Hey I am in the process of building a Hybred D44 inner section, diff,gears,ect,ect,with D60 everything from the knuckles out why do you not see these more? You get the benifit of D44 clearence with 60 outter strength. And in a turning application the weakest spot is the Ujoint. Wonder if I am going to break inners now? Owell this thing is a lot cheeper to build than a full 60 and get the clearence of a 44. What have you guys heard about this setup?

how do you figure it is cheaper? you need a d44 and a 60 to build your axle. if you have the full 60 build it. the little bit of ground clearance lost with a 60 is well worth it when you consider the massive gains in strength. a grinder will help a bit with some of the ground clearance. i personally think it is a waste of time and $$$. if i were to build a hybrid (i'm not i have a 60) i would go with the 9" center because it is a stronger setup than a 44. plus you can get a 35spline locker for a ford 9". just my op.

well it might not be cheeper if you have to buy a whole D60 but I came across a set of 60 knuckles that a friend of mine gave me for 75 bucks. If I Had a whole 60 I might build it but I want to be weight concious I know its unsprung weight but it is still gross weight and the more your rig weighs unsprung or not the more you break just my thoughts you can run 2.5 rockwells they still break its cause all that stuff weighs so much. I am trying to find a happy middle. Plus why should I fallow all the other sheep and do what the Magizines say to do I am not quite that trendy. Just a different way to look at it make it strong but light too not just keep adding steel and weight F that.

I think you are thinking along the right lines for sure!

Sure, lighter is better, free knuckles, etc...go for it!!

Do you have a Cruiser pumpkin? I would use it over a D44 personally, then you REALLY have something the magazines don't have.

Plus D44 and Cruiser clearance is basically the same.

To answer your origional question, yes, you are moving your weak link to an internal part if you put 35 spline outers on your rig.

If I were going to do this, I would go Cruiser inner and D60 ourter and make it 30 spline through and through.

I talked to a guy the other day that had Redline (gasp) make him some 35 spline side geas for his Cruiser ARB and is doing a D60/Cruiser hybrid.

SOunds cool.

Ya I think its a good idea as well. I have consitered using cruiser inner but I question pinion strength.

I have thought about doing this as well. I would use a RC44 housing and use the D60 outers. The only problems I see are having the 35 spline shafts machined down to 30 spline shafts. I know All Pro has done this with a mini truck application and I have "heard" a few people have snapped the axle shaft where the shaft necked down to the 30 splines. Now if you can get some 35 spline side gears for the D44, then you won't have to worry about this.

one option could be a 33 spline detroit in the 44 this would make the inner axle much stronger I also though of this but machinine and building cost detered me