Have you read through this?...
http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/web_rs44.html

It contains a lot of good D44 information. Atleast enough to get you started maybe and send you in the right direction.
15 miles to school...? Live in Albany?

 

Nope live in Corvallis on the south edge of town, school in Albany. I am in the welding program at the community college, while also working on a business degree. Hopefully next year I will be able to transfer to OSU to shorten the drive.

Thanks for the link...looks like I have some reading to do.

 

I have been looking around it is true that it will cost about $4,000 to do everything I want to. And that I could probably get 1 tons for around the same, and maybe even cheaper. But I am able to break up the cost a lot more by going with the 44s front and rear. I don't have access to a ton of tools or easy access to a welder, press, lift etc. So by just buying the D44 front for $1500 new, I can toss it under the front in an afternoon in my driveway. Then as I get more money I can throw in the rear locker and shafts with new R&P. Then a while later I can do the same in the front, with virtually no downtime.

I appreciate all the input guys. Thanks again.

 

You're probably not going to get a set of 1 tons for $4k. I have most of that invested in my front alone (and I had a sponsor for some stuff). Figure $1000 for locker/regear, $1000 for the front axle, $800-1200 for steering, $300 to clean up the brakes and you've eaten up most of that $4000 right there. Upgraded knuckles, shafts, switching to 8 lug wheels, etc., will all add to the cost.

Axle swaps should be carefully decided and thought out. I suggest you figure out exactly what your goals are right now and save until you can get there. There is no shame in building a pair of axles in your garage, saving until you can get what you want, and swapping them in when they're 100% ready. If I ever build another rig, that is exactly what I will be doing--build axles, suspension, choose tires/wheels and install, followed closely by cage/protection, and then engine swaps and/or transfer case upgrades if necessary.

 

Well I think I have finally decided on getting a Dana 44 front axle assembly from NorthRidge4x4. It come with AlloyUSA 30 spline chromolly axle shafts, ARB locker, and R&P all assembled for about $2500. For the rear, AlloyUSA 33 spline chromolly axle shafts and Detroit for $1000. In total I am lookin at about $3500. Not to shabby. Certainly not as great as a D60/14B combo but should work great for what I want. Now I just gotta figure out how I am gonna come up with $3500 after I buy a transfer case...hmmm.

 

Should be one sweet 44.

 

I hope so. I really need to get my Jeep in better shape. As it sits now it is nowhere near trail worthy. I don't even have four wheel drive. It's just sad.:shaking: