Just bought one...really cheap (just like me). I have a couple questions:

Front Dana 25 (10 spline), rear Dana 44 (10 spline), will they handle a moderately built Ford 289 for trail running and moderate off-road on 33's?

Does anybody have experience with the Powertrax Lock Right lockers for these axles (the only ones available that I have found).

I am not looking for a rock crusher setup, just a good desert trail rig. If these can't hang I would rather spend the money up front for a Ford 9" (rear) and Dana 44 (front), but as I said I am cheap!

I'd save myself the trouble and drop a pair of Waggy 44s under it. You could easily pick up a pair of pass. drops for pretty cheap and have a WMS-WMS width of 62", that'd be perfect. :)

Thanks for the response...but I was trying to figure out what to do with these axles (other than put them in the scrap bin)

Well for that matter, weld up the spiders and wheel them till the blow up. :nuke:

:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

I have to say replace them they were marginal with the original L4..

Considering I have busted 2 front D25's with a mighty F-head I think a 289 will be a bit much. :D

The D25 won't hold up. The D44 should. I am still running a D41 with 2 piece 10 spline axles and 35" tires. Suprisingly the axles are surviving - mostly due to the light weight of the Willys I'm guessing.

If you want to stay stock width, I'd consider a CJ D30 for the front (pretty much bolt in).

We won't get into why you think replacing a D44 with a 9" is an upgrade :D

Thanks for the responses...

I guess I will try to sell the D25 to some restorer...

Oldjeep: I know a couple of guys running the 30 front, good results for them (similar rigs to what I want), thanks for the insight-besides I did want to keep the stock track width.

Let the cat out...what's wrong with the 9". As it stands I have to repair my D44 rear (missing the pinion bearing), and as well with the 10 spline I am limited on locker choices.

I see lots of rigs with 9"...whats the deal:confused:

Originally posted by pacopico
Thanks for the responses...

I guess I will try to sell the D25 to some restorer...

Oldjeep: I know a couple of guys running the 30 front, good results for them (similar rigs to what I want), thanks for the insight-besides I did want to keep the stock track width.

Let the cat out...what's wrong with the 9". As it stands I have to repair my D44 rear (missing the pinion bearing), and as well with the 10 spline I am limited on locker choices.

I see lots of rigs with 9"...whats the deal:confused:

9" isn't any stronger in my opinion, plus your D44 is offset, isn't it?
So you'ld have to make an offset 9" or put in a Dana20 tcase. Easiest way to upgrade it is to get some 30 spline shafts and a full case locker or spool. The 30 spline shafts use a different carrier than the 10 and 19 spline shafts do, you you can't just replace the spiders or swap in a lunchbox locker in the old carrier.

Originally posted by oldjeep


9" isn't any stronger in my opinion, plus your D44 is offset, isn't it?
So you'ld have to make an offset 9" or put in a Dana20 tcase. Easiest way to upgrade it is to get some 30 spline shafts and a full case locker or spool. The 30 spline shafts use a different carrier than the 10 and 19 spline shafts do, you you can't just replace the spiders or swap in a lunchbox locker in the old carrier.

Thanks again...I didn't know if there were any modifications to the housings over the years to not allow me to swith to the newer spline setup. I was wanting a different locker than the "lock right" anyway - sounds like it is covered.

BTW I have found some literature on the rear axle that states it is "semi-floating", any idea on what needs to be done on the hubs to change to new axles, or just convert it to standard (non-floating). I haven't taken it apart yet, so I have no idea what they mean by "semi-floating.

Originally posted by pacopico


Thanks again...I didn't know if there were any modifications to the housings over the years to not allow me to swith to the newer spline setup. I was wanting a different locker than the "lock right" anyway - sounds like it is covered.

BTW I have found some literature on the rear axle that states it is "semi-floating", any idea on what needs to be done on the hubs to change to new axles, or just convert it to standard (non-floating). I haven't taken it apart yet, so I have no idea what they mean by "semi-floating.

All D44's are semi float. The existing hubs get thrown away with the axle shafts and get replaced with a 1 piece axle.

Originally posted by oldjeep


All D44's are semi float. The existing hubs get thrown away with the axle shafts and get replaced with a 1 piece axle.

Grassy-ass (thanks!):D