Originally posted by FAKRWEE
1-When I quoted the D44 vs D60 price diference was between $1,500.00 & $2,000.00 depending on the set up. I personaly prefer to spend that money on something else like 17in. rims and 37in. tires which are very expensive. Or a klune V if they ever make them.
Good point. I wasn't sure what the going rate for a RC 60 from Dynatrac was.
2-D60 is virtually unbreakable but has a few drawbacks I considered. 1st is weight. A complete D44 weighs approx. 240 lbs. A D60 approx. 505lbs., more than double the D44. I don't want to install a V-8 and the only way to improve HP is to eliminate weight. That's way I sold my old bumpers and got some new light weight ones with better approach and departure angles. I also made a new 28 gal. rear tank and eliminated the old heavier built 30 gal. I had in the stock location. I know these sound like small adjustments but I feel the difference. I don't stall as much because I don't have to give it as much gas as before when I'm climbing.
I have a stick shift and they are very sensitive.
Weight is important. The less the better. When it is distributed properly you can get away with a slightly heavier rig.
3-The much heavier D60 will cause tires to wear much faster.
Depends on your air pressure, overall weight, etc. Plus my junk will b on a trailer most of the time, so thats not an issue.
4-People I've talked to that have D60s on a short wheel base like mine pointed out another problem. Weight transfer and center of gravity problems on steep sidehills which could lead to rollovers. It seems that on an extreme sidehill once it reaches a certain point the weight transfer on the D60 can actually flip you over. The D44 is more forgiving. And I like forgiving. On trails like Rubicon when sometimes your travelling on steep sidehills that are so off-camber that your spotter is sitting on your lap a sneeze can flip you over.Also the same applies on sharp turns at fast speeds on dirt roads. Once you go past your traction limit the d60 will pull you a lot faster than the D44.
2 door wheelbase is 101". That's not that short. Acutally its almost ideal for crawling, depending on your preferences.
Besides, if you are on an extreme sidehill, as long as you have a cage and there isn't a dropoff on the other side of you... Chicks dig body damage!
5-For a six cylinder a D60 is overkill. You can upgrade a D44 and make it a lot stronger if you need too. Randys' Ring & Pinion makes a 4340 chrome-moly axleshaft that doesn't neck down like the stock ones. When an axle necks down it loses strength and that's your weak point.
Another nice feature is that they are made for a full-circle retaining clips. Stock axles only allow for a c-clip retainer. Warn makes hub fuse that will blow before your axle or a u-joint. And the list goes on and on.
I totally disagree here. As long as you match your crawl to your tire size, even with the weight, the 4.0L will produce enough power to move around easily.
I'm still waiting to hear reports from guys running D44s with over 40" tires with alloys and CTMs. I know that setup will handle 37s, but for me, a 37" tire just isn't big enough. Hell, a 38.5" might end up being too small.
Those hub fuses are junk. The only way they are useful is if you have an open diff. They say NOT to install them with lockers because of the potential of damaging your locker. I'm not trading a locker for hub fuses.
For rock crawling you don't really need it. I think their best application would be for mudders.
Again, I disagree. If they are overkill then almost every competitive rig in ARCA, CalRocks, ProRocks, RRCA, etc wouldn't be running them.
That's what it is all about! Once it's built, go out and have a blast. I'm very interested to see how your explorer comes out when it gets back from the shop.
