I know that the front axle in these is a Dana 44 but I saw one today that didn't look modified but the housing was much different from mine. I thought it looked like a Marmon Harrington axle because of the way the cast housing is but it is a dana 44 with a large truss like feature build into the cast housig towards the drivers side. It looks like it would reduce the clearance quite a bit and I am not sure if this was like this to begin with or if someone is trying to fix the poor design of the front axle? Is this really any better and the standard Dana 44?

its just a trussed axle for the off-road package. RamV has it and I have not heard him complain about clearance issues with it in his rig and he wheels that thing like its a Heep.

This is the stock Off-Road axle:
http://www.trailseeker.com/4x4/CarnageGulch/images/Carnage%20Gulch%20051.jpg

The low point is the same as the bottom of the diff on the regular 44. Daimler trussed it because they bent housings during testing. I would rather have the more material then more clearance, I will hit it anyway (note the gouges in the tierod, Crane diff cover etc). In mud, it might not be as good, but still seems like it's nice to have more strength. Still more clearance then a 60, and the pinion is higher.

ramv did you ever find the cromo shafts for your rig yet?

I am really curious....