- Joined
- February 16, 2001
- Messages
- 5,418
- Reaction score
- 25
- City, State
- 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 91 4 do'
Well, its been an exciting week for the Explorer with the Dana 44 getting hacked apart.
I'm chopping down a Dana 44 and of course talking to shops everyone will offer a different opinion. This is ranging from gears to lockers to brand of shafts so I thought I'd share what I've heard and see what ya'll think. In the end I am certain that I will be so much stronger than my current setup, however I'd rather do it right this time rather than spend the cash down the road on repairs.
First my current setup, 4.56 Dana 35, Ford 8.8. I've run this setup with EZ lockers in both ends and can totally bear the "load" of steering problems, I did however have issues with my front locker shearing pins, but never once yet in the rear.
I got a SWEEEEET deal of a set of 37x12.50x15 Swamper SSRs yesterday (brand new) so this will be my new tire on the setup.
Now lets hear opinions.
Do I stay 4.56s or go 5.13s and spend the extra $500. I suppose someone on here would give me a little bit of money for the old gears so it wouldn't be too expensive. The front already needs the gears, so why not the rear eh?
What locker?
I wanted to go Detroit, install it and leave it, I thought it would be just like the lock rite without any of the trouble, but one shop told me steering would be harsh.
ARB- The way that that shop suggested that I go, of course more money, but is it worth the extra $300 that I really am starting not to have with this project.
OX locker- but I hear they were out of business for a while, are they dependable and worth it over the Detroit?
What shafts are best? I looked at Superior and Warn. I will be running F150 short side shaft and an EB long side after I get the axle chopped down this evening.
Superior vs Warn. I will run the Spicer u-joints, Sorry I'm not going to spend over $100 on just a u-joint for those fancy.
What kind of steering is everyone setting up on their solid axles, there isn't a lot of current pics. I'd like to see what Jefe, and others with 44s chopped specifically have done.
Lastly I guess I'll need an opinion about what beer to drink while doing this project. I mean this is emptying every pocket that I'll have to resort from my normal decent brands to either something like a Milwaukees Best or a Natural Light. OUCH. On a good note, I'll honestly say that this swap is balancing out costs, because I can think of 3-4 nights I have worked on it by myself instead of going to the clubs and spending money on booze and strippers!!!!!!! That's no coincedence, it's me telling myself that the Dana 44 is no big hit on the pocket book.
I'm chopping down a Dana 44 and of course talking to shops everyone will offer a different opinion. This is ranging from gears to lockers to brand of shafts so I thought I'd share what I've heard and see what ya'll think. In the end I am certain that I will be so much stronger than my current setup, however I'd rather do it right this time rather than spend the cash down the road on repairs.
First my current setup, 4.56 Dana 35, Ford 8.8. I've run this setup with EZ lockers in both ends and can totally bear the "load" of steering problems, I did however have issues with my front locker shearing pins, but never once yet in the rear.
I got a SWEEEEET deal of a set of 37x12.50x15 Swamper SSRs yesterday (brand new) so this will be my new tire on the setup.
Now lets hear opinions.
Do I stay 4.56s or go 5.13s and spend the extra $500. I suppose someone on here would give me a little bit of money for the old gears so it wouldn't be too expensive. The front already needs the gears, so why not the rear eh?
What locker?
I wanted to go Detroit, install it and leave it, I thought it would be just like the lock rite without any of the trouble, but one shop told me steering would be harsh.
ARB- The way that that shop suggested that I go, of course more money, but is it worth the extra $300 that I really am starting not to have with this project.
OX locker- but I hear they were out of business for a while, are they dependable and worth it over the Detroit?
What shafts are best? I looked at Superior and Warn. I will be running F150 short side shaft and an EB long side after I get the axle chopped down this evening.
Superior vs Warn. I will run the Spicer u-joints, Sorry I'm not going to spend over $100 on just a u-joint for those fancy.
What kind of steering is everyone setting up on their solid axles, there isn't a lot of current pics. I'd like to see what Jefe, and others with 44s chopped specifically have done.
Lastly I guess I'll need an opinion about what beer to drink while doing this project. I mean this is emptying every pocket that I'll have to resort from my normal decent brands to either something like a Milwaukees Best or a Natural Light. OUCH. On a good note, I'll honestly say that this swap is balancing out costs, because I can think of 3-4 nights I have worked on it by myself instead of going to the clubs and spending money on booze and strippers!!!!!!! That's no coincedence, it's me telling myself that the Dana 44 is no big hit on the pocket book.