I'd like to swap a dana 44 from a GM , year 88 , 4x4 , 'Pathfinder' ' that has the diff on the right side ( driver ) into a YJ ' , 92 , which has dana 30 .
As i understood the only Dana 44 with 5 bolt pattern is the Ford 150 , which has 5X 5.5"
the same one on the CJ , not for YJ .
To deal with the Dana 44 for the front , i think i can do o.k ( after i'll get F-150 rotors ).
Regarding the rear - i have a wide Dana 44 and the axle shafts have flanges that suit the YJ bolt pattern - 5 x 4.5" .
I want to match the rear wheels with the front wheels , and because of that , i need to replace the rear axleshafts that suit 5 X 4.5 " into a 5 x 5.5 " ( CJ ).

I have 3 options :
1- Buy two axle shafts in the right langth
and with flanges for the 5 x 5.5 " bolt
pattern .
2- To change the semi float dana 44 into a
full float - but accept of the axle shafts
which i need to buy , i want to make the
spindle and other stuff by my self - i
have all the needed machining .
3- Because of the difference in lengths
between the narrow D44 axleshafts to the
wide D44 axle shafts , i need to do an
adaptor - round flange with 10 bolts - 5
for the 4.5" and 5 for the 5.5"

1- What do you think ?
2- Did anybody encounter this before ?
3- Do you have pictures ?
4- Where can i get Ford F-150 rotors ?
3- Whare can i get parts ?

Thanks in advance

As far as the front end you'll need to get the bearing hubs and rotors from a Ford and put them onto a spindle from an early Chevy 73-76 or 74-77 Fullsize Jeep. I just did this to my Scout using '79 Bronco parts and it turned out great. As for the rear if you have the means I'd say convert it over to full float. I don't know how wide you front end is but there maybe a readily availible jukyard axle that will work in the rear that is already 5 lug. Good luck
Travis

If I was you to make everything simple I would convert the rear axle to a 9 in. ford. You would have a "strong" rear, multiple gear/locker combo's, Even be able to get a hi-pinion diff. if really necessary!! But that's just me.....Good Luck

what about 4th option?

just switch to 297x shafts gusset it and save the money for lockers. unless you need +5.13 gearing or want to run a tire larger than a 35" i wouldnt swap it out yet. that should be the cheapest option and youll still be 5 on 4.5" all the way around. unstead of wide 44 put an 8.8" back there and you should be pretty set and under $1000.

it all kinda depends on how you are already setup and what kind of wheeling you do.

[ 10-16-2001: Message edited by: JEEP_TJ_FREAK ]

Originally posted by tornado:
<STRONG>I'd like to swap a dana 44 from a GM , year 88 , 4x4 , 'Pathfinder' ' that has the diff on the right side ( driver ) into a YJ ' , 92 , which has dana 30.</STRONG>

I'm a bit confused on this axle. GM solid axles are all passenger's side drop as far as I know. The IFS GMs are driver's side, but not solid axles. Also, what do you mean by 'Pathfinder'? That's a Nissan model, not a GM. I think an '88 Nissan Pathfinder would be IFS. Finally, if you're looking for a Dana 44 with the 5 on 5.5 pattern and driver's side drop, why don't you just get a Ford axle? 78-79 are even high pinion.

with him being from isreal all the names are differnt.

Originally posted by gunracer1:
<STRONG>with him being from isreal all the names are differnt.</STRONG>

Ok that explains it, I didn't catch that little detail.

Do export model GM trucks have the front differential on the same side as export model YJs? The domestic models don't. Which side of the road do the isrealis drive on anyway?

guys , thanks for the prompt reply.

We drive the same as you - driver at the right side ( if you look from the front ).
I'm very surprised to know that you don't have the same GM model as we have .
The GM Dana 44 is a massive one and the YJ's here ( called 'Storm' ) come with Dana 44 semi float or a Dana 60 semi float as rear axle , the Dana 44 Has 1.31" shaft with 30 spline and the Dana 60 has 1.5" shaft with 35 splines .
I have 31" tires with a rear Gearless .
We can't get Ford 9" , cause there are few.

The reason i wanna do the swap ,is a constant fear of braking the front axle , when climbing a 1.5 meter rock .
I thought that if i'll take a Ford F-150 rotor and install it on the outer knuckle , i'll get a 5 x 5.5 " bolt pattern .
I called Currie and Dynatrac and i think that they take a YJ or CJ outer knuckle to adjust the bolt pattern - this thing i don't like caues it's not a storng setup .

Do you have pictures of a Ford Dana 44 front axle ? or Ford outer knucles ?
Where can i get the Ford rotors and can i get them brand new or used ?

Is it possible , to lathe the spindle for a full floater by my self ? what else is to consider ? and where can i get measurements ?

Thank's in advance guys

I think pathfinder refers to pathfinder 4x4 van conversions, which use driverside dana 44's on all there conversions. I personally would keep the 6 lug front (why change the front AND rear when you can just change the rear?) and see if you have enought room on your rear dana 44 flange to have it redrilled for 6x5.5 lug pattern. Also if you go to 5 lug front you will end up with a wider front end.

You're telling me that in Isreal, you can get a Jeep with a Dana 60 rear stock? I have also heard that in Brazil TJs are available with a D44 Front. Maybe I'm just <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"> but why aren't those options here? <IMG SRC="smilies/pissed.gif" border="0"> Doesn't sound like the POS D35 is even available overseas.

Anyway, I agree with NE-RokToy. Get the front axle you want, and change the rear to match. Even if it's 8 lug it would still be a lot easier to just change one end. If Ford parts are hard to find over there, that's all the more reason to leave it alone.

" You're telling me that in Isreal, you can get a Jeep with a Dana 60 rear stock? I have also heard that in Brazil TJs are available with a D44 Front. Maybe I'm just but why aren't those options here? Doesn't sound like the POS D35 is even available ove "

I just want you to know - even though we have Dana 44 or Dana 60 as rears and Dana 30 without the vacuum operator ( straight shaft)
i still think that you live in a paradise compare to us.
You really wanna know - the biggest tire that allowed here is 31"x10.5x11 , you can drive bigger but you'll find you're self with law problems . <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">
We can't put a V-8 , not allowed by law <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
we don't have even 2 % of places to drive like you have.
We don't have the wide range of products that you have .
We don't have , and we don't have and we
still don't have <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
I've been in the U.S for several times , and i went to see things for my YJ and for my Rockbuggy , and i can tell you -
that i wish we were you .

After making me sad i'll proceed :
Tha Dana 44 has 8 lug , and it sound logic to replace just the rear alone , so ...
1- Can i put a 15" wheel on a 8 lug ?
2- Can i find rear axleshafts with 8 lug ?
3- Can i find disk brake for that application

Thanks in advance guys ( we are crossing our fingers , for your success out-there )

I don't mean to knock Isreal or anything, but I never said I wanted to live there. I just don't see why those options aren't offered here if they're already being manufactured for export markets. Sorry to make you sad, never intended to do that.

Anyway, I don't know if the brake parts are the same as they are here, but you can get a 15" wheel over one. You might have to do some grinding of the caliber though. As far as the rear end, can you get the rear end out of the same pathfinder? It should be a 14 bolt (assuming they used those in export models) which would be an upgrade over the dana 44 even if it's only a semi floating 14 bolt. It would also have the same gear ratio as the front and be compareable width as well. You can get disk brakes for it, but why bother. It would have huge drums that should provide all the stopping power you need.

Grandpa jeep - you know - when somebody ,foreigner, tries to say something in a different language , sometimes it sounds different then he intended .
I wasn't sad literally , i wrote in a funny way , i wasn't upset at all on the contrary i'm very pleased to have answers from you guys , so don't feel needed to apologize.
Just look how great the web is , me from Israel, asks a question regarding off-road from a remote place something like 12000 miles , and i'm getting answers from you , or as an example i've ordered ( two weeks ago ) a torque convertor ( low stall speed )and shifting valve from the U.S , after reading this bulletin board .

O.K - now let's say that i can get everything that you can get , what can i do or buy to improve my setup , tell me about places to look for , tell me about pics to look at .
The 14 bolt (sf ) option can't be done - i need to narrow two axles , need to buy 4 axleshaft , 2 lockers , and 4 wheels , lots of money .

Thanks in advance