Running 39.5 TSL's on my '73 3/4T fullsize with a D44 front(open) I have broken the stock axles and was wondering if the Chromoly Axles they make for the D44 would be worth it or if i should just save up for a D60(used or new). This vehicle see's dirt everyday and wheels every weekend and is my Daily Driver. I will go will crossover when i can, and both D44 and D60 sytems cost about the same so i 'm fucked either way :D What are your guys thoughts? I am not planning on going to a bigger tire, just want something more bulletproof. Thanks for your time.

:evil: SETHZILLA!

Hey Seth, I live in SLO also, I've seen you around. I'm the flat black K10 with half doors you may have seen on the beach. I put chromos in my D44 when I locked the front. I went chromos because I already had hysteer. Chromo's will last with 39.5" tires but its the ball joints that I would worry about most. All in all, if you can find a good price on a D60 (under 700 bucks) go that route.

You could do the cromos, but like said above the ball joints is your next problem. If you add a locker you thenhave the small/weak carrier and ring/pinion. It is your best bet to dump the money into a 60

I weighed it out and being poor I opted for the chromo's... I thrash the poo outta my truck and its heavy, even entered it in a timed up hill climb comp this weekend and took 3rd overall. I say between the shafts and the CTM's (I got into the CTM's for free basically) I am EXTREMELY pleased with the front end.

Dont get me wrong if I could afford all it would take to put a 60 under my truck Id be all over it. But my D44 does me well and I cant complain at this point for all the more money I have in it. You gotta think ... a JY 60 is going to cost you 1k... then Id go through it... plus brakes and steering mods... your talkin a big purchase. I took mine slow and bought the shafts 3 at one time and the last on another purchase while still wheeling it with the stockers. (no down time) Im pretty happy with my lil D44 though and its fun to thrash and see people wait for the pop and not get it :flipoff2:

From the comp Saturday... my rig is by no means small and light either...38 TSL's
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Pdaddy/rcrc3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Pdaddy/rcrc1.jpg

That's a lot of tire for a D44, chromo's or not. One thing to keep in mind is that if you need chromo shafts than you also need some bling u-joints like CTM's which will add another chunk of change to the mix.

if i go with the D44 chromoly's, CTM's and replace the balljoints at the same time, do you think the combo will last for awhile?

:evil: SETHZILLA!

Yes, I think that the combo will last for a while. Keep in mind that with the tire size that you are running the ball joints will wear quicker. Buy NAPA ball joints and warranty exchange them once a year like I do. Like stated above, you must use CTM's or alike u-joints in order to make it worth it. Shafts are not covered under warranty if you snap a u-joint. I plan on keeping my D44 for a while now because I got to much invested to turn back now (gears, ball joints, locker, hysteer, MOO truss, BTF cover, shafts, CTM's). In hind sight, I think I'd just pony up for a king pin D60 (even though I probably still have to do most of what I did with my D44) that way I could run lower gearing without strenght issue and bigger tires.
Just depends on what kind of wheelin you do.
BTW: just got back from Rubicon and nothing broke. I believe that it is all about the right combo of parts.
Mud boggers run 44's on D44 without problems.

Save up and go with the d60.

Just my .02

i used to have a 44.

after over a dozen shafts (no less than one per trip, every trip) i decided to go chromo.

after i got some chromos, my center pin sheared and my lockright broke into like 10 pieces. so i fixed that, (just threw it all back in there and welded the shit out of it cause i was pulling it on the trailer for a moab trip when it broke, time was a luxury i didnt have)

then i found out the chromos dont like 38.5 sx's either. well actually it was the 760x with welded caps that went first, and took the shafts with it.

then i bought a 60, have been beating the shit out of it for 6 months, with stock inners and joints, chromo 35sp outers, and i cant break the thing.

the sad thing is i have about the same amount invested in both axles, but only got 100 bucks when i sold the 44 last month.

ever heard the term, polishing a turd?

edit: by the way, ball joints are a minimum annual replacement item, a king pin, lasts damn near forever.

i used to have a 44.

after over a dozen shafts (no less than one per trip, every trip) i decided to go chromo.

after i got some chromos, my center pin sheared and my lockright broke into like 10 pieces. so i fixed that, (just threw it all back in there and welded the shit out of it cause i was pulling it on the trailer for a moab trip when it broke, time was a luxury i didnt have)

then i found out the chromos dont like 38.5 sx's either. well actually it was the 760x with welded caps that went first, and took the shafts with it.

then i bought a 60, have been beating the shit out of it for 6 months, with stock inners and joints, chromo 35sp outers, and i cant break the thing.

the sad thing is i have about the same amount invested in both axles, but only got 100 bucks when i sold the 44 last month.

ever heard the term, polishing a turd?

edit: by the way, ball joints are a minimum annual replacement item, a king pin, lasts damn near forever.


Amen, I see myself going down the same road. My only question to you is, do you think it would have held up to chromos with CTM's.
Keep in mind that I agree that a D60 with king pins is a "forget about it"
Just wondering with my set up with 36's sx's.
Sorry for the hyjack. :D

d60, don't waste another dime with that 44 under a full size

you must remember that guys running 44's under jeeps and toyota break them, even with chromo's

i have 60's under my toyota, 1-ton gm, jeep, buggy, and if I could find a light enough set of 60's I would put them under my suzuki

yes everyone runs them that can find them and their is a reason

I've run a D60 with 39.5" tires for 15yrs with 454/auto in a K30. Mostly mud and snow. Never broke. I use it hard, but not stupid. Get a D60 and you'll have peace of mind knowing the chance of breakage is very slim (especially with an open frt). I've never heard of anyone regretting going to D60 vs chromo's into a D44. As others have mentioned, the cost will be nearly the same going chromo and you have alot of other weak links in the D44 with that size tire. D60 with 39.5's is nearly unbreakable if you don't get stupid (rocks may be another thing, I don't have much experince there).

Just keep looking for a reasonably priced d60. I found mine (in just about new condition needing nothing but topping off the diff oil) for about $750 so they are out there...the dude wanted to sell me the matching 14FF for the same price...needless to say I didn't buy that.

Amen, I see myself going down the same road. My only question to you is, do you think it would have held up to chromos with CTM's.
Keep in mind that I agree that a D60 with king pins is a "forget about it"
Just wondering with my set up with 36's sx's.
Sorry for the hyjack. :D
i think the shafts may have held, but thats the only thing. im sure i would have gone through more sets of hubs than i already had broken with the stock shafts, then the carrier would go, if i didnt snap teeth first. dana 44 chromos and ctm's are like bandaids on a severed limb, it will only delay the inevitable.

Thanks for asking this question. I am putting in a 4.3 liter, dual toy cases and will be welding the front. I was going to use a D44 but I think I'll toss it and just go with a D60. Thanks for all of the input.