converting 8lug 44 to 5lug???

[ruffram]

Bought a 83 3/4 ton, want to change the front hubs to 5x5.5 with lockouts instead of teh 8 lug autos. What would be a good donor truck to find, and what will I need?? Knuckles, stub shafts, rotors obviously, calipers???? Anyone done this swap before. Would a 5 lug knuckle slip on my ball joints?? Do I need new knuckles?? Thanks guys, not much experience with these old ones, this truck was made about the same time I was, so some elder wheelers experience is much appreciated.

[orange318]

First off, why go to a 5 on 5.5? If it is a 1983 with a full floating hub, not the garbage fulltime set up, leave the 8 lugs and just pull out the auto hubs, and get yourself a pair of normal locking hubs, average price around 65 dollars. Its a easy job. for the record the 8 lug used a larger rotor/ different caliper bracket, but the spindle/knuckle was the same, the bearings, brake pads , the same the rotor and hub obviously different, stub shaft/ whele joint the same. actually converted a couple of D44's to 8 lug to match the D60 rears when swapped in. If that rig has the 8 lug set up keep it, 5x 5.5 is ok, but why make the truck weaker? The Hub swap is easy. Good luck and enjoy your new ride!

[FULLSIZE]

cause maybe its going into something with 5 lug or he's got expensive 5 lug wheels? there's lots of reasons..............

ruffram, where are you located? i'm interested in your 8 lug stuff.:beer:

[ruffram]

Yeah, got a real good set of ground hawgs on nice wheels, and a 9" with 5.13s in it. I am putting it in instead of the D60 in the rear. Then gear the 44, change the wheels pattern and boom. Yeah, 5 lugs is less than 8, but for a mud truck, its not a huge issue. Anybody got the parts to do it?? I would swap if you had rotors and calipers in good shape. Thanks for the tip, I thought the knuckles were diff. I had already planned on switch hte hub mechanism to manual, heard its real easy. Thanks, keep it coming.

[Mr. Mindless]

which coast ya on, ruffram? I've got an '84 RC that wants an 8 lug rear..... and then I'll want to swap the d44 front to 8.

[ruffram]

THe coast of MIssouri. Almost arkansas and oklahoma. I would love to do that, I am aftaid shipping would kill us. I have heard conflicting stories on the brakes. SOme say I will need a diff caliper bracket, some say just a new caliper. ANyone know for sure??

[440scout]

ive got all that stuff except the locking hubs ill sell you for $25 plus shipping

[ruffram]

What exactly do you have, hubs, rotors, and brake bracket I think are all I need. Am I wrong?? I will let you know, I think I have it locally for the same price. I am scared of shipping costs. If I can't get em here, I will do your deal. DO you know exactly what I need and don't???