I'm looking for options for an front axle to match a 63 inch wide (WMS to WMS) 14 bolt rear axle.

I'm thinking about swapping to a ford NP205 to make it easier to use a F150 RC D44 front axle. I like the HP and it should be easier to narrow a D44 then widen one.

So....What are my options for axle shafts once I narrow the RC D44? I really don't want to buy aftermarket axles as I'm a cheap bastard. Can the ford inner shafts be chopped off and resplined? Any other ideas?

BTW: Does anybody know what u-joints are used on the D44s axle shafts by the big 3/IH? For example will a chevy outter mate up to a ford inner? How 'bout IH inners to ford/chevy outters?

The Fud axle should be 67", you could run the Scout II housing with Fud outers, that'll put you close to 63".

Axle shaft options are many, most of the 44's out there use 297 series joints and will swap around. I'm running Scout outers with Dodge inners.

That's too easy. I assume you meant 8 lug fud outters. This is why I love the internet. Looks like I have my choice for HP or just using my SII housing:

Option 1: SII housing and fud 8 lug outters

Option 2: Narrowed Fud housing with Scout II inners and fud 8 lug outters

It will be nice to get rid of those crappy external hubs too.

BTW: Do the ford 8 lug knuckles have flat tops on both sides? hmmm.

I think I'll go with the HP D44 unless I can steal a HP D60. I understand that I don't need an alignment jig to narrow a front axle? Just remove the c-yokes, cut down the tubes, and pound the yokes back on with whatever caster I want?

thanks a bunch.

Originally posted by Hammerlock
Can the ford inner shafts be chopped off and resplined?

Yes Dutchman does it. :D

Originally posted by Old Scout


Yes Dutchman does it. :D

Thanks, I knew front D60 axles could be resplined, but some like 14 bolt rear axles with a taper can't be. Is there any place in the Denver metro area that does it?

This is working out better then I could of hoped...Reportedly the fud F250 d44 has the flat tops. I probably could use chevy 3/4 ton outters also, but I'm not sure if the width would be right.

*most* D44 shafts can be shortend... as long as you are taking off atleast 3" or more... this eliminates the taper *most* have.


Carful, usuing the HP front in a drivers drop (aka stock) make shaft lengths "weird" compared to say a passenger pumpkin.

The "short side" is longer, and the "long side" is shorter, due to how the carrier is slightly "offset".


Take that into acount.

You also may run into problems with the drive shaft hitting the clutch or auto linkage.... depending on how much lift you have... ther's not much to hit on the passenger side....


that said, use some of the axle charts that have been kicked around recently (look in the Gen section) and mix and match to get what you want. Then have a set of say Chevy long sides Re-splined to those specs. I've been told (and it makes sence) that re-splined axles are "usually" stronger than "stock" because you have eliminated the neck-down were they usually snap...

There is a guy up around Dencer that can cut down and respline axle shafts for you, i am not sure about the name since i got this number from a buddy who had them cut and respline his front 60 axles. The number is (303) 989-1432 and (303) 806-0451. Hope this helps, i think the guys name is Tom Stop.

Thanks for the info. Should be cheaper then paying shipping both ways. Maybe this is something any machine shop could do I don't know.

BTW: I've been reading through all the posts I can find and it looks like the 297 is one of many u-joints used in 3/4 ton D44's so now I'm trying to find out what year and model 8 lug outter actually use the 297's (to hook up to Scout inners) I've read the chevy outters are cheaper and stronger so I may go that route. Also, can somebody confirm that 8 lug outters will add 4-5 inches to the width of a Scout D44 housing? I'm trying to match a 14 bolt for width.