HP 44 or HP 60?

[jebdrup]

Here is the deal. I am in Kuwait right now and will be back in the states in July 2007. I have a HP 30 w/ 4.88s at my dad's shop. I want a to put in either a HP44 or HP60 in the front. What should I have my dad look for or should I just have one built and shipped to me? I have a 98' TJ 4.0L with a Ford 8.8 rear, 4.5 RE LA, and 35" BFG M/T. I would like to be able to run 36" Iroks or simlar size tire. I plan on putting a Atlas or Dana 300 in when I get back. I need some advice for planning for a mods when I get home.

Thanks

[southernkrawler]

If your only gunna run 36s and keep the 8.8 in the rear I would go for the 44 front out of a F-150, (i think the lug pattern will be the same as the rear, anyone know for certain).

[Mambeu]

If your only gunna run 36s and keep the 8.8 in the rear I would go for the 44 front out of a F-150, (i think the lug pattern will be the same as the rear, anyone know for certain).
8.8 rear (I'm assuming it's from an Explorer) has a 5x4.5" bolt pattern. If you want to keep that rear end, a good plan would be a HP44 out of a mid-70s F-150 (not '78 or '79, those axles had cast-on radius arm mounts. Stay away from those unless you want to run Ford radius arms or trust yourself to weld bracketry to cast) with a 5x5.5" bolt pattern. Narrow the 44 to take Grand Wagoneer shafts (which would make WMS-WMS about 62"), and put spacers on the 8.8 to make the width the same and change the bolt pattern. I've seen several guys run this axle setup with 35s and 36s, and it seems to work real well.

[jebdrup]

I do want to keep the 8.8(Explore). I see no need to get rid rid of it. 37" tires are as big as I want to go for a DD. I mostly drive on the base so not many highway miles. I have a towrig and trailer so driving to the trail is not a concern. I just want a good setup that could handle good amount of terain. I want to make a trip to Moab and northern California When I get back. I would like a final crawl ratio of around 100:1. I am looking at the Atlas 4 speed or the Stak 3 speed box. So I need a front axle to handle the low crawl ratio in the rocks. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks

[UCTJ]

Or you could just run the HP 30 until it takes a dump and then do a build up. You could also get a HP9 from Currie if your wanting a completely new front axle and I am sure you could get the 5x4.5 if you still want to or get it with 5x5.5 and run rear spacers on the 8.8 which is slightly more narrow than the front axle or a stock rear TJ axle.

[jebdrup]

Or you could just run the HP 30 until it takes a dump and then do a build up. You could also get a HP9 from Currie if your wanting a completely new front axle and I am sure you could get the 5x4.5 if you still want to or get it with 5x5.5 and run rear spacers on the 8.8 which is slightly more narrow than the front axle or a stock rear TJ axle.

I thought about just running the HP 30 but I have to rear gear the rear to 4.88. I am running 4.56 right now. I just do not want to money in the HP 30 and swap out later. I like the fact you get bigger breaks and better steering. Width is not a problem because I am looking at the new 8.8 kit that elimnates the C-clips, dual bolt pattern, and increases the width to I think 61.5". Thanks for the info. I am looking a Dynatrac right now.

[Hackfabricaton]

Yeah, Get custom 44's set up for your lift. 60's are a bit of overkill unless you really are going extreme (and in that case I'd opt for a 60 rear also), which it sounds like you're not on your DD. Dynatrac is good if you're on the west coast and can pick it up. And I'm certain for the right amount of $$$ they can hook you up right. I talked to them for a custom 44/60 combo for my project about eight years ago...It was gonna run around $6k, delivered to Michigan and spec'd the way I wanted them. I ended up rebuilding the stock 30, new gears, ARB, bearings, etc, and adding disc brakes, along with doing the same on my AMC 20 with an ARB, new gears, and one piece axles with drum brakes.

In hindsight, it would have been well worth it dollar wise to get the new heavy duty stuff.

The money you spend now trying to save, is the money you've wasted when you have to spend more in the future.

[ricesyj]

I had the same setup as you in my YJ. 8.8 rear and wanted a better front axle. After looking at it from abunch of different perspectives I found it was easier to sale the 8.8 and get HP 44 front $75 and a 9" rear $125 leave them full width. No wheel spacers, or having to narrow the axles. I did not want to put anymore money into my 8.8. Im running 36 Iroks and have not had any issues and now I have full widths which I definetly like better. Just my 2 cents.