Dana 44 Question

[Lt1Burb]

The Bronco I just bought has a 79 Dana 44 in it and is too wide, I hate the look. I was told by a guy at Tom's Bronco that you shorten one side but that doesn't make sense. Is it 1.5" from each axle to narrow to stock width.

 

[Master Chief]

The Bronco I just bought has a 79 Dana 44 in it and is too wide, I hate the look. I was told by a guy at Tom's Bronco that you shorten one side but that doesn't make sense. Is it 1.5" from each axle to narrow to stock width.

This article explains the reasoning and process ... http://d44tech.com/Narrowing_HP_D44.html

 

[NateMob]

You could always go to a narrower and higher offset wheel.

 

[Seventee]

This article explains the reasoning and process ... http://d44tech.com/Narrowing_HP_D44.html

That article is correct about narrowing the p/s side by 6", but I disagree with how they accomplished that.

You can grind the weld out of the joint between the cast section and tube to remove the end of the tube from the cast section (it goes into the cast section about 3" or so). Then cut 6" off the tube end, reinsert into the cast section making sure to retain the correct castor relationship, then re-weld. No need to splice/sleeve.

 

[Jedeka]

I don’t know what you are going to use the Bronco for, but one idea I had was to trade axles with someone looking for the wide, high pinion axle.

 

[Lt1Burb]

Good article, looks like something I can do most of here.

 

[Seventee]

It's really not that bad of a job if you have basic fab/welding skills. EB 44's are getting expensive so it would be worth some time to work with what you have.

 

[garberz]

Good article, looks like something I can do most of here.

Keep in mind that the driver’s side inner axle is longer on the HP44, only by 5/8”. So you’ll need to keep using it, and not an EB width inner axle.

Mark

 

[garberz]

I shortened both sides on my HP44. That way I could keep my EB axles and adjust the pinion angle as needed. Grind the weld off both ends where the cast meets the tube. Cut tubing to length, press the cast ends back on and weld. Do one side at a time, so you have a reference for the pinion angle.

Mark

 

[jamesroney]

Keep in mind that the driver’s side inner axle is longer on the HP44, only by 5/8”. So you’ll need to keep using it, and not an EB width inner axle.

Mark

What he said...and:

Keep in mind that the HP44 uses larger axle u-joints. So you'll have to by a custom passenger side 297X / 260 EB width inner axle.

(or cut and re-spline yours)

 

[sprdv1]

I shortened both sides on my HP44. That way I could keep my EB axles and adjust the pinion angle as needed. Grind the weld off both ends where the cast meets the tube. Cut tubing to length, press the cast ends back on and weld. Do one side at a time, so you have a reference for the pinion angle.

Mark

magic time....

 

[garberz]

magic time....

Thanks Dave, my patience were gone at that point!

Mark