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

[95yjman]

Its out of a 78 F150 and I got it for next to nothing.  However, I have a scout d44 in the rear of my jeep and the Front 44 out of the ford is full width.  What would be the best way to make this work? Narrow the ford axle, but what would I do for axle shafts?  Would I need custom made ones to fit my new length?  Or should swap in a different rear axle, which i don't really want to do but if i did, I would go 60..instead of going home 

I thought I remember reading that the Wagoneer Front 44 is an inch longer then the D30? Could I cut it down to that length and run wagoneer axle shafts?

[Jeffy]

Cut it down so it would use SJ axle shafts.  Otherwise run full width and reign in the width with offset wheels.

[Bounty Hunter]

I would narrow it for Wagoneer shafts, that's what I'm doing to two 3/4t Ford d44's.  Cut the inner C's, cut the tube to length, and reweld the inner C's.  I've got a spare Waggy housing here so reference is easy.

[95yjman]

Think thats gonna be a big pain in the butt? I know it won't be fun..but hey gotta do what you gotta do to have beefyness heh  think I can find the exact measurements on the internet? as far as length of a Waggy 44?

[VA_YJ]

Lots of Dana 44 info on these sites:

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html  - Check out the charts with axle shaft lengths

http://www.offroaders.com/directory/axles/dana44.htm

You have a high pinion (good!) and disk brakes (good!), but there are issues with the spring brackets on 78-79 (unless you got it from an F150 Super Cab with leaf springs).

[Bounty Hunter]

there are issues with the spring brackets on 78-79 (unless you got it from an F150 Super Cab with leaf springs).

Ya those cast radius arm brackets make this an undesirable axle, that's why I went with the 3/4t Ford axles.  That and heavier axletubes.

[jagular7]

Keep it full width. Measure the wms between the 2 axles and get a difference. Divide by 2 and that is the size spacer to match the rear to the front wms. Or subtract 2" on the difference and then divide by 2. This gives you a wider axle (1" on each side) up front for better stability and turning. Then add the smaller sized spacers on the rear axle.
I wouldn't worry about the cast wedges. Use the Ford radius arms, lengthen them and put heims on the ends. Or go with custom radius arms for the Ford application. The Ford Bronco used the same axle and radius arm size. It weighed over 6k#s stock. Many do complain about the potential of breaking a front tube. But there really haven't been many cases.

[sharpxmen]

Keep it full width. Measure the wms between the 2 axles and get a difference. Divide by 2 and that is the size spacer to match the rear to the front wms. Or subtract 2" on the difference and then divide by 2. This gives you a wider axle (1" on each side) up front for better stability and turning. Then add the smaller sized spacers on the rear axle.
I wouldn't worry about the cast wedges. Use the Ford radius arms, lengthen them and put heims on the ends. Or go with custom radius arms for the Ford application. The Ford Bronco used the same axle and radius arm size. It weighed over 6k#s stock. Many do complain about the potential of breaking a front tube. But there really haven't been many cases.

he's got a '95 YJ with leaf springs

[neale_rs]

I know of some local Jeeps with wider front axles and it works fine, and it helps keep the rear tires out of trouble.  On the other hand, running wider in the back is not good, if the front makes it through you still don't know if the rear will make it.

[Jeffy]

I know of some local Jeeps with wider front axles and it works fine, and it helps keep the rear tires out of trouble.  On the other hand, running wider in the back is not good, if the front makes it through you still don't know if the rear will make it.

Many trucks have front axles that are wider then the rears stock.  I seem to remember having a wider axle in the rear can screw up tracking or handling.

[FourbangerYJ]

Many trucks have front axles that are wider then the rears stock.  I seem to remember having a wider axle in the rear can screw up tracking or handling.

It makes for a wider turn radius when the front is the same or narrower than the rear.

[95yjman]

I sent you a PM fourbanger...

[FourbangerYJ]

I sent you a PM fourbanger...

 

[FourbangerYJ]

The radius arm wedges can easily be cut off. It's true the F250 have thicker tubes but if they could live under a F150 you should be fine with it under a YJ.
Cutting the C's off is easy.
If for some reason you change your mind on this project. Hang on to this axle for parts. Look for a F250-F150 axle (Pre77) I bought my housing bare with no knuckles, brakes,hubs...nothing. If you find a F250 axle you will need everything from the knuckle out to change to 5 on 5.5. Buying that stuff new or looking around for used is a pain. The prices on this stuff has shot thru the roof since I put mine together.

[Jeffy]

'78-'79 F350 axles are highly sought after.  If he found a match D60, he could use the axle, go full width and use some HMMWV wheels or something with similar offset and be no wider then a stock YJ with 3.75" BS wheels.