Dana 44 Axle Swap confirmation

[zbethem]

happy new year everyone.. I saw an ad on craigslist. I think it's what I would need to swap out my Dana 44 closed-knuckle axle on my 1969 Gladiator J2000.

Here were the details:
Dana 44 front axle out of a Dodge Ramcharger. It is complete hub-to-hub and has disc brakes, 5 lug, I believe it has 3:73s, and the pumkin is passenger side drop

From what I've seen, this is as close as one can get to a bolt-on swap.. correct?

Input is appreciated before I waste the guy's time. Thanks!

[Tornado230]

http://stores.ebay.com/HORSEPOWERSALES-LLC

Check out the site. Go to the conversion GM 6 lug to 5 lug.
This has been discussed recently. Do a search if you wish.
Easiest thing is to use the Jeep front axle, but you will run into a problem as your front springs are post-mounted, whereas the later ones have the spring mounted under the axle. The post-mounted springs are mounted on top of the axle.
I really don't know specs of the Dodge axle as to width and spring perch mounting.

[44BZ]

I'm thinkin about this swap also. JoshD is the member that champions the Dodge 44 swap. I recall him stating previously that a Dana 44 from any 80s ramcharger or half ton pickup will work. Maybe he will chime in...

[mattmopar440]

I know I guy that swap a set of J20 axle's under his Ramcharger with no mods at all so the opposite should work as well

[Josh D]

What year Ramcharger? Anything from the '80s should work. Pre '80s used a unit bearing setup that you don't want. Just make sure that it has the standard internal spline hub and spindle bearing set up and you're golden. It should look like this:

[Josh D]

BTW, although this is about as easy as it gets for a much better axle into the early post mount trucks, it is not bolt in. A wide track FSJ axle will require basically the same work to swap, plus having to swap parts to get 5 lug, unless swapping both front and rear. Here's a basic list of changes/mods that have to be done:

1. Spring perches welded on (2 inch wide)
2. Shock mounts (I made some using channel and some universal shock studs)
3. Swap gears from old axle to new to match rear
4. Steering mechanicals (several ways to accomplish this. I used the tie rod and drag link from a '77 J-10. The Dodge used much smaller TRE's than FSJ's do, so I drilled and tapered the knuckles for the Jeep TRE's)
5. Brake lines (I used some stainless braided Goodrich lines for a CJ that matched up to both the early hard lines and the short rubber lines on the Dodge.
6. U-bolts (Dodge axle has nice 3" tubes like the later FSJ's)
7. U-bolt spring plates (I used ScoutII, because I had some laying around. These can be easily fabbed)
8. Disc/Drum master cylinder (My brakes were manual, so I used a disc/drum MC for a manual disc braked '78 CJ. It bolted right up!)
9. Brake proportioning/combo valve (Used one from a '77 J-10)

[Kevin armstrong]

I think there is an article in jp magazine where they did what you are wanting to do.

[mattmopar440]

What year Ramcharger? Anything from the '80s should work

Yes His was an 1986 I believe