44's with dana44?

[danandre]

i just baught my bronco,it has 44 swampers on it and a dana 44 front axle.i replaced both axle shafts,and all of the seals.i found out the prev owner welded the gears up so when i lock my hubs it locks both front tires(no slip).my question is do yall think this is going to be a problem for me as far as breaking axles all the time?it as a 302 in it with 522 or518 gears in it..should i just look for a dana 60 or can i work with what i have.are the 44's to much for that 1/2 ton axle?can i just buy dana 60 parts and put them in?thanks fellas

 

[Broncoholics]

I run 38's on with F250 D44 shafts 760 u-joints and break them a the time. You will have worse problems with 44's and the front welded.

Is it tough to steer when stopped in 4x4?

You would be better off getting a D60. Problem here is you will need new 8 lug rims and tires. You can get a 5 lug conversion kit and brakes that fir 15" rims but it gets spendy or you have to start grinding the calliper and rim.

Lets see some photos of that beast!

 

[ocalabronco]

uh yea, you will be snapping axles left and right. go ahead and upgrade to a 60 now, or at least put an open carrier in the front. what does the rear have for traction aids? i hope its not a 9" or 8.8. the 9" will survive longer than the 8.8 will, but thats all relative. at the bare minimum, you need to be on 3/4 ton running gear. at least run chromo shafts and CTM joints in the front with a 35 spline D60 rear. at the minimum

 

[danandre]

in tennessee now so ill send photos later..it is hard to steer in 4x4,i keep the hubs unlocked and out of 4x4 unless in some harry s**t..it sucks though.i just got it and dumpped about 400 dollars or so in the front.took it out once and then broke the old axles that were in it just figured they were old,so i really havnt had a chance to see how its gonna react.i just dont want to have to be carefull about putting those axles in a bind if im in a rut or climbing anything.any ideas where i can score a 60 at?is it just the shafts or ill need the whole housing and all?thanks bro any info would help,i just dont know what i need to make this beast tuff enough never had 44s

 

[ocalabronco]

you can score a D60 at a junkyard or in the classifieds. make sure you specifiy ford-style drop, high pinion. get ready to break out the check book though, 60's can be very pricey if the person knows what he has

 

[Broncoholics]

Don't you have shift on the fly so you don't have to get out to flip hubs all the time? Guess I should ask what year yours is first?

For now, you can get longer turn stop bolts so you can't turn as sharp. This will save the shafts a bit more, expically while turning. They are located just behind the brake calliper. You might have enough threads to unscrew and tighten down the nut. Never back up a hill with the front tires turned. This is a gauranteed break!

If you want D60 shafts you need the D60 housing.

D60 shafts can break as well with 44's so you might look into buying chromoly shafts & CTM's. You will need new gears, locker so you can turn the tires easier (like 6:12 or lower).

What I'd do if I was low on cash and can't pay for:

D60 $900

Gears:$250

Locker:$250+

Gear/ Locker Install: $250

2 Shafts: $300+

2 CTM's:$300

2 8 lug rims:$200+

2 new 44" tires: $800+

Wheel bearings: $100+

New Brake pads: $40+

Seals: $

Fab work: Priceless!

Gets costly going to D60.

 

[SoFlaSwamper]

I'm runnin 44s on my IFS with a 44 and i haven't broken an axle yet...now, i only run my truck at sanctioned mud bogs or places that i know are JUST mud, so I don't have that much to worry about as far as grabbin rock when I'm spinnin them hard, and i don't climb either so thats out....

just be careful, thats all. Oh and definetly get rid of the welded front end...that SPELLS trouble man!!!

Welding sucks because when you have a posi or LSD or a spool, it allows you to still slip the tires a little bit, but welded gears, they spin, bottom line, and when they do end up grabbing, it'll rip that axle to shreds!!!

 

[danandre]

any of yall wana buy a D44 with a set of new 44 swampers?hehehe..o well ill just drive it untill it breaks and in the mean time try and find some 1 ton front and rears.sure ill find something that will work.i have manual locking hubs.its an 84,but i baught a 89 bronco4x4 for parts so i used the frt clip and all the interior for mine.yall do me a favor and look for my post ill need some help when i go to buy this stuff so i get the correct stuff(if you dont mind)..i think its a ford 9 in the rear...thanks for all the info fellas,greatly appreciated.later

 

[ocalabronco]

Welding sucks because when you have a posi or LSD or a spool, it allows you to still slip the tires a little bit, but welded gears, they spin, bottom line, and when they do end up grabbing, it'll rip that axle to shreds!!!

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yes, a limited slip diff will allow a tire to slip moreso than with a true locker. a SPOOL however, will not. it totally eliminates the spider and side gears, allowing for absolutely no differentiation between the wheel speeds. sorry if i come off as an ass, but dont throw out more misinformation than is already present around here.

 

[SoFlaSwamper]

yes, a limited slip diff will allow a tire to slip moreso than with a true locker. a SPOOL however, will not. it totally eliminates the spider and side gears, allowing for absolutely no differentiation between the wheel speeds. sorry if i come off as an ass, but dont throw out more misinformation than is already present around here.

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no worries my friend. i learned something new too /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[ocalabronco]

glad i could help you out. i've got a full spool in my 60 rear, and its awesome. chews up tires kinda quick and bucks and chirps around turns, but you can't beat 100% traction

 

[SoFlaSwamper]

glad i could help you out.  i've got a full spool in my 60 rear, and its awesome. chews up tires kinda quick and bucks and chirps around turns, but you can't beat 100% traction

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ya, i bet you can run around most thick shit in 2wd with a spooled reaer