

Wheels are 15x10 steelies with 4" BS. There' a little play top to bottom on the front driver's wheel when jacked up, and allot of play on the front passenger wheel. (which is coincidentally the side I rolled it onto on the trails.) I am picking up a 79 f150 d44 and a 77 f250 d44 for $175 total. Money is an option here. I know the super 88 package is awesome... but kinda out if my immediate range, as is a custom built front. Like I said, I'm in Iraq for 3 months, and a friend of mine whose a master welder and rig builder is going to set up the front for me. I'm really trying to take it slow and not go nuts on this (not very easy).