My buddy has a YJ sprung over with 2" springs and 35's, he wants to put Dana 44 in the front. He just got an 8.8 put in the rear not all that long ago and wants to be able to keep the 5x4.5 bolt pattern. I found him a wangoneer housing, and I have some knuckles, and chevy spindles. Would we be able to build this dana 44 and keep the bolt pattern the same, or would it be easier to do a 5x5.5 using ford outers, and change the rear to 5x5.5. I think the rear is out of a mustang.

Originally posted by Oxblood
My buddy has a YJ sprung over with 2" springs and 35's, he wants to put Dana 44 in the front. He just got an 8.8 put in the rear not all that long ago and wants to be able to keep the 5x4.5 bolt pattern.

Probably possible, but waaaay more trouble than it's worth. Tell your buddy to get some new wheels, switch to 5 on 5.5 or 6 on 5.5 up front and just redrill his 8.8 bolt pattern.


Originally posted by Oxblood
I found him a wangoneer housing

:laughing: BWAAAAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Originally posted by Oxblood
and I have some knuckles, and chevy spindles. Would we be able to build this dana 44 and keep the bolt pattern the same?

Same as the 5 on 4.5 rear? while it might be possible, I refer you to my earlier statement.

Originally posted by Oxblood
or would it be easier to do a 5x5.5 using ford outers, and change the rear to 5x5.5. I think the rear is out of a mustang.

Yes.

Good luck,
Jake

I don't think you'll beable to just have the rear re-drilled because there is not enough flange material on the stock shaft (I used to have an 8.8) he'll probably have to get custom shafts and change the rotors or drums accordingly. but if he got it from a mustang than it's 28 spline so I'm 100% positive. My 8.8 was from and explorer and 31 splined

Well, if the 8.8 is from a mustang, he might as well swap that out for a real axle too. The mustang 8.8s are only 28 spline, 1 spline better than the D35. Not even worth the upgrade.
Scott

FYI, normal pre 94 stock mustang axle would only have 4 lugs.

it is 28 splines. I told him to trash it, but he seems to like it. I think he should just swap out the rear and put a 9" in the back or either a semi floating 14 bolt, I know where he could get a 6 lug one for real cheap. It has 33 spline shafts too

TO make the a 44 5.4.5 either go with ford outters or scout outters.

The problem with making them 5 on 4.5 is your stuck with external hubs instead of the stronger internal type like chevys.

To be honest this is all been discussed before so do a search.

5.4 lug pattern =:rainbow: just go waggy front and rear and be 6 lug:flipoff2:

I like that little rainbow equation, that's pretty damn funny I told him when he first asked me about it to ditch the 8.8 and go with a bigger axle.