Trying to identify a front D44.. **Pics Added**

[Dmntxn77]

I have a front D44 and I cant figure out what it came out of. Some details are as follows:
Driver Drop
8 Lug
3" Tubes (I will have to measure to be sure)
Driver Knuckle is flat-top and is already milled drilled and tapped
Pass Knuckle is not flat-top

The knuckles make me think that it is from a Chevy, but when did Chevy use drive drop D44's. I also dont know how to tell if if came with 8 lugs. Also, it does not seem to have the extra ribs on the pumpkin that I usually use to identify HD44's.

Along with pics, what measurements do I need to get to help identify it?

[babywag]

On the long axle tube look for the bom# stamped in there.
You might be able to id it that way.

Probably out of a Ford.
Don't believe anybody else used driver's drop front axles.

8-lug hubs, or knuckles aren't going to tell you much since they are easily swapped.

[Stuka]

GM never used a driver drop front axle. If it has normal spring perches (not coil) its a ford. The steering arm hooked up to the driver side knuckle.

[Dmntxn77]

There is no BOM number. It must have been ground off. It is set-up for front coils, but I think that they are custom brackets.

[Stuka]

Hmm, dodge used a driver drop front axle in dodge rams. Does it have hubs, or drive flanges? Dodge didnt use hubs on them. If it has hubs, and is high pinion, its ford. It could still be ford if its low pinion, just means its pre-78.

[Dmntxn77]

It has hubs. They are not factory though. One is a superwinch that does not fit tight, and the other is a Warn Premimum. Also, it is low pinion.

[Coondawg]

Is it unitbearing?

[Dmntxn77]

I have never seen a D44 with unit bearings... You are talking about something like on a Jeep Dana 30 right?

[Dmntxn77]

Oh yeah, the anwser is no...

[Coondawg]

I have never seen a D44 with unit bearings... You are talking about something like on a Jeep Dana 30 right?
Later Dodges used driver drop, low pinion, CAD, unit bearing d44s

[J10Mike]

Later Dodges used driver drop, low pinion, CAD, unit bearing d44s
The 74 thru 79 Dodges also had unit bearing front hubs with pass side drop and SOA perches. You can't mistake them...They have no hub sticking out.

[DAHoyle]

No way to be sure, but from your description, it sounds like something that was built from various parts and pieces. Nothing wrong with that, as long as it fits your needs. You do need to know the basics tho, so you can order replacement parts as needed. A pic would be very useful in identifying it.

Doug

[Dmntxn77]

Later Dodges used driver drop, low pinion, CAD, unit bearing d44s

The 74 thru 79 Dodges also had unit bearing front hubs with pass side drop and SOA perches. You can't mistake them...They have no hub sticking out.

Interesting... Always learning...

[Dmntxn77]

I DID NOT BUILD THIS SUSPENSION.. It clearly has many flaws. I didnt build it, but I did buy it for a reasonable price considering all the work that I have ahead of me to get it all right. Any constructive opinions are always welcome. And yes, I know it is not a SJ, but it is full size... :D

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle3.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle4.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle6.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/FrontAxle7.jpg

And my favorite shot from the front..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/AlexwiththebigJeep.jpg

[malodin]

the guy you got that from doesnt he know what was done to it?

[1-tonmudder]

Looks like a low pinion Ford 44 with some bad pinion angle to me.

[Dmntxn77]

the guy you got that from doesnt he know what was done to it?

No, he was a young guy who bought it from the builder, and didnt know anything about it, or have a clue how to fix it.. His sales pitch was "custom long arms, 37"s, monster axles, an overall way bad @ss rig... thats all I know"

[Dmntxn77]

Looks like a low pinion Ford 44 with some bad pinion angle to me.

You dont like the pinon angle??

[1-tonmudder]

Just looks like it need to be turned up towards the case a little,thats all.If your redoing all the bracketry it won't matter anyway you can move it then.

Edit-after looking at the 7th pic again it doesnt look so bad after all.I was mostly basing that on the 6th picture.

[malodin]

and the guy doesnt know who did the work? you got a bit of work ahead of you just trying to get that stuff sorted out.

[Dmntxn77]

and the guy doesnt know who did the work? you got a bit of work ahead of you just trying to get that stuff sorted out.

Here is what I know, along with what I assume about this rig..
1) A guy who ran a salvage yard in Cali built (my guess, according to the trail damage), for crawling rocks
2) He sold it to the guy in Oregon that I bought it from, who intitally told me that he runs a 4x4 shop
3) We agreed on $4500 based on his limited pics
4) I drove to Oregon, saw the total package with all the needed "corrections"
5) We had a heart-to-heart :rolleyes: and found out that he did not run a 4x4 shop(he just has a tax id number and sells parts on ebay), had no clue about Jeeps, and could not even understand my 4x4 jargon as I surveyed the Jeep
6) We agreed at that point on $2500
7) He was all pissy about the whole deal
8) Now he wont reply to my emails

So, getting any future infor about the Jeep in unlikely...

[Slick Willie]

Wow. He needs to advertise on Pirate...that would be a good thread to read. :D

1-tonmudder, good luck finding a stock low pinion front axle that doesn't have a "bad" pinion angle. Nearly parallel to the ground is pretty common...

[malodin]

dmntxn, thats messed up but a good buy for sure. you might be better off starting from a stock d44 out of like a ford that has coils(i dont know if there were any but if there were it might be a better start.)

[Dmntxn77]

Naw... I can get this one set-up properly... Actually, I am considering ditching the coils and going with some nitro air shocks..

[malodin]

true true.

[Kris]

Axle looks like a 76-77.5 f-250.

http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm
Check out "picture 23".

kris.

[tzagi]

Axle looks like a 76-77.5 f-250.

http://http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Dana44_2.htm
Check out "picture 23".

kris.

Could be, or a quigly/ pathfinder van conversion

[Dmntxn77]

That link is not working for me... AND, it could be from a van if any had them (I am familiar with Quigly), because I have 1.5"-2" spacers on my rear D60 to even it up with my wide front D44

[Stuka]

Pinion angle looks fine to me. The shaft is not even close to binding when flat, should be fine when drooped. Its odd to find a narrow rear D60. Most all are 67".

[Dmntxn77]

It is odd... But, maybe the D60 is not narrow... Maybe the D44 is just REAL wide.. Dunno.. I will have to take a tape out there tomorrow and measure them both...

[Kris]

That link is not working for me... AND, it could be from a van if any had them (I am familiar with Quigly), because I have 1.5"-2" spacers on my rear D60 to even it up with my wide front D44

I fixed the link. Just had two http's in it. My bad.

And on a conversion van, they're just that... A conversion. Their drivetrains are spec'd from trucks.


Your knuckles, tierod under the arm, and brakes, look Ford. F250 knuckles are drilled and tapped the same pattern as other dana axles but the draglink steers over the tube instead of in front, similar to a Chevy. You can kinda see it in the pic in the link.

Doesnt matter much though. Its a d44. Build it and run it.:D

kris.

[Dmntxn77]

Yeah, I guess I did not make that clear. I know that Quigly does not have there own D44.. I was wondering out-loud if there are any factory 4x4 vans with D44's

[malodin]

dmntxn, clean your in box:)

[DAHoyle]

It looks like a mid 70's Ford with GM knuckles to me. Nothing wrong with that setup. built one myself with a HP44, but am swappping it out for a HP60.

Easiest way to tell exactly what it is at this point is to pull the axles and measure them. Even if you can't get an absolute ID that way, you'll need to know. I have a few PDF files that cross references the various axle widths, and what they fit into.

In any case, it looks sound to me.

As for the pinion angle, I'm assuming that it has a double cardan joint at the T-case, so that angle looks pretty close to correct. Might want to find out what the caster is. That would be my concern.

Doug

[Stuka]

Those are ford knuckles. Ford used an arm on the driver side knuckle similar to GM, but with a slightly different setup.

[jeeping1974]

is it just me and the drag link or doesn it look like the axle housing is bent upwards on the drivers side?

[Stuka]

is it just me and the drag link or doesn it look like the axle housing is bent upwards on the drivers side?

The drag link is bent ;)

[Dmntxn77]

The drag link is bent ;)

Drag link is straight, the tie rod is bent.. I know that is what you meant though.. :thumbsup:

[Stuka]

doh! Yes, I ment tie rod :( His post saying drag link through me off, I swear!

[jeeping1974]

doh! Yes, I ment tie rod :( His post saying drag link through me off, I swear!

hahahaha gotcha stuka :lol:. i thought it was the drag link though. ssshhhh

[Dmntxn77]

Ok measured them...

The rear D60 is 67"s

The front D44 is (get this) 71 1/4"s... Weird...

The numbers on the calipers are: 1800 7117 & 1800 7118

The numbers on the Knuckles are: 620269L & R620260

[Dmntxn77]

Here are some pics of the calipers and knuckles
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/8-1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/7-1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/6-1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/dmntxn77/Grey%2093%20ZJ/5-1.jpg

[malodin]

those backing plate's look an awfull lot like me fsj ones, even with the flimsy metal as well. i bet my knuckles would work for you no problem

[Dmntxn77]

those backing plate's look an awfull lot like me fsj ones, even with the flimsy metal as well. i bet my knuckles would work for you no problem

Cool, I just got done PM'ing you...

[Dmntxn77]

Well, the outers at least, are from a 70's Chevy 2500. I had to get new calipers and pads... It wasnt fun at the parts store figuring it out...

[malodin]

that means the backing plate is from the same to, which will work in the 1 oclock position as well.

[Dmntxn77]

Hmmm, guess I did not look at it right...

[malodin]

take a look at the picture showing the passenger side brake disk and caliper, thats at 12 oclock on the knuckle, the 1 oclock would rotate the caliper up to just a little bit shy of top. which is fine as long as the bleader is the highest position...oh well only way to find out for sure is to put it up to your backing plate.