Running a Dana 44 front as a trailer axle? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Mr.N · 10-11-2002, 08:08 PM

Has any one hear of this? I was told, by a very good source, that is was common in the 60's and 70's to do this for a home made trailer.

The Dana 44 has to be a king-pin type, and you weld the king pins togher. Guess the hub is why they did this, easy to lube.

So, how would the brakes work?

CSP · 10-11-2002, 09:36 PM

If youre gonna run a 44 don't use a front one for God's sake. Use a rear and forget all the crap about kingpins and welding them together. Gotta be weaker than the 14 bolts you were asking about earlier.

uglyscout · 10-12-2002, 03:10 PM

I have seen a lot of homemade trailers and never have seen a front axle used for a trailer. Why would you want to? If your going to go to the trouble of welding the axle solid why not just start with a rear axle?

Mr.N · 10-12-2002, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uglyscout
I have seen a lot of homemade trailers and never have seen a front axle used for a trailer. Why would you want to? If your going to go to the trouble of welding the axle solid why not just start with a rear axle?

Why is becasue the easy bearing changes and keeping them lubed. Plus it's full-floating! To get that in a rear axle you most likelly need a very large and heavy rear axle.
My knowledge on this is very small, hopefully someone can step up to the plate.

The Rockslut · 10-12-2002, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr.N
Why is becasue the easy bearing changes and keeping them lubed. Plus it's full-floating! To get that in a rear axle you most likelly need a very large and heavy rear axle.
My knowledge on this is very small, hopefully someone can step up to the plate.

I would think that a $100 30 spline D60 would be much better than a welded 44 front. The 60 would be FF so its easy to lube and it would be very close in weight to a front 44

Devil Dog · 10-13-2002, 05:07 PM

they make trailer hubs that are fully lubed.. with gear oil.. like the semi trailers... you can convert from an older hub.. to those.. they are about 75 bucks.. if memory serves me.. check out some of the trailer stores on line for them.. and be done with it..

besides.. it only takes me about 2.5 minutes to pull my hubs.. and thats with a tire wrench.. and a screw driver...

if your that anal.. then use a rear axle... but your deck will be higher since you have the center differential housing there..

Oxjockey · 10-14-2002, 05:55 AM

And kingpin D44s are so common.

POPE · 10-14-2002, 03:53 PM

I wouldn't even think of that. If weight is that big of a concern for your trailer, then you need to rethink your trailer.

Could you imagine a weld breaking at highway speed? Talk about rear steer!!

I am honestly scared by the thoughts (or lack of) that some people have towards their trailer. It's just as important folks as the rig that pulling it or the one that's riding on it.

GEEEZ

Mr.N · 10-14-2002, 07:19 PM

The Rockslut: good point. I've seen 14B with rims and ok tires go for $100. Thinking of this route also.

Oxjockey: King Pin Dana 44's are some what common. At least I know teh years to look for. plus no one wants them so they are cheap

POPE: Hey, I'm just asking the question The source I heard I trust, so I'm sure it been done. Not saying I'm going this route just wnat to see what people had to say.

10-11-2002, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr.N Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1635 Location: Minne-so-cold Posts: 3,972	Running a Dana 44 front as a trailer axle? Has any one hear of this? I was told, by a very good source, that is was common in the 60's and 70's to do this for a home made trailer. The Dana 44 has to be a king-pin type, and you weld the king pins togher. Guess the hub is why they did this, easy to lube. So, how would the brakes work? __________________ Proud Catholic \| My Dana Articles and Info -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

10-12-2002, 03:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
uglyscout Dana 44 Polisher Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13731 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 3,321	I have seen a lot of homemade trailers and never have seen a front axle used for a trailer. Why would you want to? If your going to go to the trouble of welding the axle solid why not just start with a rear axle? __________________ Dana 44 Cut and Turn Tech Dana 44 front axle tech

10-13-2002, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Devil Dog GySgt - Retired Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11922 Location: Wildomar, CA Posts: 1,591	they make trailer hubs that are fully lubed.. with gear oil.. like the semi trailers... you can convert from an older hub.. to those.. they are about 75 bucks.. if memory serves me.. check out some of the trailer stores on line for them.. and be done with it.. besides.. it only takes me about 2.5 minutes to pull my hubs.. and thats with a tire wrench.. and a screw driver... if your that anal.. then use a rear axle... but your deck will be higher since you have the center differential housing there.. __________________ Front Toward Enemy 2009, 2011 & 2013 King of the Hammers BUCK Wild Racing Team 911 Degenerate Team 505 Team 488 O.G. "Wreckin' Crew"

10-14-2002, 03:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
POPE Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 479 Location: Oklahoma! Posts: 961	I wouldn't even think of that. If weight is that big of a concern for your trailer, then you need to rethink your trailer. Could you imagine a weld breaking at highway speed? Talk about rear steer!! I am honestly scared by the thoughts (or lack of) that some people have towards their trailer. It's just as important folks as the rig that pulling it or the one that's riding on it. GEEEZ __________________ Kyle Pope

10-14-2002, 07:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mr.N Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1635 Location: Minne-so-cold Posts: 3,972	The Rockslut: good point. I've seen 14B with rims and ok tires go for $100. Thinking of this route also. Oxjockey: King Pin Dana 44's are some what common. At least I know teh years to look for. plus no one wants them so they are cheap POPE: Hey, I'm just asking the question The source I heard I trust, so I'm sure it been done. Not saying I'm going this route just wnat to see what people had to say. __________________ Proud Catholic \| My Dana Articles and Info -> http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

10-11-2002, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
CSP Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1533 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 2,784	If youre gonna run a 44 don't use a front one for God's sake. Use a rear and forget all the crap about kingpins and welding them together. Gotta be weaker than the 14 bolts you were asking about earlier.

10-14-2002, 05:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oxjockey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7163 Location: PA Posts: 1,863	And kingpin D44s are so common.

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