HP D-44 sighting

[Hypoid]

I did a run-through at pull-n-save, saw two HP D-44 front axles that people interested in SASing might consider. Both have the C brackets and inner knuckles welded on 1/2" thick axle tubes. These are desireable because they are easier to modify, shorten, and rotate the knuckles. Both have 3.50 gears and open carriers.

One is from a '74 and has drum brakes, so you would need to source the parts needed to install disc brakes and later style steering.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS191.jpg

The other is on a '76, the shizznet because the parts for disc brakes are already there.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS188.jpg

Happy hunting!!!

[1freaky1]

Mike I didn't see this posting before I replied to your email, Also I have a D44 like the one from the 74 out of a 70 if anyone is interested let me know.

[bronc_17113]

sean did you change your mind about the SAS?

[Starkman]

Nice, does the spindles and brakes from a TTB D44 fit the drum D44?

[bronc_17113]

I believe so Richbut I am not 100 percent

[1freaky1]

sean did you change your mind about the SAS?
Nope I just want to go with one that already has disc brakes plus going to narrow it to the width of the ranger more so that coils will mount closer to the frame rather than fabbing mounts that would go out to the radius arm width of the full size axle. will end up doing the same with a 9" when I come up with one unless I find a D60 for the rear.

[1freaky1]

Nice, does the spindles and brakes from a TTB D44 fit the drum D44?

Rich I recently read that the drum brake D44s had kingping mounts instead of ball joints so check into that too, Man I need to get the playpen back to you also if things ever slow down. Sorry about taking so long on that!

[bronc_17113]

sean u may want to keep your eye out for eb axles just a thought

[1freaky1]

Thanks Don, what is eb though?

[bronc_17113]

early bronco

[1freaky1]

Duh on me I need more coffee! But I am thinking since those are getting harder to find that they are going to be pricie.

[Hypoid]

Rich I recently read that the drum brake D44s had kingping mounts instead of ball joints so check into that too, Man I need to get the playpen back to you also if things ever slow down. Sorry about taking so long on that!
I searched through my links, but couldn't find the spotter's guide I read before. I guess I didn't save it after all. FWIW, my '74 axle with drum brakes has ball joints.

Since I don't know squat about TTB, I have to ask: Is the spindle swap to keep the 5 on 4.5 lug pattern? I think the Cherokee guys would be all over it if it were possible. Many of those guys swap to the 5 on 5.5 pattern.

I'll dig up some threads later, I'm burning daylight.

[Starkman]

The reason I asked is it would be much easier to find a disc brake setup from a TTB to do the swap. I know some of the early D44s had 5? bolts on the spindle and later ones where bigger with 6 bolts. The big bolt pattern is one reason I have not done a SAS. All those kind of expenses add up (wheels, matching rear wheels, locker, gears, long arms).

[crawlin91]

hmmmm. what do you think a yard would ask for the hp d44 with disk setup. And does anyone know what is needed to do a full width 44 underneath a ranger or b2? (As far as coil bucket relocation, rad arms etc.)

[bronc_17113]

read the write ups in the tech section

[crawlin91]

the write up in the tech section is for a eb 44, not a full width axle. Ive seen many threads on this subject that I will have to take a second look at. I just wanted to see if anyone knew off hand.

[bronc_17113]

well the question is very vague there are a ton of ways to skin this cat

[Hefty]

Do you want to keep the full width or narrow to the ranger width? That is the first question that needs to be answered

[1freaky1]

I was going to use the FS one I have but decided to go w/ a narrower one or have this one narrowed Less work to fab mounts that stick out away from the frame but I haveen several rangers done like that.

[Hypoid]

I know some of the early D44s had 5? bolts on the spindle and later ones where bigger with 6 bolts. The big bolt pattern is one reason I have not done a SAS. All those kind of expenses add up (wheels, matching rear wheels, locker, gears, long arms). I keep thinking about this, and wonder if the spindle differences you reference are more specific to the application. I don't really know how the 3/4 ton spindles are different from the half-ton, never had to go there.

My '74 half-ton axle with drum brakes has six bolts holding the spindle. The '79 FSB axle I got from Don has five bolts holding the spindle. My understanding is that any half-ton from '76 to '79, and FSB from '78/'79, would have disc brakes and 5 bolt spindles. To get disc without changing the axle I would have to change the outer knuckles. So the choices are kind of narrow, but not that obscure??? High steer is a whole other ball game to me.

I think Don may have posted this link here in the past: http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

FWIW, I saw two '78/'79 Full Size Broncos sit in Western for at least three weeks without the front axles being touched. They could be crushed by now.

[Hypoid]

Hmmm...

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS220.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS219.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS221.jpg

Normally I wouldn't look twice at a low pinion or a passenger's side drop. This also has disc brakes and a 5 on 5.5 lug pattern. I was wishing I had a caliper to measure the axle tube diameter. If you plan on cutting and turning the knuckles anyway, why not take the inners? Price for the whole axle was $100...not at p-n-s though.;)

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Parts%20Dog/UPLOADS222.jpg

[Hypoid]

I ran through Pull-n-save yesterday, the '76 axle is gone. The '74 axle is still there, pretty much untouched.

When I ran through the Chrysler section, there were a few of those leaf sprung, passenger drop, LP 44s with high steer knuckles and disc brakes. One even had fairly new brakes.

[Hypoid]

Here are some of the links I keep forgetting to post. Even though it's mostly heep related, they give some ideas for making these axles fit where they were never installed.

The first is kind of moot because the OP is installing a full size waggy low pinion axle in his XJ. His axle choice gives him close to stock width and the ability to use an aftermarket truss that has the mounts located for his application. One of these days I'll have to measure my extra spindle that fit my '74 axle. It mounts with six bolts also.

Anyway, he has a parts list to get Ford hubs on his Jeep axle: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=972334

Here is a guy I'm sure others will recognize from a few boards. He's detailing a build for someone else and gives pretty good detail for cutting and turning the inner knuckles: http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=957494