I know that a well built D44 will cost more than a D60 and that's why a lot of people dis the 44 to go 60 without a second thought. But now it seems the trend will be to build lighter and lighter vehicles and the need for a stout D44 is here. Beside installing chro-mo shafts and CTM u-joints what else needs to be done to approach the brute strength of the D60?

Does the housing flex too much?

Is the pinion known for walking?

Do the carrier bearing caps walk under high load?

Thanks,

'zard

IMNSHO, it needs kingpins. Or smallish (38's max) tires--the balljoints just don't last long enough for my tastes.

Past that, there's a lot of guys running the Warn/CTM combo in D44 fronts, with no problems, really hard. I'd be leery of doing that to a stock carrier (get a Detroit/OX/ARB/spool) but for whatever reason, the ring-n-pinions seem to hold up pretty well.

I honestly think that a tire wider than about 13", is the bigger killer of D44 parts, than height--but you can't get a 40x12.50.

The only reason I run a 60 front is because of what scott said. 38's and larger KILL the balljoints and bearings.
You don't want that bastard scout II housing. If you want to build the ULTIMATE 44 imo take a chevy housing for the 1/2" walled tubes and better webbing then take a full carrier locker get wars and ctm's, quality gears and be set for a lot of abuse with tire size within reason.
60's ARE big heavy roaches.

Originally posted by Aggro
60's ARE big heavy roaches.

I like my big heavy roach :D

I keep it light by getting sprung weight down

Originally posted by lizard
I know that a well built D44 will cost more than a D60 and that's why a lot of people dis the 44 to go 60 without a second thought.

It is obvious that you havent bought parts for a 60 before. EVERYTHING for a 60 costs more than a 44. The cost of Warn/CTM setup usually almost equates to the cost of a front 60. But the ring and pinions, axles, u joints, lockers, bearings for a 60 are always more than a 44.

The front 60 is a huge heavy pig. Wish I could dump the weight but keep the strength. Oh well, at least I will look cool when I sink in the snow :D

. Oh well, at least I will look cool when I sink in the snow

This would imply you will be wheeling in the snow?!??!

Originally posted by Aggro


This would imply you will be wheeling in the snow?!??!

OUCH! :flipoff2:

Originally posted by The Rockslut


It is obvious that you havent bought parts for a 60 before. EVERYTHING for a 60 costs more than a 44.

Well I thought this was obvious!! What I meant is that for $700-$1200 used, a stock D60 is cheaper/stronger than building a D44 - within reason.

From what I gather the ultimate D44 would have the chevy web center section, 1/2 tubes (not HD 3/4 wall), warn axles, CTM u-joints and D60 kingpins/spindles. At that point a well built truss should be built to overcome excessive flex (and it sounds like were near the weight of a D60 :p ).

Soooo... have torch will travel! I'll be sure to tell y'all how it goes!

Maybe I missed it somewhere up there but...

What is the axle going in again?

:rolleyes:

Balljoints...agree...no way to upgrade them, either.

But the absoloute killer - is the too-small for 38+ wheel bearings. You can get by if you religously re-pack and adjust them....but if you're wheeling a 36"+ tire pretty hard you are going to go through wheel bearings all the time. I did.

Originally posted by BillaVista
Balljoints...agree...no way to upgrade them, either.

But the absoloute killer - is the too-small for 38+ wheel bearings. You can get by if you religously re-pack and adjust them....but if you're wheeling a 36"+ tire pretty hard you are going to go through wheel bearings all the time. I did.

Would the bearings on a F-250 (dual piston caliper) D-44 be the same as a F-150 (single piston caliper) D-44????




Eric