just wondering, CTMs are like $250ea(is that right?) and chromemoly shafts are like $500-600 isn't that the cost of the average used D60? i can see the ground clearance advantage, but wouldn't the strength be worth the inch you lose? i have near a grand into my 44 with purchase price, gears, high steer, u-joints, ball joints and bearings. i cant see dumping another grand into it when it still won't hold up to use and abuse with 38s. am i missing something?:confused:

I "use and abuse" my 44 out of a J truck and it's been spectacular. Of course, I always have spare shafts and outers, the day I dont... :nuke: :D

I've got no more than $300 into mine. Polish a turd? No. I learned that lesson with the stock crap. I'm saving my duckets (saved already) and waiting to swoop in on a score of a 60. It'll happen. Mabe not soon, but I'm patient :D

the problem was the 44 is all i have right now and i'm sure i can get a good chunk of that back when i sell it, but i just started adding it up and it dosent make sense.:rolleyes:

actually the CTMs are about $150 a piece.

Personally I already have the alloy shafts etc in my D44 so the CTMs make sense till I find a D60 at pull-n-save, then I'll build that and sell the loaded 44 - but untill then I think the D44 and CTMs will treat me well - definitly better than 297xs:D

Even doing most all the work on the 60 myself though, I am figureing on a bill around $1200+ - assuming new gears, locker, cutting down the housing, fabing mounts, cutting down the shafts, figuring out how to adapt to same wheel size and bolt patern as the rear or vs versa, and steering linkage - and that's if I make a good score on the 60.

not saying the CTMs might treat someone bad, but just wondering if they and the axles are worth the money over a 60(thanks for the price correction).:beer:

If ya already have the 44 where you want it and just want to stop breaking u-joints, I'd say it's worth it. If you don't have a 44 or 60 and are going to build one up from scratch - I'd lean towards the 60, unless you know the 44 will be strong enough (44's are much easier to find :) )

I know how ya feel though:beer:

$1k, just to make the 44 survive..... wouldn't be much of a question if D60s were pleantiful and cheap....

ok, no way no doubt a 60 will always be stronger....


i got a deal on 2 used ford high pinion nines about a year ago... i couldnt pass up the rear has held up to my 39.5's with no problem... the front... well ive broken many joints and axles... i needed a little bit more strength to make it through this comming summer........ i spent lots of $ replacing destroyed shafts and joints last summer... hopefully it wont be as bad this year...


now i will have a fairly tuff set up


the reason i didnt go 60....... yet is because i will be going with wider axles, replacing the front and rear, changing my tranny, t case, and doing a coilover suspension.... i didnt want to run different bolt patterns, or piss around with my brackets twice on the 60... if i put it in now it would be much wider than the rear and i would have to cut all the brackets back off it when ready for my coilover... so in my case these will hold me over till i do a complete rebuild on the jeep....


you just got to weigh out what will work for you, ctm's and warn may not gotten rid of my weak link, but they sure will make it somewhat stronger....

when i do go 60 it will have ctm's and hopefully 300m shafts... so ill have alot more than 1000 in my 60

44s are lighter. Don't need all that dead, unsprung weight hanging down in the mud...

Originally posted by badassjeepguy
and hopefully 300m shafts...

What's up with 300m shafts, I've never heard of them.

hehehehe, there may be a umm camo'd set somewhere in cali.... but it is possible in the future to see more of them.... its pretty much up in the air and hopefully just a matter of time... :D