Why you shouldn't run 44" tires on a Dana 44

[6.2Blazer]

Nice looking truck.


But this is what happens when you combine 44" Boggers, Dana 44 front axle, and actual trail use.

[ChevyBlazer383]

oops, lets see some pics of what it looks like underneath. What happened balljoints take a massive dump?

[6.2Blazer]

Yep, the balljoints popped off. Not sure of the details because I wasn't there. He did get it fixed and running later in the day.

The worst thing is that those pictures were taken only about 200 yards into the trail.

[reddman]

44s + 44s =

[mudslinger99]

Originally Posted by 6.2Blazer

The worst thing is that those pictures were taken only about 200 yards into the trail.

If that's the case he had problems and worn out parts before he got there

[cbbr]

I can't imagine how he would have worn anything out. How did they repair it/get it off the trail?

[6.2Blazer]

Originally Posted by mudslinger99

If that's the case he had problems and worn out parts before he got there

Soooo............if you have new parts in a Dana 44 it's okay to try to climb a 3' vertical rock ledge that transistions into a steep hill with a heavy vehicle on 44" Boggers with really wide wheels?

New parts or not, you can not beat on a Dana 44 front axle with that much tire and expect it not to scatter.

[mudslinger99]

Originally Posted by 6.2Blazer

Soooo............if you have new parts in a Dana 44 it's okay to try to climb a 3' vertical rock ledge that transistions into a steep hill with a heavy vehicle on 44" Boggers with really wide wheels?

New parts or not, you can not beat on a Dana 44 front axle with that much tire and expect it not to scatter.

Despite what some of you "I heard it on the internet so it must be true guys" think, a d44 or a 10 bolt don't explode in 200 yds due to big tires I stated that he had problems long before he tried that trail that day.. I'm guessing like most he put new tires on an old axle with worn out parts and it broke.. The same thing will happen to a d60 or any other axle that is worn out..

Just because you all didn't start wheeling until everybody said get a d60 or stay home doesn't mean that everything else is junk.. People have been wheeling d44's and 10 bolts for years WITH big tires and not have them explode when you start the truck like some of y'all claim Look around this board and you will see plenty of people wheeling them and not having the problems you're claiming..

[6.2Blazer]

Originally Posted by mudslinger99

Despite what some of you "I heard it on the internet so it must be true guys" think, a d44 or a 10 bolt don't explode in 200 yds due to big tires I stated that he had problems long before he tried that trail that day.. I'm guessing like most he put new tires on an old axle with worn out parts and it broke.. The same thing will happen to a d60 or any other axle that is worn out..

Just because you all didn't start wheeling until everybody said get a d60 or stay home doesn't mean that everything else is junk.. People have been wheeling d44's and 10 bolts for years WITH big tires and not have them explode when you start the truck like some of y'all claim Look around this board and you will see plenty of people wheeling them and not having the problems you're claiming..

I understand your point, but I don't think the circumstances of the pictures I posted agree with your view. You can take that Dana 44 front axle home after every ride and put new shafts, u-joints, balljoints, wheel bearings, etc.. in it, but you are still going to grenade it on at least a semi-regular basis with those huge tires and running difficult trails. It is just way beyond the design criteria of that axle. Keep in mind that the picture of the ledge is not some optional playrock......it is the trail, and not the hardest obstacle either.

I've owned my current trail vehicle since 1994, and I ran it with various forms of 10-bolt front axles in it for years (never ran over a 35" tire with it, and still broke it several times). I've also been active with our local club since the late-90's and served as president for 2 years, including probably at least 50-60 trailrides........so not like I'm just regurgiating something I read on the internet, but rather talking from personal experience.

[MudzerK5]

Originally Posted by mudslinger99

Despite what some of you "I heard it on the internet so it must be true guys" think, a d44 or a 10 bolt don't explode in 200 yds due to big tires I stated that he had problems long before he tried that trail that day.. I'm guessing like most he put new tires on an old axle with worn out parts and it broke.. The same thing will happen to a d60 or any other axle that is worn out..

Just because you all didn't start wheeling until everybody said get a d60 or stay home doesn't mean that everything else is junk.. People have been wheeling d44's and 10 bolts for years WITH big tires and not have them explode when you start the truck like some of y'all claim Look around this board and you will see plenty of people wheeling them and not having the problems you're claiming..

Having too small of a shaft diameter, weak ball joints, tiny u-joints - all have nothing to do with breakage...

[scatterbrain]

I've seen a blazer w/ a brand new D44 and 44" swampers make it three feet in the mud and have his ball joints pop out. It's a f-in D44, run small tires or get a 60.

[jackedupjimmy]

it all depends on driving styles and habits, ive heard of people running 44's on a 44 and never break anything and people break the hell out of every with 35's it depends on alot of factors

[redneckcadi]

I run a d44 front in my truck and i Bogged it never had a problem but the rear Is another story

[DUG]

Originally Posted by mudslinger99

Despite what some of you "I heard it on the internet so it must be true guys" think, a d44 or a 10 bolt don't explode in 200 yds due to big tires I stated that he had problems long before he tried that trail that day.. I'm guessing like most he put new tires on an old axle with worn out parts and it broke.. The same thing will happen to a d60 or any other axle that is worn out..

Just because you all didn't start wheeling until everybody said get a d60 or stay home doesn't mean that everything else is junk.. People have been wheeling d44's and 10 bolts for years WITH big tires and not have them explode when you start the truck like some of y'all claim Look around this board and you will see plenty of people wheeling them and not having the problems you're claiming..

My hella under powered 6.2 Blazer with managed to snap a 10 bolt shaft like nothing with a 36" tire the first trip I had it out, I was suprised how little effort it to took.

Maybe the interweb was right on that one?

Do I think by 10 bolts are as week as everyonelikes to make them out to be? No. But I do have to face the simple fact that it is a tiny little axle and a big tire is just more then it can take. Same as a 44 front with a WIDE wheel with bad backspacing is not goign to be able to handle the stress of a 44" tire under load.

[coolmudrunner]

I am/was running a d44 4.10 gears, in my fullsize that is big block powered and is sitting on 37 boggers. I never busted a shaft, poped a ball joint, or grenaded a u joint. The first thing to go on mine was my R & P teeth. And that was because I had the front tires down in a small creek and gave it full throttle in reverse.

[suburban N progress]

Originally Posted by 6.2Blazer

Nice looking truck.


But this is what happens when you combine 44" Boggers, Dana 44 front axle, and actual trail use.

Ha thats exactly what happen to my burb after running 42's and deep mud and water for 3 days without even checking anything...Thats incredibly to much tire for that axle so I bought a 60...And for those who say "ive wheeled 89 years witha 10 bolt and 33's or 39's or 36's or 37's..." UNTIL you wheel with a 21x44x16.5 BOGGER shuuuuuuuuuuudup.

[KidJethro]

Originally Posted by suburban N progress

UNTIL you wheel with a 21x44x16.5 BOGGER shuuuuuuuuuuudup.

Ain't that the truth.

[JK5]

Originally Posted by 6.2Blazer

I understand your point, but I don't think the circumstances of the pictures I posted agree with your view. You can take that Dana 44 front axle home after every ride and put new shafts, u-joints, balljoints, wheel bearings, etc.. in it, but you are still going to grenade it on at least a semi-regular basis with those huge tires and running difficult trails. It is just way beyond the design criteria of that axle. Keep in mind that the picture of the ledge is not some optional playrock......it is the trail, and not the hardest obstacle either.

I've owned my current trail vehicle since 1994, and I ran it with various forms of 10-bolt front axles in it for years (never ran over a 35" tire with it, and still broke it several times). I've also been active with our local club since the late-90's and served as president for 2 years, including probably at least 50-60 trailrides........so not like I'm just regurgiating something I read on the internet, but rather talking from personal experience.

Well said!!!

Only a rookie wheeler would argue on this issue.

[mdill]

Pretty much comes down to, 44" on a D44 is not a good
idea, unless it is a pure poser rig. Though those curbs at Burger King can be killer.

Mike D.

[MudzerK5]

Originally Posted by mdill

Pretty much comes down to, 44" on a D44 is not a good
idea, unless it is a pure poser rig. Though those curbs at Burger King can be killer.

Mike D.

What it comes down to, a D44 is no good!

I saw two axleshafts snap without moving - one in forward, one in reverse while a K5 tried to get unstuck. He had 35" tires.

[evenmadderdawg]

I run 49" IROKS on my stock d30- wheelin', muddin', towing, jumping... not a single problem. I was thinking of upgrading to a 44, are you guys saying not to?

[suburban N progress]

^^^^^ I read that like 4 times just to make sure I wasnt confusing myself^^^

[SouthernK5]

i dont think the guy broke anythin in that pic, hes jus got sick flex!

mudslinger is far from a newb, hes got a badass truck. fact of the matter is, if youve gt an open end in a d44, youll be able to get by with big tires and a light foot. the minute u add a traction device and some pedal its all over.

[mUD uCKeR]

I wheel with a narrowed Dana 44 with 38" Boggers... And sadly, even with regular greasing... my ball joints seem to go excessivly loose after about 1 year, 1 1/2" years. At the time i built it... i was only running 36's. And it's wasn't bad, running the wider, bigger and heavier bogger tire... definitly changed things. I will change them one more time probably, then i guess like everyone else, and everyone that told me when i built my dana 44... i will start the search for a 60.... :S

[IronClad]

got a truck here ( toyota though) 44 front and 49" iroks.. so far only 2 broken stub shafts.. alloys at that.. stuck STOCK 10bolt stubs in it and stock ujoints ( took the ctms out) wheeled the entire EJS time and never broke.. even rolled the truck off of double whammy.. hes thinking of takeing the alloys out all together..

That dudes shit must have been worn out.. Ive only had one balljoint go bad in my 10bolt and my shit has heavy tires and gets jumped and ran hard.