Putting a spool/welding my front diff? D44

[ErrorS]

I have a question, what reason is there to NOT do this? I couldn't afford a selectible locker for my rear at the moment and didn't want a spool, the truck needs to be somewhat drivable on-road.

But what negatives are there with spooling/welding the front? I'll only ever use 4wd offroad so it shouldn't be an issue. Is it hard to do? Can the D44 not handle it? what's the downsides to it? I'm about the change the front seals and i'm going to have my diff out anyways.

I hope I'm not being an idiot, I'm just now digging into the frontend of my truck for the first time.

[captain p4]

what size tires you runnin? expect carnage probably with 35s, definitely with anything over that. There is the option of leaving one side unlocked though for turning.. but crawling through mud or whatever to lock it in when you're stuck won't be very fun

[ErrorS]

Will turning be really bad even offroad? not that steering is easy in 4WD anyways but I can't have it useless.

I have 31s at the moment but I'm keeping an eye out for a good deal on 33s. if I can ever afford to run 35s my truck will be properly set up all the way around, selectable in front/rear, lower gearing, etc.

[RawPower]

Steering won't be horrible, but will be worse.

Just weld it & run it and when you break it, get a D60.

[fishmanndotcom]

Originally Posted by RawPower

Steering won't be horrible, but will be worse.

Just weld it & run it and when you break it, get a D60.

YUP! agreed

-cutts-

[quadzjr]

dont do it.....turns like chit, will increase you chance for shaft breakage......

id recommend a cheap LS b4 welding it..........

[Ryan50hrl]

X2 on the Limited slip....much better

[chrono4]

Everyone has thier own views on spooling a 44. If you never plan on getting big tires or alot of power, and don't mind not being able to turn the best, then do it. But then again, a ls or cheap locker isn't really that much for a 44, and I think you would like it alot more, and you would be able to turn and have less breakage.

[ErrorS]

I can't even find a D44 LS, eBay is just about useless anymore..

I think I've asked this before but can I use the same locker/LS from a rear D44 in my front? I'd imagine it's a bit iffy, D44 has been in so many vehicles over so many years with a lot of variations.

I knew people said it was a weak link in these trucks when shooting for power/big tires, but are they really so bad they can't handle a spool in some mud or over some rocks? It's not like I'll be spinning them at 80MPH down the highway. You know, I should be straight.. the tires on my truck now are street tires, I have some low tread (less than half) MTs I'm going to put on but I'm not going to have great traction anyways. If and when I ever upgrade my tires I'll go with a selectible (or LS) in the front, regearing and a selectible in the rear.

I'm going to keep an eye out for a LS but I wouldn't even begin to know where to find a used one.. of course, if front/rear are the same I should have no issue finding one from some Jeep guy

[fishmanndotcom]

seriously, i think you'll be fine! i think sometimes we get so caught up in overkill we tend to overlook what a Dana 44 can actually do. I beat the hell outta my D50 front ttb with a 460, 35, and a very heavy foot and did not have the first issue! i say go ahead and lock it for now but be in the market for a D60. just run it till it breaks!

-cutts-

[MBBFord]

I don't think there'd be a problem either.

Lock one hub and your good to turn all you want. When you know there's going to be something bad/challenging then lock the other hub.
Since you'd probably only be running 33s, I'd say go for it.

But, a good limited slip would work a little better and it wouldn't be as stressful, but then you'd have to reset your gears over just welding the spiders.

x3 on a D60 after/if you break the D44

[Ford150/428/dud]

You should be fine you may or may not have any problems, just dont get supprised when you break something.

[quadzjr]

the point is to build a rig not to break, why use something to greatly increase the chance to break your shafts.......unless you already plan to put a d60 it make absolutely zero sense to build the d44 when you will enevitably(sp?) be upgrading to a d60 anyways......

if you plan on keeping the d44, DO NOT weld it, a locker would be the max but a good LS is just fine......

i put a auburn L.S. in a d44 for a buddy of mine and his has worked out great.....542082 - Auburn Gear - Auburn Pro Series Limited Slip For 1971 & Up 30 Spline Dana 44 w/o C Clips | Tellico 4x4

[MBBFord]

What's to build...? Weld the spider gears and you're done.

[quadzjr]

he'll be building it when he shatters some axles.....

if you dont mind breaking a few axles here and there, then go for it......IMO, that would suck, that combined with the chit azz turning off road, that would suck.........