Scout Dana 44's

[Vermin]

I'm sure the International purists will despise me.. but here I go. I'm fairly set on putting either Scout II or Jeep Wagoneer (narrow track) Dana 44's under my Samurai. How much aftermarket is there for the Scout axles? I know for the most part a Dana44 is a Dana44 is a Dana44.. but I would love to hear that someone makes some big spline carriers (Hopefully ARB), and if not, what is the stock spline count? 30? Are Scout axles more expensive than Jeep axles? I sure know they are more rare.. and usually supply has some serious impact on pricing..

Just curious I suppose. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, here is my best case scenario..
Scout II Dana44's front and rear.
ARB's with 35 spline aftermarket shafts.
Big U-Joints (but I think all Scout II's had the bigger ones?)
4 wheel disk brakes.

Am I smoking too much crack?

[Ben W]

The only 35 spline carrier for ANY Dana 44 is a spool. Use a Wagoneer axle, they have caster, Scout axles have 0 caster so you have to cut and turn if you don't want crappy handling.

[Vermin]

Any 33 splines out there then?

[jdjanda]

You could look into a Super 44 kit with OX locker, there have been many discussions on this in the Heep and General Tech sections. Realistically a 30 spline in a Sammy is going to live a happy life. For the front end, as Ben said, waggy axles have the desired castor, but if you are going to point the pumpkins towards the t-case then both axles would need to be cut and turned. Warn sells replacement front axles for the Scout II, that use the 297x joint. Another hot upgrade is to switch to Ford 78-79 outers, you keep the 5x5.5 pattern with internal hubs. Rear wise, disk kits are available from TSM 5 bones, you can also build your own fairly easy just fab some brackets and go. BTW the Scout disks are massive and will have no problem stopping a Sammy. GL with the setup posts some pics of the Scout axled Sammy if you go that route.

Joe

Here is a link to cutting and turning a front Scout axle. http://www.off-road.com/jweed

[Vermin]

Thanks alot, guys. I think 30 spline will live a happy life in my Sami too. But, I hate spending nights on trails (not planned that is:D ) waiting for an axle shaft to find its way to your group.. or laying on frozen ground in gear oil changing a rear axle.. and I'd much rather over-build my Samurai's drivetrain.. because I'm sure all my friends wont :D

[tsm1mt]

What's with everyone and the spline-count-fever??

At the 30+ spline area I'd rather have DIAMETER than higher spline counts.

More than 33 or 35 or 50 spline axle shaft you need something beefier than 1.31" diameter.

Problem is, everyone knows that a 35sp 60 is "better" than a 30sp 60..

But 30sp 60 hardware (inners and rear) are 1.31", while 35sp stuff is 1.5" stuff.

THAT is why 35sp 60 hardware is stronger.

It's the 1.31" vs. 1.5" that makes the difference, not the 30 vs 35.

In any case.. you're stuck with 30sp 1.31" hardware unless you insist on shelling out some serious coin.

Want more beef? Dana 60.

At least Warn and Moser make alloy fronts.. lots of others make alloy rears.. Dutchman, Mark Williams, Strange, blah blah..

[Vermin]

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't include shaft diameters for you. More often than not when you increase your spline count, you increase your axle shaft diameter.. unless you were running a serious taper to begin with. I'm well aware of this.. thank you drive through.

[Ben W]

Originally posted by Vermin
Oh, I'm sorry I didn't include shaft diameters for you. More often than not when you increase your spline count, you increase your axle shaft diameter.. unless you were running a serious taper to begin with. I'm well aware of this.. thank you drive through.

Go count the splines and measure the diameter of a 14-bolt FF rear shaft sometime. When you are done with that, go find an Eaton 1-ton rear and count the splines and measure the diameter. Then report back to us on your findings. :rolleyes:

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by Vermin
Oh, I'm sorry I didn't include shaft diameters for you. More often than not when you increase your spline count, you increase your axle shaft diameter.. unless you were running a serious taper to begin with. I'm well aware of this.. thank you drive through.

Hmmm.. I have some 16-spline axle shafts that'll put Dana 60 shafts to shame, diameter wise. :D

What's the shaft diameter of a 28-sp 10-bolt front compared to a 30-sp D44 front?

[Curtis]

Here's my $0.02 worth.

Do not waste time on 44's. Go big because you'll eventually want to anyway. By big I mean atleast a 60 rear, but a 14 Bolt is more desirable, and a 60 front. Any 44 front you get uses the 297x family of ujoint. You cannot go bigger without sacrificing durability like the brash bushing ones Jess sells. It is easy enough to cut down these bigger axles if you do not want full width and then order special length shafts. You'll be ahead of the curve in the long run that way and you will NOT spend time on the trail waiting for someone to bring you a replacement shaft in the middle of th night.

I went with the 44 front for now because it was a temp way to get on the road and it was cheap. A buddy gave me the housing and shafts. I then put on the 8 lug stuff and went wheeling. Easy as that. BUT, I will be getting a 60 before next spring and then I'll be set.

[Hayraker]

use the wagoneer 44's, as Ben stated they have castor, and more important the rear diffs are offset to match your t-case.

And Curtis, did you not read the part about putting these in a Sammi? I don't think he will ever need a 60/14bolt combo.

[Curtis]

Shit for some reason I thought he said he was building a Sami on the side of a bigger rig. DOH!!

Yeah, then the 44's would be enough :D :D :D

Go with the waggy stuff then because the rear is offset like the stock sami stuff and the front waggy part for the castor.

[Vermin]

Yeah, I think a 14 bolt would weigh about as much as my Sami :) And the offset diff isn't an issue.. because I'm not retaining any of the Sami driveline. It'll have a center-output soon enough...

Thanks for the info, I'll go wagoneer/cherokee digging this weekend.