Dana 44 front swap

spcmac249 · 08-04-2009, 08:12 AM

I wnat to up grade my front axle to a dana44

. Can anyone let me know what would be a good donor vehicle to get one out of. I would like it to be a pass side drop to keep from flipping my dana20 tc.

**PavementPounder** · 08-04-2009, 08:41 AM

Really need to know what kind of width you want to target first. FSJ or Chevy D44's are generally the most popular and are available in a variety of widths that run from 61"-up. (To put things in perspective, XJ/YJ/TJ axles are about 60".) Scout D44's will require the most work and represent the least bang for the buck from both a hardware and geometry perspective.

spcmac249 · 08-04-2009, 01:07 PM

I want to keep the width fairly close to that of the dana 30. I believe that it is 51.5" wms to wms. By fairly close I was thinking maybe 53" from wms to wms.

**CJ51973** · 08-04-2009, 01:13 PM

I narrowed a waggy front about 3"-4" and ran 2" spacers on the back. I lined it up where the spring perch on the pumkin was lined up with the spring and cut the long side down to match.

**kickingprop** · 08-04-2009, 01:24 PM

unless you spend the $$ to get custom axle shafts made you will be hard pressed to narrow a full width D44 that much... I think even the NT FSJ's were a few inches more than what you are wanting...

**BillyPilgrim** · 08-04-2009, 01:25 PM

I would look for a wide track rear end if you are going that route, otherwise you will be quite a bit wider in the front, and a lot of spacing is no bueno.

**PavementPounder** · 08-04-2009, 02:06 PM

Yeah, no such thing as a D44 that narrow. You'll have to build it. Select your donor based on sufficient tube on the short side in order to keep the passenger leaf on the tube and not on the housing, but also with a short enough long side to position the pinion where the driveshaft won't hit the oil pan. Then you will only need to shorten the long side and add the perch.

CSP · 08-04-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickingprop

I think even the NT FSJ's were a few inches more than what you are wanting...

They are about 10" wider than NT CJ.

CSP · 08-04-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickingprop

I think even the NT FSJ's were a few inches more than what you are wanting...

Try about 10" wider than NT CJ.

I was going to take this route about 10 years ago. I had some money tied up in a CJ NT rear D44 and wanted a front D44 to match. With a bare Waggy housing and all of the cutting figured out, it didn't leave much room for spring perches, shock mounts, etc. It was easier to go wider front and rear than to narrow the front to CJ NT specs or thereabouts.

paraman72 · 08-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

Really need to know what kind of width you want to target first. FSJ or Chevy D44's are generally the most popular and are available in a variety of widths that run from 61"-up. (To put things in perspective, XJ/YJ/TJ axles are about 60".) Scout D44's will require the most work and represent the least bang for the buck from both a hardware and geometry perspective.

It was my understanding that Dana 44 from a scout was almost a direct bolt in, with changing spring perches. They are about 59" from WMS to WMS, that gives 3 inches wider than wide tracs. Please fill me in...

**BillyPilgrim** · 08-04-2009, 08:23 PM

that gives almost 5 inches wider than wide tracks, which are 4 inches wider than NT. If you want to keep it stock you will have to move your spring perches outside of your frame rails, or cut the short side about 4 inches, get a new axle shaft or cut and re-spline the current one and it will be very close to WT. One good thing I will say about scout axles is they are still native bolt pattern to jeeps, I would go with a mid 70's NT waggy axle and cut it if I were you.

No_Bs · 08-04-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paraman72

It was my understanding that Dana 44 from a scout was almost a direct bolt in, with changing spring perches. They are about 59" from WMS to WMS, that gives 3 inches wider than wide tracs. Please fill me in...

No, outboarding is a must and they are more like 61" WMS. The biggest problem with any 44 swap is figuring out your steering system.

John N · 08-04-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No_Bs

....................The biggest problem with any 44 swap is figuring out your steering system.

That's the truth!! Took me a lot of trial and error and $$$ to get it right.

**PavementPounder** · 08-04-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No_Bs

No, outboarding is a must and they are more like 61" WMS. The biggest problem with any 44 swap is figuring out your steering system.

Scouts are not that wide. FSJ NT's (Wagoneer) are 61". You are correct that outboarding is required, as well as other custom work on the Scout axles (knuckle yoke rotation).

rustymudder · 08-05-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paraman72

It was my understanding that Dana 44 from a scout was almost a direct bolt in

The simple fact is that there is no dana 44 front axle that is a bolt in swap for a CJ. Not counting custom axles

The best option is to cut down the long side of a waggy Dana 44 and it'll be roughly the width of a widetrack CJ7 axle.

08-04-2009, 08:41 AM	#2
PavementPounder Cool as Ice... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Posts: 2,727 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Really need to know what kind of width you want to target first. FSJ or Chevy D44's are generally the most popular and are available in a variety of widths that run from 61"-up. (To put things in perspective, XJ/YJ/TJ axles are about 60".) Scout D44's will require the most work and represent the least bang for the buck from both a hardware and geometry perspective. __________________ This is how NAXJA Midwest Chapter elected officials like to treat their resident users and former multi-year supporters. <--- Click "Classifieds" under my avatar to see all my parts (mostly CJ & XJ) currently for sale on JeepForum!

08-04-2009, 02:06 PM	#7
PavementPounder Cool as Ice... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Posts: 2,727 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Yeah, no such thing as a D44 that narrow. You'll have to build it. Select your donor based on sufficient tube on the short side in order to keep the passenger leaf on the tube and not on the housing, but also with a short enough long side to position the pinion where the driveshaft won't hit the oil pan. Then you will only need to shorten the long side and add the perch. __________________ This is how NAXJA Midwest Chapter elected officials like to treat their resident users and former multi-year supporters. <--- Click "Classifieds" under my avatar to see all my parts (mostly CJ & XJ) currently for sale on JeepForum!