Front Ford Dana 44 question? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

jbrooks86 · 06-19-2007, 04:34 AM

Just wanted to know if any of you have or know someone who has used the stock radius arms on the old Ford style Dana 44 and still had luck with getting good flex...please post pics of how you did it.

96_zjlarado · 06-19-2007, 05:20 AM

i've seen a few of them on other sites and if they flex anything like my buddy's 73 bronco with the radius arm 3 link up front, they flex out nice

PureFunction · 06-19-2007, 10:21 AM

I think there were some here that did just that and very good luck with it. http://trailkrawlers4x4.org/tkbbs/index.php

Xjcrawler736 · 06-19-2007, 12:54 PM

I am doing mine in July. So i will report back with my results. Not sure if I am going to run the stock rubber joints on the end or do a custom job with RE joints or Heims but I will definatly post up my project.

hadfield4wd · 06-19-2007, 06:55 PM

I did it. flexes great.

http://www.swva4w.org/forums/viewtop...t=322&start=60

flex shots

http://www.swva4w.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=457

Mr.N · 06-19-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrooks86

Just wanted to know if any of you have or know someone who has used the stock radius arms on the old Ford style Dana 44 and still had luck with getting good flex...please post pics of how you did it.

simple answer: No

You've a lot of tweaking to make the Ford style flex well... you can find it done, but it's a lot of work as any good system is...
Remeber it's your money...

XJ_ranger · 06-19-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.N

simple answer: No

You've a lot of tweaking to make the Ford style flex well... you can find it done, but it's a lot of work as any good system is...
Remeber it's your money...

Photo by Goatman

7* POLY BUSHINGS

no flex at all....

cant go anywhere with radius arms...

Photo by Goatman

jeepxj91 · 06-19-2007, 09:07 PM

i got no flex shots as of yet , im just finishing my build up. i extended the arm a bit with some tube and put an RE joint on the end. should flex decent. if not you could always wrist it, but that could weaken it a but too. to anyone else who posted: are your arms just stock with some kind of flex joint on the end? no wristing?

HardcorewannabeXJ · 06-19-2007, 09:41 PM

If anyone says the radius arms don't flex, just show them this picture....

WHITE RHINO · 06-19-2007, 09:48 PM

not a jeep but the set up you are talking about

WHITE RHINO · 06-19-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.N

simple answer: No

You've a lot of tweaking to make the Ford style flex well... you can find it done, but it's a lot of work as any good system is...
Remeber it's your money...

thats bullshit i have $125 in mine work great done a shit load of trips no problem

RockcontrolXJ · 06-19-2007, 10:05 PM

I built one XJ with 12" extended ford radius arms and Johnny joints. Flexed fine, but the mounts hung 4" below the rails, even with 7* bushings. There are much better solutions out there.

WHITE RHINO · 06-19-2007, 10:17 PM

should have set them up better

jbrooks86 · 06-20-2007, 04:09 PM

Thanks for all of the responses. I think I'm gonna go ahead and use the radius arms on the Ford 44. This will makes things a lot easier than the other option I was going with (triangulated 4 link). I'll post some pics when done. Just in case anyone was curious, here's my winter project plans:

87' XJ
Ford dana 44 front-(detroit)
Ford 9" rear-(spool)
87 4.0L w/ 97 intake/injection
aw4 trans
231 transfer w/231 crawl box
Rusty's 8.5-9" front coils
SJ 7.5" rear leafs w/ 1.5" shackles
Rear leafs reversed
Lengthened Ford radius arms on front
Trac bar fabbed on the rear
As many sub-frame stiffeners as possible!!!!
Full hydraulic front steering
Full interior cage
38.5 x 14.50 sx's
Home-made rock sliders

Any advice//critics????

hadfield4wd · 06-20-2007, 07:04 PM

I'd look at the TNT customs D44 truss. I did the ford radius arm and it flexes great and was cheap, however you can take that axle and weld on the truss and be done. If I were doing it all over again I'd probably go that route. les custom fabbing make a project go quicker.

XJ_ranger · 06-22-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrooks86

Thanks for all of the responses. I think I'm gonna go ahead and use the radius arms on the Ford 44. This will makes things a lot easier than the other option I was going with (triangulated 4 link). I'll post some pics when done. Just in case anyone was curious, here's my winter project plans:

87' XJ
Ford dana 44 front-(detroit) ALLOY USA SHAFTS, CTM JOINTS, HI-STEER
Ford 9" rear-(spool) CURRIE 35 SPLINE SHAFTS
87 4.0L w/ 97 intake/injection
aw4 trans
231 transfer w/231 crawl box (I dont know about this one)
Rusty's 8.5-9" front coils
SJ 7.5" rear leafs w/ 1.5" shackles
Rear leafs reversed
Lengthened Ford radius arms on front
Trac bar fabbed on the rear
As many sub-frame stiffeners as possible!!!!
Full hydraulic front steering
Full interior cage
38.5 x 14.50 sx's (ALL THIS WORK TO RUN SHITTY TIRES?)
Home-made rock sliders

Any advice//critics????

horsepower4x4 · 06-22-2007, 09:20 AM

I added a spud to the end which added 8" of length and allowed for an 1-1/4" heim joint to be added. Absolutely zero problems with them.

HardcorewannabeXJ · 06-22-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XJ_ranger

X2 on the

Alloy shafts and upgraded u-joints in the front D44 at least to run 38.5 x14.5 tires.

88burban · 06-22-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XJ_ranger

Photo by Goatman

7* POLY BUSHINGS

no flex at all....

cant go anywhere with radius arms...

Photo by Goatman

pardon my french, but where the fuck is that?!?!?!!? I want to go there!

trailcreep · 06-23-2007, 04:43 PM

I ran that same setup on my second xj.I extended the radius arms and ran RE flex joints on the end.Flexed great using Rusty's 8" coils.There are a few on here that have ran this setup with great results.One of them that pops into mind is Ken Carter/Bruiser.Try a search,should turn up a few.

88burban · 06-23-2007, 11:39 PM

oh yeah, and I run modified stock ford radius arms too. some pics on my myspace. www.myspace.com/associate02

PornstaR · 06-24-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88burban

oh yeah, and I run modified stock ford radius arms too. some pics on my myspace. www.myspace.com/associate02

Yea and if you dont belive him................. well you get the picture

88burban · 06-24-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PornstaR

Yea and if you dont belive him................. well you get the picture

HAHAHA!!!

Family TJ · 06-30-2007, 09:15 AM

I sure hope that style works. I am getting ready to build mine this month. I cut the webbing out of the radius arms got some 2" DOM and some 1.5" dom for my joints to thread into. I had the 1.5 turned down and threaded and then I have Curries 2.25 joints with the 1.25 threads. I am adding some pics of What I will be using. I used a can for size comparison.

cherokee4x489 · 07-09-2007, 05:03 PM

go to james duff inc. they build stuff for broncos and they have some heavy duty radius arms that are powder coated blue and look alsome. they are really strong and can hold up to the hard abuse. and the flex pretty darn good! www.jamesduff.com

06-19-2007, 04:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
jbrooks86 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2237 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 292	Front Ford Dana 44 question? Just wanted to know if any of you have or know someone who has used the stock radius arms on the old Ford style Dana 44 and still had luck with getting good flex...please post pics of how you did it.

06-19-2007, 12:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Xjcrawler736 Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 84970 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 3,858	I am doing mine in July. So i will report back with my results. Not sure if I am going to run the stock rubber joints on the end or do a custom job with RE joints or Heims but I will definatly post up my project. __________________ Andy~ RCrocs/Line Mt. - Route 63 Motorsports #736 Ultra4 #4343 Co-driver - Molten Motorsports

06-19-2007, 06:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
hadfield4wd Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Member # 82644 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 2,131	I did it. flexes great. http://www.swva4w.org/forums/viewtop...t=322&start=60 flex shots http://www.swva4w.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=457 __________________ [QUOTE=xjdoug;9487015]this is like watching a kid stick his finger in a light socket.... sooner or later he's gonna figure out why the rest of us arent doin it...[/QUOTE]

06-19-2007, 09:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
WHITE RHINO Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 71446 Location: MORGAN HILL, CA Posts: 3,109	not a jeep but the set up you are talking about __________________ (WHITE RHINO)88 Ranger, 2.9liter,1350/1354 doubler, HP 60 with Plated knuckles, chromos, PSC Hydro, 3 link, Rear Eaton 44" Pitbulls on H1's Section8Krawlers.com Extreme Dual Sport Tuff Lites Unbreakable Turn Signals for your Dual Sport/Adventure Bike

06-19-2007, 10:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
WHITE RHINO Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 71446 Location: MORGAN HILL, CA Posts: 3,109	should have set them up better __________________ (WHITE RHINO)88 Ranger, 2.9liter,1350/1354 doubler, HP 60 with Plated knuckles, chromos, PSC Hydro, 3 link, Rear Eaton 44" Pitbulls on H1's Section8Krawlers.com Extreme Dual Sport Tuff Lites Unbreakable Turn Signals for your Dual Sport/Adventure Bike

06-19-2007, 05:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
96_zjlarado Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Member # 87769 Location: Gaston, OR Posts: 32	i've seen a few of them on other sites and if they flex anything like my buddy's 73 bronco with the radius arm 3 link up front, they flex out nice

06-19-2007, 10:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
PureFunction Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 53344 Location: Orleans NE Posts: 469	I think there were some here that did just that and very good luck with it. http://trailkrawlers4x4.org/tkbbs/index.php

06-19-2007, 09:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
jeepxj91 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 44302 Posts: 39	i got no flex shots as of yet , im just finishing my build up. i extended the arm a bit with some tube and put an RE joint on the end. should flex decent. if not you could always wrist it, but that could weaken it a but too. to anyone else who posted: are your arms just stock with some kind of flex joint on the end? no wristing?

06-19-2007, 09:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
HardcorewannabeXJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 84593 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,004	If anyone says the radius arms don't flex, just show them this picture....

06-19-2007, 10:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
RockcontrolXJ Postrunner Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37109 Posts: 411	I built one XJ with 12" extended ford radius arms and Johnny joints. Flexed fine, but the mounts hung 4" below the rails, even with 7* bushings. There are much better solutions out there.

06-20-2007, 04:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
jbrooks86 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Member # 2237 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 292	Thanks for all of the responses. I think I'm gonna go ahead and use the radius arms on the Ford 44. This will makes things a lot easier than the other option I was going with (triangulated 4 link). I'll post some pics when done. Just in case anyone was curious, here's my winter project plans: 87' XJ Ford dana 44 front-(detroit) Ford 9" rear-(spool) 87 4.0L w/ 97 intake/injection aw4 trans 231 transfer w/231 crawl box Rusty's 8.5-9" front coils SJ 7.5" rear leafs w/ 1.5" shackles Rear leafs reversed Lengthened Ford radius arms on front Trac bar fabbed on the rear As many sub-frame stiffeners as possible!!!! Full hydraulic front steering Full interior cage 38.5 x 14.50 sx's Home-made rock sliders Any advice//critics????

06-20-2007, 07:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
hadfield4wd Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Member # 82644 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 2,131	I'd look at the TNT customs D44 truss. I did the ford radius arm and it flexes great and was cheap, however you can take that axle and weld on the truss and be done. If I were doing it all over again I'd probably go that route. les custom fabbing make a project go quicker. __________________ [QUOTE=xjdoug;9487015]this is like watching a kid stick his finger in a light socket.... sooner or later he's gonna figure out why the rest of us arent doin it...[/QUOTE]

06-22-2007, 09:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
horsepower4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Member # 73309 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 27	Ford Arms work great! I added a spud to the end which added 8" of length and allowed for an 1-1/4" heim joint to be added. Absolutely zero problems with them. Attached Images __________________ Greg Heinrichs 89 Cherokee 4.0L Turbo, AW4, NP242, Mog 404's, Hummer wheels, 42 IROK's and a few little body modifications. (This used to be our family car) ---- 2001 Dodge Quad Cab Dually 4x4, Cummins, 6-spd, K&N, AFE, Edge 75hp injectors, Edge Attitude, 4" exhaust, 315/75R-16's

06-23-2007, 04:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
trailcreep Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Member # 50642 Location: Dullass,Or Posts: 563	I ran that same setup on my second xj.I extended the radius arms and ran RE flex joints on the end.Flexed great using Rusty's 8" coils.There are a few on here that have ran this setup with great results.One of them that pops into mind is Ken Carter/Bruiser.Try a search,should turn up a few. __________________ I have no idea what the fawk I'm doing Last edited by trailcreep; 06-23-2007 at 11:57 PM.

06-23-2007, 11:39 PM	#21 (permalink)
88burban Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25601 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 428	oh yeah, and I run modified stock ford radius arms too. some pics on my myspace. www.myspace.com/associate02 __________________ CrustyJeep- "Your faith in your government to protect your wife from you is LIBERAL THINKING."

06-30-2007, 09:15 AM	#24 (permalink)
Family TJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 63174 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 145	I sure hope that style works. I am getting ready to build mine this month. I cut the webbing out of the radius arms got some 2" DOM and some 1.5" dom for my joints to thread into. I had the 1.5 turned down and threaded and then I have Curries 2.25 joints with the 1.25 threads. I am adding some pics of What I will be using. I used a can for size comparison.

07-09-2007, 05:03 PM	#25 (permalink)
cherokee4x489 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28151 Location: tenneessee Posts: 94	go to james duff inc. they build stuff for broncos and they have some heavy duty radius arms that are powder coated blue and look alsome. they are really strong and can hold up to the hard abuse. and the flex pretty darn good! www.jamesduff.com __________________ TOW RIG- 99 f-250 superduty 6 inch lift 36,15.50 micky tompson atz's WHEELIN RIG-yellow 89 cherokee 4.0 - custom long arm 3 link front ford bronco dana 44, 4.88 and mini spool - custom 4 link rear with ford 9 inch with 2.5 fox air shocks 4.88 and lockrite no slip locker

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode