We're buliding an '83 Dodge w-250 for Tellico use and abuse. Not too many Dodges on the trails. She's a big dog. Looking for ideas on converting the front axle (Dana44HD) to manual hubs.. It has a 208 transfer case. We're running 63" Chevy springs in back, custom perches and shackles. 38" swampers w/ beadlocks, 5:38's and the long bed/frame has been severely doctored. (chopped) Where's the mopar boys?

anyone who runs a dana 44 with 38's on a fullsize dodge is just lookin to work on his rig all day in my opinion.:p

Get the inner axle from a 75 to 82 Dodge to do away with the CAD and two piece axle..(do I need to go back and say that you need the driver side inner axle and not the passenger side?) Then remove the two piece axle and all related CAD stuff.. Put the new axle in(if you get a 74 to 79 make sure you use your old stub axle) with a new U-joint of course then bolt the manual hubs in place of the slugs..

Doesn't a 83 have auto locking hubs? Mine did, I just put in warn hubs and it comes in a kit. Also the gears you are talking about are too fragile I think. I would never go lower than 4:56. Also a 44 with 38's is breakage waiting to happen. Specialy if your looking at mostly trail use. YOU NEED A Dana 60. But what do I know.

Yah, Yah, I know...... I NEED A DANA 60.:idea: Unless you guys got one for cheap, I'll just run this 44 into the ground I guess. I'm gonna leave it open for sure. Sucks, but........ The info on the inner axle was great, tho. Thanks. There's some 'ol Dodges in a few junk yards around here I can get that stuff out of. I talked to Warn and they said they didn't have a clue..... Nice. I should ask to talk to a real rep. I guess. I'll try to keep my 44 alive as long as I can, but.............




It's a work in progress, that's for sure. Or more like disaster in progress. What was Dodge thinkin putting a 44 up front on a 3/4 ton w/ the sno plow package?????

Is that your truck in the pic? It looks like it already has Warns on it....:confused:

Also, Isn't the seal surface in a different location for CAD axles as for regular axles?

Originally posted by reddwarf
Is that your truck in the pic? It looks like it already has Warns on it....:confused:

Also, Isn't the seal surface in a different location for CAD axles as for regular axles?

Last time i checked, cad axles came out in 85 for dodge truck.. 81-84 have the same housing as the 75-80, but with the locking hub setup.

Garrett

ditto.;)

but its still a waste of time:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Hick


Last time i checked, cad axles came out in 85 for dodge truck.. 81-84 have the same housing as the 75-80, but with the locking hub setup.

Garrett

....what does that have to do with my post? :confused:

what they are saying is you dont need to change axle shafts on 83 dana 44 axles to install manual locking hubs. you need to remove the stock auto hubs and install a manual locking hub such as a warn kit.