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Solid D44

Old Mar 3, 2006 | 01:47 PM
  #1  
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From: Middleton, ID
Solid D44

I know I know I should be getting a D60, give me the axle and okay.

What would it take to make the HP D44 stout enough to handle a set of 35s ?

I'm going to stuff it under my '84 Bronco and it won't be daily driven.

I searched for this and all I found was D44 HDs and TTBs

Thanks,
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 01:51 PM
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i've got a front 60 you can have! (for $1000)

there's a lot of guys in the bronco world running chromoly D44's with 35 spline inners and outters and 35 splne hubs and they run 38's with no problems. you have to take in consideration their somewhat low weight and they aren't invincible but they do hold up.

you should be just fine running 35's with a stock D44HD and then when you do break it THEN upgrade

-cutts-
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 02:57 PM
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My buddy has been running 39.5's on his for a while now and never had any problems. Its open in the front though.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 03:40 PM
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with a stock 44, i would buy some 760 spicer cold forged joints(lilke 20 a peice) and buy some full circle clips...youl have to beat on it pretty hard with a locked front to bust a shaft
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 03:55 PM
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If you want to be safe, get a set of the Warn axleshafts with CTM U joints. I have both and never been able to break anything yet. However those shafts and joints are going to run you about $1200, remember you could get a Dana 60 for that ammount.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 04:01 PM
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if your going to blow the money on chromos, run superiors, they are the only shaft without cut splines...much stronger

i wouldnt bother with more than full clips and spicer joints in stock shaft for just 35's
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 04:06 PM
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lets see stock axles, napa ujoints, and a spool and aint' broke it yet with my wimpy 35" tires on a D44hp, run it till it breaks then decide if it lasted long enough to just put stock stuff back in or if you need to upgrade.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2006 | 07:12 PM
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What about This?

4340 Yukon full axles set and spicer joints, 375 bucks + shipping. That's shafts and joints. Combine that with a set of good lockouts and the D44 should be pretty well buffed. Or are the Yukon's not a good idea?
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 12:04 AM
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Originally Posted by KubotaOrange76
if your going to blow the money on chromos, run superiors, they are the only shaft without cut splines...much stronger

i wouldnt bother with more than full clips and spicer joints in stock shaft for just 35's
The splines themself are stronger, but the axle never strips the splines out. Whenever they break (if not for a U joint failure) its always where the splines meet the shaft. For that reason I prefer the cut splines because the axle shaft itself shaft has a larger diameter than the shafts with the rolled splines.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 12:10 AM
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i'm with monsterbaby... you're running a low weight rig with a fairly small tire(rotational mass wise).. i've been running a 44 with 38.5 inch boggers in a 72 3/4 ton for 6 years and haven't broken anything yet... it may be luck but if was to ever break i'd just slap some more parts in it and run it for another 6 years.. JMO
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 01:47 AM
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I'm thinking the new u-joints and a lock right sound good, along with a new set of steel hubs.

Might have to mess with the ol' 300 after all this.

thanks guys
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by fordraceboy
i'm with monsterbaby... you're running a low weight rig with a fairly small tire(rotational mass wise).. i've been running a 44 with 38.5 inch boggers in a 72 3/4 ton for 6 years and haven't broken anything yet... it may be luck but if was to ever break i'd just slap some more parts in it and run it for another 6 years.. JMO
then you aint wheelin hard enough , especially with boggers! buddy of mine breaks a shaft (in the middle) with 40" ground hawgs (which we all know is like a 37, lol)

-cutts-
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 11:44 AM
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If you havn't been breaking U joints on a Dana 44 with anything bigger than a 35 than you don't wheel it very hard (not that its a bad thing) or you don't put much stress on the front drive axle.
Ususlly when a U joint breaks, its almost always going to happen when the front wheels are turned because thats where the joint is weakest at. The stock shafts and stock U joints are pretty strong if there straight, but for every turn of the steering wheel the strength significantly decreases.
Speaking from experience, every front axle U joint I have broke (on a Dana 44 or a Dana 60) it has been with the wheels turned, and usually close to the lock position.
 
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 01:41 PM
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Speaking from experience, every front axle U joint I have broke (on a Dana 44 or a Dana 60) it has been with the wheels turned, and usually close to the lock position.
Sounds like a set of CV shafts would be nice
 
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 12:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 1970Custom
Sounds like a set of CV shafts would be nice
I thought about it for the Dana 60, but I spent the money for a used Harley instead
 
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