71 Scout axle for SAS

[s3rous]

Anyone know if the optional front dana 44 on a 71 international scout would be a good candidate for a SAS? I can get a 71 scout with front and rear dana 44s that runs for $250.

Thanks,
John

 

[IZwack]

Differential is on the wrong side B

 

[s3rous]

OK, guess that sums it up! What about jeep front diffs? Are there any newer models that I could use as a donor?

 

[IZwack]

Yeah the Jeeps' will work... just go with the Wagoneer's axle, its one of the most common to use. Just make sure the differential is on the driver's side cauz I think the really really old ones were on the passenger's .. maybe in the 70s? I forget but something like that.

Here, 99% of all the questions you'll have about the D44 can be answered by this site: http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

 

[s3rous]

I can get a front and rear 44 from a wagoneer for 400. I just need to check the ratios and the width..

 

[IZwack]

Akay.. but just an FYI: the rear axle you have on your ST now is stronger than the Dana 44 in the Wagoneer. So by going with the Wagoneer rear axle, you're downgrading a little bit in the strength department -- but on the plus side, you will have a matching bolt pattern because the Wagoneer and the Explorer's bolt pattern are not the same.

 

[s3rous]

Yeah, I was thinking that the advantage of having the exact same width and bolt pattern would be worth it. I am still thinking that one through. And they are only being sold as a package... Now if I can just find out what the stock gears on a 89 wagoneer are.

 

[IZwack]

Try searching Google.. i know that theres a forum out there called IFSJA (international full size jeep association) that covers the Wagoneers and the J-10/J-20 pretty well.

 

[RangerX]

Now if I can just find out what the stock gears on a 89 wagoneer are.

Looking at my 4x4s book, in 89 there was a Wagoneer and a Grand Wagoneer. The Grand was the fullsize, and I'm guessing what you mean, as it had D44s, the smaller Wagoneer had D30 and D35.
The Grand Wagoneer had 2.73 gears with the NP 228 TC, or 3.31 with the NP208.
Neither ratio seem worth saving.

 

[JohnnyO]

The full-size Wagoneer axles will be too wide. I know a guy with a Scout front axle on his Ranger, so maybe other years have the diff on the correct side. Problem he ran into is that the bolt pattern is different. Not noticeable but then you can't rotate the tires. The best axle for an SAS is a '76-'77 Bronco Dana 44. It is the right width and has disc brakes.
'71-'75 Broncos also had a Dana 44 but they had drum brakes that you'll have to swap to discs. Problem with the early Bronco axles is that they've been out of production for a long time so they're hard to find and pricey when you do.
The Dana 30 out of a late-model Cherokee will work but it's not as strong and you won't want to run tires larger than 33".

 

[John_Rock]

Differential is on the wrong side B

Hey Iz, can't your just flip that baby over???

 

[John_Rock]

You know, you could use the Scout axles if you just replace your whole drive train. Go to the dark side and install a Chevy 350/tranny/transfer case. Chevys are passenger side drops.

 

[IZwack]

Hey Iz, can't your just flip that baby over???

Ahaha!

 

[chad551]

I am using a Wagoneer axle for my SAS. It is about 2" wider than the rear. But since I already have 2" wheel spacers it will be fine.

 

[s3rous]

So now the big debate is whether or not to use both the front and rear D44s.

Advantages:
-Same width
-Same bolt pattern
-I can have them both built up without my trac being in the shop

Disadvantages:
- Weaker
- More work because some things might not be direct bolt in on the rear


However, I heard that you could do build a "super 44" or something that is as strong as the 8.8. I am leaning toward using both 44s unless the rear work will be too much, but I think since I am doing a SOA anyways.... I also think that I am doing leaf springs in the front.

 

[north/west,ex]

I had adapters made from 3/4 plate for the rear to change from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5 ,Get them made from 1" plate and theres your 2"and bolt pattern

 

[JohnnyO]

I fail to see the point of spending the money to build up (and install) a rear D44 to be as strong as the 8.8'' that you already have. Just sayin'....

 

[RangerX]

RockRanger used a Waggy D44 for his SAS. You can read up on it here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125858&highlight=RockRanger
I think he used spacer/adapters on his 8.8 to match the front.
And yeah, it's just a couple inches wider than your D35, it's not a true full-width axle.

 

[Diesel Scout]

Just a word of caution, Scout's didn't come with Dana 44's stock in 71. It was a closed knuckle Dana 30, which besides being the wrong side drop, is a horrible axle for conversion.