Currie High Pinion 9"

[Apogee]

You can find decent, used NP205's all day in the PNW for less than $100 on Craigslist...sometimes even mated to a NP435 transmission. I've got a couple extras laying around in fact...they just seem to herd up and accumulate in my garage for some reason. Twin-sticks and rebuild kits add some value.

If this is a mostly street truck, you can cut some corners but why? From the multiple threads you've got going, it sounds like it's being built to at least have the capability to wheel the piss out of the thing (minus the 18's of course)...so I'd build it as beefy as the budget allows. ARB's aren't cheap, so if you ever think you may want to go with 35-spline axles, now is the time. Aftermarket 9" housings for the biger 3.25" bearings are less than $300. Without a Dana 60 up front, there's no question where the weak link will be in 4WD though.

 

[mountainview68]

Without a Dana 60 up front, there's no question where the weak link will be in 4WD though.

No joke!!! ;D ;D My 60 is cut down and waiting for funds to finish. Mean while I am just babying the 44.

I agree with everything Apogee said. you are going to find that with that much power stuff is just going to break. I wish that I would have spent a little more money in the beginning to build things right. As a result I have spent more money overall. I could have done my 60 already for the amount of money I have put into the 44 over the last few years!!! Also upgrade your rear driveline to 1350 joints!!! I left the front 1310 for now hoping ujoints will break before ring and pinon, so far so good.