Dana 44 closed nuckle
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Dana 44 closed nuckle
I have a closed nuckle dana 44front axle with drum brakes. I have almost got the disk brakes figured out and it is time to start putting this thing back together. My 94' Ranger had a TTB 44 in front with 456 gears. Can I swap these gears, can I swap the carrier with the gears, or just the gears themselves using the old carrier. The newer 44 diff has more splines, but I don't know how many. If I can use the new 44 with 456 gears I would need new axles (inner at least) right? I am getting new locking hubs anyway, but I need to know what I am going to do here, so I know what to get. What should I look for in an axle shaft, who (if anybody) makes upgraded axles for this housing? I have access to a machine shop can I make my own (useing my old axles as a template)? If so what material should I use, 4130 molly, cold rolled mild steel, stainless? I will have Dick Cepek 18.5 x 44 x 15 tires with only about 300 HP. All input is apreciated.
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From: Southern Oregon USA
Dana 44 closed nuckle
The later 44 front ends have 30 spline axles. I believe the closed knuckles had 19 splines. You will have to match the carrier to whatever axle spline you have. You definetely want to stay with 30 spline or better though.
With 44" tires on a planned trail rig, I would start looking for a Dana 60. That front end is not going to last long, even with only 300 hp. I run 35's with HD alloy 44 axles in my Bronco (stock fuel inject. 5.0), and I still manage to break one at least once every other trip.
Jason
With 44" tires on a planned trail rig, I would start looking for a Dana 60. That front end is not going to last long, even with only 300 hp. I run 35's with HD alloy 44 axles in my Bronco (stock fuel inject. 5.0), and I still manage to break one at least once every other trip.
Jason
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From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Dana 44 closed nuckle
i'd have to second that...if your going to spend that much money why not right away go to the 60...or at least go to a more modern open nuckle 44 out of like a mid 70's truck.
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Dana 44 closed nuckle
I want to keep the closed nuckles, and I don't know of any modern aplications, with closed nuckles. I plan on 2 1/2 ton rockwell military axles in the future, with Michelin XZL 1600 R 20, and military rims with internal beadlocks. Sounds good if I can ever get to that point. That is why I don't want to spend $1,200 or more on a temporary axle. When I do swap up to military stuff on this rig I have plans for the 44 closed nuckle on a 66' Scout, that will probably run 33's or 35's. This axle is out of a 73' F-250 I believe? Does anyone like closed nuckles anymore? Why not? I have a friend with a dana 70 closed nuckle axle. But it's sitting on the floor collecting dust.
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From: Southern Oregon USA
Dana 44 closed nuckle
Theres a reason that not many are running closed knuckle front ends any more. While the factory offerings were sufficient for a stock truck, upgrades such as tires and horsepower stretch their strength limits. And there isn't much in the way of aftermarket support for HD parts for the closed knuckles, especially the 44.
And even used parts are getting hard to come by.
Just because it is cheap at the moment, doesn't mean that it is the best deal. It's your money. But, IMO, it is foolish to put money into something that you don't plan on keeping, and that is marginal for the application your using it in.
If you look around for the hidden deals, you can win big. I saw a 79 Dana 60 on Ebay a while back that went for under $600. If I would have been quicker on the draw, I would have picked it up for my Bronco.
Jason
And even used parts are getting hard to come by.
Just because it is cheap at the moment, doesn't mean that it is the best deal. It's your money. But, IMO, it is foolish to put money into something that you don't plan on keeping, and that is marginal for the application your using it in.
If you look around for the hidden deals, you can win big. I saw a 79 Dana 60 on Ebay a while back that went for under $600. If I would have been quicker on the draw, I would have picked it up for my Bronco.
Jason
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Dana 44 closed nuckle
Thanks for the input, I think I'll run it the way it is now, until it breaks. Until that happens I'll keep looking for a 60. What do you know, think about militay 2 1/2 ton rockwells? Looking at USA 6x6 it looks like I can get started for a few hundred dollars more than a what a 60 would cost a I wouldn't have to wory about breaking axles at all.
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From: Kent, WA
Dana 44 closed nuckle
Just don't forget that Rockwells come with like a 6.71 gear ratio. You'd have a max speed of like 50 mph
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Dana 44 closed nuckle
I've been looking at the Michelin ZXL 1600 R 20 military surplus tires that measure 52" tall for only $150 - $250 ea.. New info on my dana 44 I have 30 spline inners with 19 spline outers. Is that normal for a 73' or has someone upgraded these. Another thing is that my axle shaves are the same thickness at the heads as my 24 spline dana 60, thicker than my 94' spicer 44 TTB. What's up with that? Is that because it is a "heavy duty" axle?
