Hey all,
Just an update on my SAS. I recently ordered springs, shock hoops, shackles, and some other stuff from AOR. Kevin and the rest of the guys at AOR are really knowledgeable and good to work with. I should have al this stuff by mid May.

Here is the problem I’m having: I have two Dana 44 axles. One is from a Chevy, which has the diff on the correct side for my truck, but is low pinion. Every one I talk to that makes drive shafts recommends that I do a high pinion if I want to avoid vibrations. I bought a high pinion housing from a Ford and I am planning on switching the center sections so I have the High Pinion. What would be the easiest way to separate the centers from the tubes? Should I drill the out or torch them out. I really don’t care about destroying the tubes in the Ford axle but the Chevy ones I need to keep, as I will reuse them.

In advance, Thanx for the help

I was thinking the same thing for my SAS, I do could not figure out if this is something I can do myself or just pay someone else to do it. I called around most places want a pretty penny to do it. Hopefully someone will chime in and explain if this can be easily done and if so I am going for it.

I know a buddyjust got a taco, and the t-case has a driver's side drop, I would think swapping cases, or adding a ford side NP205 (divorced) might be cheaper than re-tubing an axle.

As for the re-tube, a lot of guys are running low pinion front ends, depending on how much lift you are going to run it might not be TOO bad.

your main factor with a straight cut 44 in a front end is gonna be strength, not driveline vibration.

Edit: I have no clue if a taco and T100 case are interchangeable, but it is worth asking.

Originally posted by mkrzys

Here is the problem I’m having: I have two Dana 44 axles. One is from a Chevy, which has the diff on the correct side for my truck, but is low pinion. Every one I talk to that makes drive shafts recommends that I do a high pinion if I want to avoid vibrations. I bought a high pinion housing from a Ford and I am planning on switching the center sections so I have the High Pinion. What would be the easiest way to separate the centers from the tubes? Should I drill the out or torch them out. I really don’t care about destroying the tubes in the Ford axle but the Chevy ones I need to keep, as I will reuse them.



If you run a CV shaft in the front can't you point the diff at the t-case output and turn the knuckles to correct the caster? Might be a hell of a lot easier plus would almost be as effective as a HP setup. Pointed at the t-case and HP not withstanding...

Lots of write ups on the web for turning knuckles (think IH Scout).

JAT.

r@m

enjoy...

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2000/hpd44front/hpd44front.cfm

The vibration thing is nothing to wory about unless you are going to go more than 15mph in 4 wheel drive. the reason to go high pinion is clearance. By the time you get a tube pressed out in good enough condition to reuse you would have been better off to just buy some new tube from currie. This would be cheaper than all the acytelene and oxygen or cobalt drill bits that you would go through. If you were going to narrow each side at least 3 inches then you could reuse the tube no problem you just cut it off and remachine it for the seal. Make sure the chevy and ford 44 have the same diameter tubes if you still plan to go that route.

first measure lots to make sure the tubes will swap. then get a grinder and remove everything from the chev diff that isn't tube, cast grinds fairly easy so its not hard, you are basically just cutting the diff off the tubes.
for the ford cut the tubes just outside of the diff, assemble a hacksaw inside the tube (diff guts out) slice thru the remaining stub of tube in a few places and push it out, this is after you drill / grind / cut the plug weld out, I would suggest paying a machine shop for that part after the tubes are cut off. that way if they wreck a bit or two its their problem not yours.

don't try to save the low pinion housing - cut around the tube till all ya have is tube, torch out the holes in the ford one..

Just cut the long ford tube to the right length and weld the inner knuckle back on. That way you only need to swap one tube.
:D :D :D

Originally posted by mkrzys
...I bought a high pinion housing from a Ford and I am planning on switching the center sections so I have the High Pinion.

Good you should do a high pinion if you can.


What would be the easiest way to separate the centers from the tubes?

Plasma cutter.. it takes about 2 minutes. Then you need a hydrolic press that is very strong. Or you can "pull" the tubes with 2 jeep winches. One on each side at the same time.


Should I drill the out or torch them out. I really don’t care about destroying the tubes in the Ford axle but the Chevy ones I need to keep, as I will reuse them.

dont worry about destroying the ford tubes. You will destroy them with a plasma cutter.

AS for the chevy tubes you dont care about the chevy center section as you wont be using it either. GRIND the center section and bust it up with hammers. But dont grind too deep. or youll fawk up the tubes.

Pressing the tubes back in you might have to lathe them just a bit to get them in the ford center section.

Is it worth it.. YES!

In advance, Thanx for the help [/B]

Thanks for all the help, I will get started on it next weekend


Matt