I don't think a spool would work too well in the front on road
New some advice re: axles and upgrading to 35s
Ok, so here's the situation. Currently, all my Jeep has is 2.5" OME springs and Skyjacker Hydro Shocks. I'm running 245/75/16s for the time being with 4.10 gears on open Dana 30/35 axles. I have the 4.0L with a 5-speed AX-15.
A friend of mine is very active in four wheel driving. He has his own shop in his house (with a pit, lift, all the tools, etc). He is a very skilled fabricator and mechanic.
He has a set of axles he has offered to give me for me free. They are a front Dana 44 with a spool and hubs and a rear Ford 9-Inch with a detroit locker. They both have 4.88 gears in them. They are not set up for a TJ right now, but he could easily weld on the proper brackets.
As I said, he has offered to give them to me for free and would weld the brackets for free. I'd have to buy the brackets.
I'm wondering if I should do this. I'd wait a little while so I could save up the money to put on 35 inch tires with the 4.88 gears. I'd clearly have to do some kind of tube fenders or a high-line kit. I know I'd also need to at least upgrade my drag link and tie rod as well to run 35s offroad at all.
My jeep is my daily driver. Would having these axles be a terrible idea? They are FREE and my cheap self can't help but like that idea, but I don't want to get into a money pit.
What do you all think?
A friend of mine is very active in four wheel driving. He has his own shop in his house (with a pit, lift, all the tools, etc). He is a very skilled fabricator and mechanic.
He has a set of axles he has offered to give me for me free. They are a front Dana 44 with a spool and hubs and a rear Ford 9-Inch with a detroit locker. They both have 4.88 gears in them. They are not set up for a TJ right now, but he could easily weld on the proper brackets.
As I said, he has offered to give them to me for free and would weld the brackets for free. I'd have to buy the brackets.
I'm wondering if I should do this. I'd wait a little while so I could save up the money to put on 35 inch tires with the 4.88 gears. I'd clearly have to do some kind of tube fenders or a high-line kit. I know I'd also need to at least upgrade my drag link and tie rod as well to run 35s offroad at all.
My jeep is my daily driver. Would having these axles be a terrible idea? They are FREE and my cheap self can't help but like that idea, but I don't want to get into a money pit.
What do you all think?
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
It has locking hubs - if I unlocked them, would that not work?
I didnt see that. I think that will be fine then since the front wont be spinning in 2wd but let someone more experienced give you a definite answer.It has locking hubs - if I unlocked them, would that not work?
Gotcha - what about the other considerations?I didnt see that. I think that will be fine then since the front wont be spinning in 2wd but let someone more experienced give you a definite answer.
I'd say take them that way you have good, heavy front and rear axles(compared to the 30&35). Then save some money to get a larger lift to run 35". Also be sure save up to buy the currie heavy duty steering and better brakes. Look at the 4" rough country lift, either the series II or the x-series, good price and not half bad, and don't forget the SYE and CV drive shaft!!!
all you have to do is buy the brackets? that is a total of $450.
steering would be another $400, maybe.
with the hubs unlocked, you WILL NOT notice the spool on the street.
i think that is one helluva deal. DO IT!
even if you had to pay someone to pull the spool out, you would still be money ahead.
steering would be another $400, maybe.
with the hubs unlocked, you WILL NOT notice the spool on the street.
i think that is one helluva deal. DO IT!
even if you had to pay someone to pull the spool out, you would still be money ahead.
the currie steering wont work with the front D44. unless it is TJ width, which i doubt that the axles are. the front should be a high pinion, which is a plus.
the SYE and DC DS can wait, but that should be the next thing you buy.
the SYE and DC DS can wait, but that should be the next thing you buy.
Oh I didn't even think of that, good to know thoughMisfitSeven said:the currie steering wont work with the front D44. unless it is TJ width, which i doubt that the axles are. the front should be a high pinion, which is a plus.
And yes the DS SYE can all wait but at least you'll have good axles for when you're ready
K, there's one in the DO IT category.all you have to do is buy the brackets? that is a total of $450.
steering would be another $400, maybe.
with the hubs unlocked, you WILL NOT notice the spool on the street.
i think that is one helluva deal. DO IT!
even if you had to pay someone to pull the spool out, you would still be money ahead.
If I added 1.25" BL and did some fender trimming, it seems like I could run 35s without too much issue.
So would my stock steering not work with the front Dana 44 then?the currie steering wont work with the front D44. unless it is TJ width, which i doubt that the axles are. the front should be a high pinion, which is a plus.
the SYE and DC DS can wait, but that should be the next thing you buy.
you need to factor in the purchase of new rims with the CJ/ford bolt pattern of 5x5.5". you should still be able to keep 15" and 16" rims.
Currie Enterprises has a rear disc brake kit that uses the Exploder rear disc brake setup, for $500.
Currie Enterprises has a rear disc brake kit that uses the Exploder rear disc brake setup, for $500.
True. I could also get spidertrax adapters. I have a friend that works there and I can get 4.5-5.5 adapters for reaaaally cheap.you need to factor in the purchase of new rims with the CJ/ford bolt pattern of 5x5.5". you should still be able to keep 15" and 16" rims.
Currie Enterprises has a rear disc brake kit that uses the Exploder rear disc brake setup, for $500.
nope. this is your opportunity to upgrade. look into a "one ton steering" setup. here is an example. i dont think you can run crossover, but the inverted T setup is pretty popular.So would my stock steering not work with the front Dana 44 then?
the adapters are going to put you 3" wider than the axles already are. which is awesome, but not for daily street driving. 15x8" Cragars are $40 each. cheap.True. I could also get spidertrax adapters. I have a friend that works there and I can get 4.5-5.5 adapters for reaaaally cheap.
Gotcha - this is kinda what I was afraid of - a bunch of stuff adding up.nope. this is your opportunity to upgrade. look into a "one ton steering" setup. here is an example. i dont think you can run crossover, but the inverted T setup is pretty popular.
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