[UbelGeist]

I have a D44 out of a early chevy truck. It is a 6 bolt pattern. I have a 97 Explorer axle for the rear end which is a 5x4.5. I would like to have the same bolt pattern when I finish modifing the axles. Has any one modified a D44 to a different bolt pattern? When you weld everything back on the axle after you are finished cutting them down, do you put a different caliper setup on? I would like to make the front into a 5x4.5 to match the back, but I will take any suggestions.

[JoonHoss]

I know they make adaptors/spacers, but not sure of that configuration. also, the drums can usually be redrilled~ however, not sure if a 5x4.5 will allow a fullsize hub to fit through?

Hoss

[kickingprop]

you can get adapters to make the 8.8 axle 5x5.5 bolt pattern and then run the small bearing spindles with ford rotors and hubs to get 5x5.5 on the chevy axle.

This is the exact setup I'm going to be going to when I do my axle swap (still need to find an 8.8 with discs and 4.10's though)

[CSP]

Originally Posted by UbelGeist

I would like to make the front into a 5x4.5 to match the back, but I will take any suggestions.

No can do. The 5x4.5 bolt pattern is too small a diameter to use with the center hub on the D44.

Change it to 5 on 5.5 and use adapters for the rear axle or have the rear pattern re-drilled.

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by kickingprop

you can get adapters to make the 8.8 axle 5x5.5 bolt pattern and then run the small bearing spindles with ford rotors and hubs to get 5x5.5 on the chevy axle.

That route will be the least amount of headaches to get to the same bolt pattern. The only other issue I see with this is that the Chevy D44 will be significantly wider than the 8.8 rear. If you don't want to cut down the Chevy axle (or can't), you may want to consider selling the Exploder 8.8 off to a XJ/YJ/ZJ/TJ owner here on JF (or Kickingprop if its 4.10) and go pick up an 8.8 out of a full-size Ford pickup with a 5x5.5" bolt pattern. This would be a better width match for the front, and also eliminate the spacers in the rear.

[CSP]

Good point on the width. You'll have about 8" of width difference with that combo.

[UbelGeist]

I am am cutting down both axles to CJ wide track axle widths. I was hoping to find a solution for when I welding everything back on. I was going to order axle shafts after I was finished modifing the axles. I would like to keep the rear bolt pattern so I can keep the rear disc brake setup basically stock.

[kickingprop]

so riddle me this then... Could I take the axle shafts from an F150 8.8 and cut them down to explorer width and have them re-splined and have 5x5.5 bolt pattern? I guess this really matters in the brakes department as I am wanting discs...did the 8.8 in F150s come with rear discs?

[UbelGeist]

That is why I want with the explorer axle and I would like to keep the 5x4.5

[CSP]

Since you're looking at custom length axleshafts Dutchmen can convert them to 5 on 5.5". I would think that other companies that do that sort of work could do the same thing.

[JoonHoss]

Originally Posted by UbelGeist

... I would like to keep the rear bolt pattern so I can keep the rear disc brake setup basically stock.

as stated, I don't think you can't run a full-size front hub with that small of a bolt pattern.

Jeep went to the 5x4.5 pattern when they went from lockable front hubs to vacuum disconnects.

Hoss

[kickingprop]

who is Dutchman? I'm more concerned with not having to do major modification to the 8.8 as far as the disc brakes are concerned...I'd like to be 5x5.5 without adapters if possible but I'll use an adapter before I go with some crazy braking setup

[JoonHoss]

Originally Posted by kickingprop

who is Dutchman?

http://www.dutchmanms.com/



Hoss

[SlikRic]

The 5 x 4.5 will not fit over the locking hub, ask me how I know

[kickingprop]

Doh!...yeah I guess I could have just googled it...

I thought it was another user or something that did machine work