'79 GM Dana 44 Narrowing

Chrome Chicken · 08-16-2009, 09:09 AM

Hey all-

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm building a monster, my '53 Willys Pickup. I've picked up a Chevy 12-bolt rear and d44 front for a very cheap price, complete with a very nice set of rims.

I don't want to run my 44 full width since the Willys body and frame narrows at the front to about a 29" frame width.

I have a pretty good handle on the actual narrowing of axle tubes, it's the axleshaft itself that I was wondering about resplining or another way about it.

Any help?

Joe in Norwalk, IA

**paulzwieg** · 08-16-2009, 12:09 PM

Moser charges $110/Pr to shorten and respline. Or try to narrow you axle to an OEM width so you can just buy stock shafts. I know easier said than done.

Chrome Chicken · 08-16-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzwieg

Moser charges $110/Pr to shorten and respline. Or try to narrow you axle to an OEM width so you can just buy stock shafts. I know easier said than done.

Good call on the narrowing to stock idea, then replacements would be off the shelf. Something else to look into now.

MorningWood · 08-16-2009, 03:24 PM

Or you can use a narrow track wagooneer front. It is 6 lug and uses the GM brakes and it is pass drop. saves alot of work and they are cheap.

**paulzwieg** · 08-16-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorningWood

Or you can use a narrow track wagooneer front. It is 6 lug and uses the GM brakes and it is pass drop. saves alot of work and they are cheap.

I was going to suggest that but figured he already had the chevy axle. Do some searching on the web for axle shaft lenghts. Warn use to have several listed on there website it gave the model vehicle and the lenght of the shaft. Or check Dana's website. It's a pain to get through it but has alot of info. A guy I work with always checks that site for me. I have problems getting to the info I need.

Chrome Chicken · 08-17-2009, 10:03 AM

I wondered about that. I have a line on a waggy around here. We're talking later model downsize Cherokee Wagoneer, right? Can you refresh my memory on the years for those?

**kickingprop** · 08-17-2009, 10:21 AM

are you planning on using that 12 bolt on the willys as well? I sure hope not...

What final width are you wanting that front Chevy 44 to be?

**paulzwieg** · 08-17-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Chicken

I wondered about that. I have a line on a waggy around here. We're talking later model downsize Cherokee Wagoneer, right? Can you refresh my memory on the years for those?

Full size up to 1979 had the passenger side drop. They came in two widths. I can't remember both sizes at the top of my head but the wide track had factory fender flares and the narrow track had no flares. Came in the old J trucks as well.

ksheffer08 · 08-20-2009, 07:05 PM

69" wide, 31.5" perches- stock Chevy 8-lug
68.75" wide, 31.5" perches- Chevy axle with Ford 5-lug outers
67.5" wide, 31.5" spring perch centers- stock Chevy 6-lug

Lifesgoodhere · 08-20-2009, 10:26 PM

yeah I would narrow to a width that you could get shafts for, saves lots of money by not needing custom ones made.

Where you measuring the 29" frame? inside frame rail-inside frame rail, at the bumpstops?

08-17-2009, 10:03 AM	#6
Chrome Chicken Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norwalk, IA Posts: 3 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I wondered about that. I have a line on a waggy around here. We're talking later model downsize Cherokee Wagoneer, right? Can you refresh my memory on the years for those?