The ODs of the axle shafts are different but you don't want to weld the brackets to them. You want to weld them to the axle tubes and they are different too.
sorry that is what i ment the axle housing. how much different. what about the early dana 30s are they the same as the new dana 30s on jeeps. I need to figure a way to get bronco radius arms on a jeep dana 30
the 44 housing O.D. is larger and your bound to lose some metal when you burn the mounts off. you will have to conpensate for this size difference somehow. you could "build" some metal when you weld the mounts onto to 30 if your good enough w/ the welder and grind it flush. or, you could get real creative w/ the torch and cut the through tube on both sides of the C so you still have the C's intact on a piece of tube. take your measurements, from the apex of on C to the appex of the other. then cut that in half, one C on each side. from the side cut out or grind out enough of the tube to compensate for the difference in diameter and weld that on to the 30 and match your measurement.
the more I type the more exotic this is sounding. sorry, it is possible but I'm sure someone else has a simpler solution... I guess I was just in the fab mood today.
The O.D. can be found by taking a caliper and measuring the tubes on some random jeep in a parking lot.:flipoff2:
The old CJ dana 30's are 2.5 O.D., and I think this is the same as the YJ's. The old offset 44s that you would find in a flattie are also 2.5" O.D.
Get the high pinnon XJ axle.
XJ's with a 4 cyl and some early v-6's used 4.10 gears.
One shouldn't be too hard to find.
If it's a '96 or later it should have 297 u-joints.
I need to figure out how to get the metal c brackets that mount the Radius arms to the Dana 44 on a jeep dana 30.
I will call junk yards this week and try to find one out of an xj, that seems to be the best way.
I have also yet to find anyone that sells the weld on c brackets new. If anyone knows of a place let me know other wise ill have to torch a pair off.
What is the I.D. of a bronco axle housing? could i cut up an old dana 44 with the C brackets and slide them over the dana 30 housing and weld them on. I think i might loose to much of the bracket if i torch it off.
well if i use a 44 i will also have to buy new axle shafts for the rear to match the bolt pattern of the dana 44. and new wheels.
I figure i can get a dana 30 from a xj with steering and brakes for 300 bucks. ill get some EB coil buckets, f250 shock mounts, bronco radius arms, and some 3.5 inch lift coils from a bronco, some shocks, and a steering box from a ranger and i will be good.
I dont need the dana 44 housing, what i realy need are the metal C brackets that weld to the axle housing that the radius arms mount to. once I figure that one out i should be good to go.
Its your lucky day I am tired of this thread so I will answer your question
here You may have to build up the tubes for these to fit but whatever. You could always put dodge outers on the 44 and have the little bolt pattern.
Axle Wedges
For the Bronco owner that is swapping front axles, these wedges make it much easier. No need to cut up a good front axle just for parts. These wedges are designed to weld onto a 2 3/4” O.D. tube, just like a factory Early Bronco Dana 44 but are easily modified to fit onto 3” O.D. tubing found on high pinion Dana 44 and Dana 60. Cast with all the correct configurations to fit the inside of a C bushing exactly like original.
#5340 Axle Wedges, $75
THANKS you are the man. I did look on james duff, and bronco graveyard but didnt see them.
The coils mount to the radius arms so i dont need to find a dana 30 set up for coils do I? wont one from a yj work? if so would a d30 from a yj be better?
your best bet is to get one from a 97-00 XJ because of the HP or a 97 + TJ they are low pinion but any of these axles will have the larger 297 U joints which are far better then 260s. How ever any jeep Dana 30 from YJ,XJ,TJ,ZJ,MJ would work I would definatly stay away from the older ones with Vac. Disconnect axles.
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