i have a few problems with this Dodge 8 lug d44 HD. first the extra wide spring perches distance, and bad caliper hold down design and studs instead of a u bolt on the pass side perch and the wierd pinion yoke now i can't find rotors anywhere except the dealer and they was 500 for the rotor hub ass. and all i need is the rotor. And i've already set up crossover steering for it.
Question is can i get the caliper brackets, calipers, rotors, and hub from a 8 lug chevy and put them on my didge knuckles, and spindles.??? or i can even get the chevy spindles with it just need to reuse the knuckles.
from what i understand (never looked at a chevy) chevy uses a caliper bracket that bolts to the knuckle inbetween the spindle and knuckle. On the dodge it uses a bracket that is bolted to the knuckle totally seperat from the spindle, there are 2 areas where the bolts holding the bracket on that stick out past where i would imagine the chevy bracket would go that would need to be cut off but i can do that if it could work. i searched and found a couple posts saysing the chevy bracket won't work on the dodge knuckle because its cast different but i think they mean the bolts areas and it looks like they can be cut off. heres a link to some pictures. does anyone have any pics of a chevy set up.
thanks for any help

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticjeepers/lst?.dir=/dodge+caliper+bracket&.src=gr&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticjeepers/lst%3f.dir=/dodge%2bcaliper%2bbracket%26.src=gr%26.view=t

I don't see why not. Even J20 stuff should work. The calipers are even the same as the J10, but the brackets are further out to accomodate the larger rotor.

The Chevy brackets should also have the brake dust shield built into them.

Bryan

anyone else have any ideas befor i go buy a chevy 44 and try this out,
thanks

First, do you need 8 lug?? There are tons of options if you want 5x5.5 or 6x5.5 bolt patterns. I have the same knuckles as you, and will be useing them, with the stock Dodge spindles, hubs, and rotors from an 83 1/2 ton, to get 5x5.5 pattern.

There are some easy Chevy swaps too that would work with your existing knuckles, one would be to purchase Chevy spindles, backing plate/caliper bracket (it's one piece), and run Chevy hubs, rotors, and calipers, for a 6x5.5 pattern or run the Chevy stuff with Ford hubs, rotors, and still use the Chevy calipers.

I might be wrong here (someone please correct me if so) but all those 6 bolt spindles are the same bolt pattern, so anything with that 6 bolt spindle pattern will work. If you really want 8 lug, find an old F250 (70s) and get all the stuff from there. They had flat top knuckles, discs, and 8 lugs on a D44. The cool thing about this Dodge swap (I put the above mentioned Dodge knuckle assembly on a 75 RC D44 from a Ford with drum brakes) is the fact that I got flat top knuckles (for Hi-steer), disc brakes, manual hubs, and 5x5.5 bolt pattern all in one unit. A perfect combo for me.

Willis

yes i really need 8 lug to match my rear 60. i really need to keep the dodge knuckles cause i already set them up with crossover steering. i'll go to the pick n pull today and see if they have any chevys, old 4wd's are getting rare here in VB junkyards