need info, 8 lug D44 stuff

[Yomie]

I was wondering if anyone could help me find out some info on 8 lug D44 stuff with chevy knuckles. I heard that chevy has a single piston caliper on their 8 lug stuff, does anyone know any specifics, will a 15" wheel fit over it?

I'm looking for caliper brakets and so forth

 

[Stic-o]

I was wondering if anyone could help me find out some info on 8 lug D44 stuff with chevy knuckles. I heard that chevy has a single piston caliper on their 8 lug stuff, does anyone know any specifics, will a 15" wheel fit over it?

I'm looking for caliper brakets and so forth

I think the 8 lug you have to go to 16.5 or bigger

 

[hiridin]

on my cousins 84 3/4 ton chevy 4x4 she has 16's... and with some shaving on the caliper and the right back spacing i believe 15's can fit. she alsmost bought my old tires for 15" wheels. but we didn't have a 15" wheel to try. but it looks like it could work its close though

 

[IZwack]

Well hey there Yomie.. this is exactly the same route I went

So yes a 15" wheel will wrap itself over an 8-lugged D44 given that the wheels have no more than say 2.5" of backspacing.
There may be some grinding required on the calipers but don't be scard, its only shaving a millimeter or two

If you're looking for caliper brackets, I got mine from a user on Pirate.
So maybe post a thread in Pirate's Wanted forum. But of course you can also check E-bay and so on..

 

[sn0border88]

ask and you shall reciecve...

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

or if your to lazy to look...


Swapping the Knuckles Out for high steer and 8 on 6.5" wheel bolt pattern: (8 bolts = 3/4 ton style) You've 3 options:
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Option 1: Chevy parts: Grab a Chevy or Full Size Jeep Dana 44 knuckles and outer axle shaft. To convert these to 8 on 6.5" you'll need to find a 3/4 ton disk brakes Chevy truck (note some Chevy 1 tons ran a Dana 44 from 73-78). It can be running a Dana 44 (73-80) or a Chevy 10 Bolts (77-87) as these parts interchange! From the 3/4 ton truck you'll need the Spindle, Caliper mounting plate, Caliper, disk brake Rotor, Hub with lug nuts and lockout. Also grab the outer axle shaft, as all Chevy Dana 44's with the 5-297x style u-joint run the same outer shaft. Now you've the parts, make it work!! This option is harder to source parts.
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Option 2: Run Ford 3/4 ton Knuckles Out, however you can only use Ford 3/4 ton brakes with Ford knuckles. This option will cost more, year for to source 3/4 ton Ford parts 76-79. Do note 76-77 is a larger hub and lock-out that is difficult to find. 77.5-79 runs the same lock-out as a 1/2 tons and is easier to find. See my Dana 44 article for more info between different types of Ford Dana 44 axles.
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Option 3: Run Dodge or IHC 3/4 ton stuff. Here is how... Who am I kidding, I have no clue on Dodge stuff ;~) IHC see note in above.

 

[IZwack]

Yomie whats the D44 out of?

if its a Wagoneer axle, all you need are:

Chevy Backing plates (aka "caliper brackets")
Chevy Calipers
Chevy Rotors
Chevy Hub (typically goes with the rotor as one unit)

You can re-use the spindle as the Wagoneer used the "big bearing" spindle.
You can re-use the lockouts as the Wagoneer used the same hub so the dimensions are the same
You can re-use the outter axle shaft as the Chevy D44 and Wagoneer D44 used the same outer.

But obviously you're probably going to get new calipers, the rotor and hub assembly, and lockouts. So really all that you're looking for at this point is the backing plates. The rest (caliper, rotor and hub unit, lockouts) you can purchase from local or online stores. Oh and also the bearings, seals and what not. When you go to the store or online for these items, look for them under a mid-80s (say an 1984) Chevy K20 Suburban (doesnt matter which engine)

 

[zainyD]

I think he's wanting to convert a HP D44 Ford axle from 5 to 8 lug in which case he'll need everything from the knuckle out.

 

[IZwack]

I think he's wanting to convert a HP D44 Ford axle from 5 to 8 lug in which case he'll need everything from the knuckle out.

I have not looked at the HP's outer parts but you're probably right.

 

[Yomie]

I have a ford HP44 but i am using chevy flat tops, so i have the 6 bolt knuckles. I want to run 15" wheels and i don't want 2" of backspacing.....soo i guess i'll stay with 6 lug or 5 lug now..

 

[IZwack]

Yeah unless you're trying to match up the rear axle, there's really not that much advantage to having 8 freaking lugs. I mean you have to buy 12 more lug nuts than a 5-lug setup

 

[Yomie]

ok does anyone know the exact chevy spindle i need to run the 5 lug hubs and rotors

 

[zainyD]

You will need a Chevy D44 small bearing spindle Spicer part #706528. You can find them just about everywhere including, eBay, Pirate, Complete Offroad, and last but no least your local junkyard on D44's in 72-76 Chevy 1/2's. Hope that helps.

 

[sn0border88]

did you even look at the link i gave you? it has every part number/year truck it comes from listed for any d44 conversion imaginable.

 

[glfredrick]

I've got the Jeep J20 8 lug hubs for mine, and my 15 x 10 w/ 4.5" backspacing fits right on! Tight, yes, but it clears. I was a happy camper! I don't want a 2" backspace wheel!

The J20 uses exactly the same size rotor and the same caliper as the 1/2 ton 5 lug hub, so it is made to fit 15" wheels.

Also, you will have to be choosy about the wheels! Not all wheels are made the same. I'd take something to measure when picking them out.

Here's my setup:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155102

I'm currently having the rotors turned, so I'll try to get some pics in the next couple of days -- with the wheels mounted so everyone can see.

 

[IZwack]

I've got the Jeep J20 8 lug hubs for mine, and my 15 x 10 w/ 4.5" backspacing fits right on! Tight, yes, but it clears. I was a happy camper! I don't want a 2" backspace wheel!

Thats amazing glfredrick.

 

[Yomie]

I've got the Jeep J20 8 lug hubs for mine, and my 15 x 10 w/ 4.5" backspacing fits right on! Tight, yes, but it clears. I was a happy camper! I don't want a 2" backspace wheel!

The J20 uses exactly the same size rotor and the same caliper as the 1/2 ton 5 lug hub, so it is made to fit 15" wheels.

Also, you will have to be choosy about the wheels! Not all wheels are made the same. I'd take something to measure when picking them out.

Here's my setup:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155102

I'm currently having the rotors turned, so I'll try to get some pics in the next couple of days -- with the wheels mounted so everyone can see.

cOOL, looking forward to the pics

 

[Stic-o]

Yomie, I'm running 4.5 BS on my 15x8 wheels. Just use the Chevy TRE's that will get that tie rod out of the way some.