Topic: So...I picked up a D44 front..

[Bounty Hunter]

The radius arm wedges can easily be cut off.

Aren't some cast and some welded to the axle?  Not sure you can do anything with the cast wedges.

[FourbangerYJ]

Aren't some cast and some welded to the axle?  Not sure you can do anything with the cast wedges.

I thought they were welded, but I am not an expert on them. But like I said earlier if he changes his mind hang on to it for parts.

[neale_rs]

From:  http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Dana44.htm  

Recommendation:

The best Dana 44's are the 1976-1977 units with 297x u-joints, disc brakes and weld on radius arm mounting brackets (wedgies) that can be cut off. These should all be reverse cut high pinion units. The 1978-1979 units are just as good as long as you want to retain the factory style radius arms. The axle tubes are pressed in to a casting for the radius arms and do not go all the way through it.  This means you can't just cut the mounts off like you can on the previous year axles. It is possible to shorten these axles for use with radius arms though.  For more information click HERE. If you wanted to use the 1989 [I think they meant 78 here] -1979 Dana 44 for a leaf spring or link suspension setup, you would have to completely rebuild the housing with new tubes.

The other axle of choice would be the 1977-1979 F-150 Super Cab or 1978-1979 F-250 Dana 44's that were setup for leafs. Remember that'll you'll have an 8-lug wheel bolt pattern with the F-250 axles.

[FourbangerYJ]

The other axle of choice would be the 1977-1979 F-150 Super Cab or 1978-1979 F-250 Dana 44's that were setup for leafs. Remember that'll you'll have an 8-lug wheel bolt pattern with the F-250 axles.

That is why he should hang on to the one he has if he is not going to use it. The knuckles out can be used on a F250 D44 and give him the correct 5 lug pattern.

[neale_rs]

A local jeeper built a TJ with radius arms (extended beyond stock length) recently.  He used 78-79 F-150 axles full width.  It works very well.  Maybe the YJ could be converted to radius arms to simplify the use of the purchased axle and get more front flex all at once.

Another friend built a TJ with full width Ford truck axles (Dana 44 and 9").  He has the 5 lug pattern and had no trouble with the link suspension so it must have been an super cab F-150.  I mention this because it might be a good option to buy the front and rear axles together and then not worry so much about the bolt patterns.