Topic: Impulse Buy - Bronco Axles

[VA_YJ]

I just bought the axles out of a 1972 Bronco - D44 front and 9" rear for $200 (both) without doing much research.  I figure they're good swap candidates for YJ and TJ Jeeps.  Other than the drum brakes, it looks like they are pretty sweet.  Any pitfalls or problems to watch out for?

[FourbangerYJ]

They are pretty good axles. For $200 you can't beat it. The front is a LP. They have radius arm mounts that would need to be removed for leafs or links but they are pretty easy to remove. You can add disk brakes pretty easy too.
You might want to double check the front. The d44's didn't come in the Bronco until 76 or so not for sure on what year the D44 started. But I do know the 72's had a D30. See if you can find the BOM #'s and check.

[Jeffy]

PITA to remove the radius arms.  If you have an auto, you might run into driveshaft issues.

1972 should have a D44.  it was changed in mid-1971.

[VA_YJ]

It's definitely a Dana 44 (as usual, Jeffy is correct).  Both my Jeeps have 5 speeds, so I shouldn't have an issue there.  I have access to a plasma cutter, so I can rough cut the radius arm brackets and then fine tune with a grinder.  I am leaning toward using the D44 in my TJ to replace the low pinion D30.  I have an 8.8 with 5 on 5.5 shafts ready to go in the rear, I'd just need new wheels.  I know there are lots of tricks with the outers (high steer, disc brakes, etc.) and I'm looking at RCV axle shafts.

[jagular7]

Those Ford axles will work under a Jeep, however, due to the front pinion/housing location, it is more centered under the frame. You may have to use a front ds that uses a pillow block bearing to get around the transmission.

[Jeffy]

Those Ford axles will work under a Jeep, however, due to the front pinion/housing location, it is more centered under the frame. You may have to use a front ds that uses a pillow block bearing to get around the transmission.

I think that's only a problem for automatics.