dana 44 8 lug conversion

[thomastenn]

wanting to go 8lug on my 90 gw dana 44 whos done it?

[alwomac]

It is super easy. All you need is the 8 lug hub and rotor and the caliper bracket for the bigger rotor. The caliper is the same and so are all the bearings and the spindle. The easiest way to get the parts are an 8 lug 10 bolt Chevy front axle. I actually found an entire 8 lug 10 bolt front axle for 100 bucks with new rotors.

[jeeping1974]

What ^ said.

Either 3/4 ton D44 of 10 bolt will work. Very easy to do. It will add 7/8" of with on both sides (1 3/4" total).

[Youngblood]

I found a complete CJ10A axle on craigslist, cheap, had everything to do the conversion,,,, only thing to watch on that axle is it is a 2wd with 4wd rotors, stindle will not have inner axle bearings, just pop them in. Rotors and caliper brackets will work off of a Chevy truck up to 91 with the old body style.

[78J-10]

I did it to mine. Very easy took less the 4 hours and thats putting all new bearings and seals.

[Texis]

You will need the 3/4t spindles as well as the outter hubs. I have a pair of D44 8 lug outter hubs and spindles. They are rough. The hubs could be cleaned up but I don't think one of the spindles can run again (pitted in the seal area)

I got "had" on these things a couple of years back on the CK5 board. Paid $100 bucks and was very disappointed.

You can have them for $20 bucks + frieght if you want them. Consider that you are buying a rough pair of outters hubs, and may have to hunt down a pair of spindles and you will still need the backing plates. (caliper mounts)

Best bet is to find a turn key 10B axle with all the parts needed. As stated D44 or Chevy 10B will both work.

[Diesel YJ]

What is the advantage for the 8 lug conversion? I can see upgrading the entire axle and if he swapped the rear for a 3/4 or 1 ton 8 lug axle but is just upgrading the outters to match wheels? The axle itself is still a 1/2 ton and weak in comparison.

[Youngblood]

You will need the 3/4t spindles as well as the outter hubs. I have a pair of D44 8 lug outter hubs and spindles. They are rough. The hubs could be cleaned up but I don't think one of the spindles can run again (pitted in the seal area)

I got "had" on these things a couple of years back on the CK5 board. Paid $100 bucks and was very disappointed.

You can have them for $20 bucks + frieght if you want them. Consider that you are buying a rough pair of outters hubs, and may have to hunt down a pair of spindles and you will still need the backing plates. (caliper mounts)

Best bet is to find a turn key 10B axle with all the parts needed. As stated D44 or Chevy 10B will both work.

The spindles on my 78 J10 were big bearing didnt have to change those when I did mine, and I got an extra set of spindles out of the deal

[alwomac]

What is the advantage for the 8 lug conversion? I can see upgrading the entire axle and if he swapped the rear for a 3/4 or 1 ton 8 lug axle but is just upgrading the outters to match wheels? The axle itself is still a 1/2 ton and weak in comparison.

The only real advantage is a larger rotor therefore better braking. Most people do it to match up to an 8 lug rear axle. The spindle and bearings are the same so no real strength advantage other than 6 lug to 8 lug. You also get 2 inches of width out of it which is cool.

[76FSChief]

I am in the middle of cleaning up the Chev parts for this swap right now - got an entire front diff out of a 78 3/4ton and took it apart to make the swap. I got most of my information from this site http://coloradok5.com/8lugconversion.shtml hope it helps.