I'm going with new axles in my Cherokee D-44 front and am considering going to a full width 44 rear with alloy axles instead of a D-60 'cause I'd have to change the axles in it anyway and it will cost just about half as much to stay with a 44. (I'd have to change axles in either. If I go 60 I'll need new R&P, locker, and brakes and either buy new wheels/tires or change over to 5-lug SF).

My question is: Are alloy axles the way to go or would hardened axles (ala Dutchman) be better.

I know from my drag racing experience 9" alloy shafts will break where Dutchman shafts will twist 360 degrees before they need to be replaced. (We paint a line on them and replace them when they rotate all the way around). One lasts about as long as the other and when drag racing I'll take twisting over breakage any day.

So what is it? Do the same principles apply? And will I be able to live with a 44 and 38" tires? I do not rock crawl.

I can't directly answer your question but just wanted to say that my Dutchmans have held up quite well with some occasional heavy abuse.:)

You have two things to consider, strength of the housing and R&P strength. D44 alloy axle shafts are approaching D60 OEM shafts in strength, breakage will move to the next weakest point. You decide, but is a rear 60 that much more then a 44 to build?

To answer your question directly, first search the Gen board. Second how often are you going to pull the axle's to check for twist, if your like the rest of us will not be until the axle breaks. I'd rather have a stronger axle before one that is going to over time twist.

38's under a scout with a D44 sounds like a snapper to me

I twisted and broke a half dozen stock D44 axles with my 35"

then I had a ARB cross pinion let go.

35 spline D60 is the way to go IMHO

dont waste your $$ on the D44

Musky how was the pipeline, did you bring the rig back to Chitown?

ended up going to the wheeling land I told you about.

cut a new little loop in a trail that loops down into a kettle over mud and moss covered rocks another little muddy rock pile then a off camber climb back out over a foot tall downed tree half way up

I stuck a log into the rim and my spotter said "just drive it bust off" the log broke as he thought it also broke off both valve stems airing down the tire and tire locker.

got to the top before the tirelocker was flat so didnt loose the tire.

but I left the scout at the barn and pulled the Jeep back with my disco.

actually pulled the jeep really well.

Joe,

If ya start with a clean slate a 60 wouldn't cost all that much more than a 44, however, like I said, I would either have to switch over the 60 to SF and change brakes or buy new tires and wheels and if I stayed with 44s I already have gears and lockers. Even if I sell at a good price all the 44 pieces it costs more than twice as much to switch to 60s.

I don't think I'd break or twist either Dutchman or Warns - as you said, housing or R&P would go first.

Damn, sure would hate to drop $400 - $600 on a44 and then find out I should have spent the $1,200 to do it right first time!

Originally posted by scoutver5.7


Damn, sure would hate to drop $400 - $600 on a44 and then find out I should have spent the $1,200 to do it right first time!

My SF d-60 was only ~800.00!

Disk brake kit 380.00
Bearing ends 60.00
Dutchman 1.5" 35 spline alloy axles 320.00
D-60 from Pic N Pull with 4:10's 45.00

I did add a ARB and the install of the ARB and bearing ends set-up was 200.00

Yeah Old Scout, Yours was only $800.

I have two D-60 housings outa my old GMCs.

If I go with SF D-60:
Need new R&Ps (5.13s) $200
Bearings and Seals $200
A carrier (spool - spline count) $200
Axles (Dutchman) $320
Disc Brakes (Ford MS) $380
Ends (Jegs) $ 60
_____
$1,360

If I switch to FF D-60:
R&P $200
Bearings and Seals $200
Spool $200
Axles $320
Brakes $380
New Wheels $260
3/4 New Tires $800
New Front Outers to match $50
_____
$2,410

If'n I stay with SF D-44:
Carrier (spool - spline count) $135
Axles $325
Brakes $380
_____
$840

Hmmmmm, looks like I under estimated the cost of keeping the 44. Also with a spool I'm more likely to break something. Guess I'll go with the SF 60.

Thanks Old Scout, maybe ya ain't completely senile. Oh and thanks also for the Ford MS brakes kit tip.

BTW, Nobody has an opinion on the relative merits of Warn v. Dutchman yet? Man I can't believe that!

thats easy...warn does not build axles they sell them

Gary at dutchman builds axles

I have dutchmans in my sfD60 ....when you look at them you go

OH YEA!

I don't know if Dutchman axles are SF or FF so this point may be mute, BUT. If you break a WARN axle you still have the tire mounted securely. Although it won't help on the trail the WARNS do have a lifetime warrenty, I don't know if Dutchman does or not.
Just a couple thoughts.
Darrell

All this talk of replacing the axles with high-strength units ...and it still does nothing to strenghten the small pinion...D44 pinions suck in the rear with big tires and low gearing...

I totaly agree...my 392 made mincemeat outa my D44 in the rear

D60 is the only way to go.

The D44 was allways cooking hot the 60 runs way cooler

dutchman can make you just about any axle you want SF or FF

and if they cant moser or strange can