Section525 - D44 2nd gen. leaves SAS

[section525]

You can have my BL and my ****ty 33s when I am done with them.

I don't know what I am doing tomorrow if anything. I'll probably be ordering parts. There's nothing really I can do until I have my axle done. But if you find me some 30/31s to run for now we can swap my BL out and into yours.

 

[IZwack]

$0.02 - the pucks makes it a little easier to remove hard-to-reach parts like the transmission bell housing bolts.. maybe cut the 3" pucks down to 1.5" .. but if u dont plan on changing anything hard-to-reach anytime soon, then by all means chuck em

 

[section525]

Well I may do something like that down the road if I need to. But my two BL problems are my headers and my tcase shift. I've been wanting to take it out for a looong ass time now.

 

['97 V8]

i can take those 33's off your hands for ya

what problems are you having exactly with the headers and bl?

 

[section525]

The steering extension that comes with the BL conflicts with the header. I then had a custom shaft made but it's still very close to the header. But it works.

 

[Jefe]

But if you find me some 30/31s to run for now we can swap my BL out and into yours.

Why such small tires? I ran w/o my BL on 35's for a month or so. SOA and 3" TT

 

[Jefe]

[QUOTE='97 V8]is it possible i leave the exhisting cross member from the ifs there or is there gonna be some intereference issues with steering and what not?[/QUOTE]
Yeah, that wouldn't work at all unless you wanted massive lift. Pic taken in my mockup stages:

Like I said I had no ill effects from removing it and not replacing it with something.

 

[section525]

Why such small tires? I ran w/o my BL on 35's for a month or so. SOA and 3" TT

Maybe I'll give it a try. I didn't trim as much as you did though.

Guess I'll try and locate all my old body mount bolts tomorrow.

 

['97 V8]

Yeah, that wouldn't work at all unless you wanted massive lift. Pic taken in my mockup stages:

Like I said I had no ill effects from removing it and not replacing it with something.

thanks jefe. i didnt realize it came down that far.

 

[section525]

I've pretty much decided to get some form of aftermarket hi-steer knuckles. I'd rather go that route than finding used ones and having them machined and whatnot.

My choices are:

Parts Mike
Crane

Or get the Ford D44 Dedenbear's and try and find all new Ford spindles, rotors, (basically everything from the knuckle out). I know 034x4 is running the Parts Mike. Anyone else have input about those or the other brands? I want to order something on Monday.

 

[EMG7895]

Crane makes very good knuckls.

 

[RockRanger]

I would go with the 6bolt spindle setup over the ford 5 bolt setup. Should be easier to find the parts sence they were used over many product lines as opposed to just Ford. One of the aftermarket companies is makeing knuckles with 4 bolts for teh histeer arm instead of three. Might as well go allout. I think rockstomper has teh knuckles and arms but am not positive.

 

[section525]

The dedenbear's have the four bolt hi steers. I could get those in the Cheby too I guess. Only $200 a piece.

 

[DB_1]

I like the new Ford Dedenbears too, thought about getting those but I'm gonna run this axle for awhile as is. I think I see a 9"/60 in my future

 

[section525]

Finally orderd the 5 lug conversion kit off eBay. But I did buy the knuckles. I gots me some Rock Equipment knuckles. Should be pretty bling.

Next I'll be getting the high steer arms and steering kit.. probably from parts mike.

Now I just need to decide what size tires to get.

 

[IZwack]

5 on 5.5 lug conversion kits? If so, all you needed are the rotors, hubs, and inner wheel bearing seal from a mid 80s F-150 - rockAuto has new hub and rotor set for ~$30-$40 each (you need 2 of course):
http://www.rockauto.com/ref/Raybestos/DetailLocal.html?66297.jpg&66297d.jpg
(same diameter and overall height as stock wagoneer rotor and hub unit)
Everything else you re-use (spindle, backing plate/caliper mount, lockouts).

 

[section525]

Don't you need new spindles too?

I figured it would be about $100 for spindles, plus new rotors, hubs, bearings, etc. And it's all brand new parts. Plus there's not a whole lot of yards to pull parts from around these parts.

 

[IZwack]

spindles are the same...

There were basically two different Dana 44s - the break being I think in '72. I believe everything above this break used the same spindle (and therefore same bearing diameter).

Go to this page:http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Steering/Steering_Research/steeringresearch.htm
Once there, scroll down about 1/3 of the way down to the title "What parts do I need to run a flat top knuckle Dana44 with a 5x5.5" bolt pattern?"

Essentially you run the Chevy or FSJ knuckle out, but you use a '76-'92 Ford F-150 Hub, rotor, and Inner Wheel bearing seal. (Except the '87-early '88 model Fords with the weird flange mount hub). The manual lockout is the same part for both.

(FSJ = full size jeep)

EDIT: apparently you need the spindles too - as redranger pointed out: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1432088#post1432088

 

[FROADER]

Now I just need to decide what size tires to get.

37s If not at least 35s!

 

[034x4]

gots me some Rock Equipment knuckles. Should be pretty bling.

Those are pretty sweet. I think those knuckles just might out-bling my d44 lol.