Ok, so a friend of mine calls me up today and the conversation goes something like this.

Him: Hey Josh, you still have that Scout II Dana 44?
Me: Yeah
Him: You didn't put it in your Jeep yet did you?
Me: No, why?
Him: Well, another friend of mine really wants a Dana 44 because he got an air locker for one for $150 and he would be willing to trade you his axle for yours right across the board.
Me: What axle does and gears is he running?
Him: Its a Toyota 8" out of a 2wd V6 with 4.11's
Me: (Thinking, I run 4.11's and I could put a factory electric locker in it for next to nothing.) Well, let me think about it and I will call you later.

So, what would you do? The axle needs some brakes, but that isn't a big deal. I may just convert it to disks while it is out. Other than that, it has no problems. So, would you trade a D44 for a Toyota 8"? I haven't been able to find too many strength comparisons with numbers. I really like the idea of having a drop out center section and you can shave those suckers down to nothing. That and the idea of something that is a bit non-standard would be nice, although I know a few people did this in the past.

Also, he just called back. I can also have his complete spare axle (fully functional with all parts) for $50 if I trade him. Hmm, 2 Toyota 8"s for a Scout II that isn't fully put together... Anyway, what would you do?

i'd go wiith the 8" axle.
they are stronger than dana 44's
the toy rear could ahve the 6 on 5.5" bolt pattern, but it might have the 5 on 4.5" pattern like the XJ's have.
the e lockers aren't cheap, and they require a good bit of work to get them to fit the early housings, but you can find that wout with the search function. there's at least 2 or 3 elocker retrofits floating arould on the web, too.

how would you shave a toyota axle?!!

i'd say go with the 8", that'd be a helluva deal since you'd have spares just in case, and i'm sure toyota people would flip out to see that under a JEEP, not to mention the fact that the gears would already be setup and its just as strong or stronger than the 44.

I responded to your similar post at NAXJA, check there, I would be interested in buying the second one, especially if it is 5on4.5.

can you convert those to the e-locker? i thought all the conversions out there used a 4x4 axle?

Originally posted by Taso Stambolis
how would you shave a toyota axle?!!

cut and weld just like any other axle :rolleyes:

Originally posted by NE-RokToy


cut and weld just like any other axle :rolleyes:
but the housing is steel not cast iron, wouldn't it be weakened too much?

Originally posted by Taso Stambolis

but the housing is steel not cast iron, wouldn't it be weakened too much?

ummmmm... lemme think about this... welding steel to steel is easier, requires no special treatment and can be done with a mig oh, and if ya look at the tubes they're welded to it from the factory... I'd say no. ;)

Originally posted by eb88
can you convert those to the e-locker? i thought all the conversions out there used a 4x4 axle?

It can be done, apparently it requires some minimal machining for clearance.

Dude, Taco you're cracking me up right now. It's fawkin' steel :flipoff2:

I think I'm going to give my friend a call in the morning and tell him I'll go for it. What the hell, its worth a shot. I can chop it down and weld a flat plate, then truss it from the backside in the same style as the Currie 9". I've been searching around about the e-locker conversion. As cool as it sounds, I think I'll just go my normal route and drop in a spool. Cheap and easy as always. Thanks for the input and giving me the little push that I needed. :D

I might be wrong but an elocker should only run you about 650.00 I think they drop in. If they don't they only need one axle with longer splines (passenger side one) and I believe this is a factory part. All this might be different information for the 8"

arndog

Originally posted by Josh 89XJ
Dude, Taco you're cracking me up right now. It's fawkin' steel :flipoff2:

I think I'm going to give my friend a call in the morning and tell him I'll go for it. What the hell, its worth a shot. I can chop it down and weld a flat plate, then truss it from the backside in the same style as the Currie 9". I've been searching around about the e-locker conversion. As cool as it sounds, I think I'll just go my normal route and drop in a spool. Cheap and easy as always. Thanks for the input and giving me the little push that I needed. :D

You need what; 25 people tell you to do it! call'em now - just kidding :D - I think it will be a slick swap when done (that is if you move a little faster than with the 44 you have been building)

mmm - spool!

Matthttp://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/eek13.gif