Tom's Bronco Parts Dana 44 Chromoly Axles

[luderchris]

First time out with my new Dana 44 Aussie locker installed and I smoked the drivers side Ujoint and axle.

I am looking to upgrade the Axles and I searched a bit on here. Seems like people are pretty happy with the Tom's Bronco Parts Chromoly set-up. For the price it is the way I am leaning.

http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product.php?id=1116

Any thoughts on why I should go a different direction? $$$ and time to install are definate considerations.

Thanks in advance for the input.

Chris

 

[Steve]

Ask Tom's if those are Yukon shafts, which they probably are. If so, run away.

 

[VT_Don]

Chris, In searching for a Dana 44 axle upgrade, discovered some very poorly designed and manufactured product being offered. I've been in both OEM and aftermarket driveline manufacturing for many years. Some of the absolute idiots I've encountered in the performance industry boggle the imagination.
I'd appeal to anyone serious about this hobby to purchase and read, "Engineer To Win" by Carroll Smith.
http://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Motorbooks-Workshop-Carroll-Smith/dp/0879381868
Pay close attention to the chapter on axle and half shaft design.
Based on the lack of quality product, am contemplating making these axles myself. Would be correct length for use with Chevy-type disc brake conversion. Like everything else, cost will be volume based.

 

[methcat]

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154061

 

[luderchris]

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154061

I saw that thread, but there is no definitive info on whether or not they are Yukon Axles that WH and Tom's are selling.

I know Mark from WH is on here, but he has not responded to that thread. Is anyone from Tom's on CB.com?

I will see if I can come up with some info from them today.

Also -- if they were Yukon, would they say it anywhere on the shafts?

 

[methcat]

... i bought the chromo's from toms and they "elluded" to me that they were probably from the same place as the WH axles and that they were not yukon but a local shop....

i probably should have clarified, the elluded part was them being the same as wh shafts, the not being yukon part they told me. but you you could always call them.

 

[Steve]

Also -- if they were Yukon, would they say it anywhere on the shafts?

No, they won't.

 

[luderchris]

i probably should have clarified, the elluded part was them being the same as wh shafts, the not being yukon part they told me. but you you could always call them.

OK. So they flat out told you they are not Yukons?

 

[VT_Don]

Does the Yukon product have country of origin marked permanently on the shaft as required?

 

[Steve]

Does the Yukon product have country of origin marked permanently on the shaft as required?

The last ones I bought didn't. One did have a sticker saying 'Made in India.' They were junk.

 

[1sicbronconut]

You're going to spend more $$ but these are the only way to go in my book anymore. http://www.rcvperformance.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=67

 

[Broncobowsher]

When I shopped around for axle shafts a few years back I found there were 2 basic versions of shafts. The nice $600-800 sets. Pick your big name.
then the lesser $300-400 sets. This came in as either Yukons or stock Spicers that have had the long side shortened and resplined. I prefer the Spicer shafts over the Yukons. The spicer are NOT cut for full circle C-clips for the U-joints, The Yukons are. That makes the Yukons prepped for aftermarket joints, the Spicers are designed only for stock type U-joints.

If you only need a mild upgrade above stock, the $300 range. The Spicers with real spicer joints will be great. If you need more then that, dig deep into your wallet for the big name stuff.

 

[KyleQ]

You're going to spend more $$ but these are the only way to go in my book anymore. http://www.rcvperformance.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=67

I second these - I'll have RCV shafts in my D60 when the time comes (probably shortly after I swap in the 351)

 

[jav6694]

rcv performance

I am in the process of installing the rcv performance shafts now i was told
only three sets have been sold for dana 44 anyone here have them.

 

[luderchris]

I am in the process of installing the rcv performance shafts now i was told
only three sets have been sold for dana 44 anyone here have them.

That doesn't give them much of a track record.

 

[VT_Don]

re: "You're going to spend more $$ but these are the only way to go in my book anymore."

Please explain what makes these axles the best choice. From what I gather, RVC Performance is only a distributor. These axles could be made anywhere. Do admit, their warranty is excellent if they honor it.

 

[Steve]

Yukon honors their warranty, but how often do you want to change out a broken axle, ship the broken one back (at your expense), and wait for a replacement to arrive?

 

[KyleQ]

That doesn't give them much of a track record.

The D60 shafts they make are unbreakable - they use those same D60 shafts in their rockwell shafts as well. They have yet to be broken - only a prototype has broken so far, and they have been redesigned since then.

 

[KyleQ]

re: "You're going to spend more $$ but these are the only way to go in my book anymore."

Please explain what makes these axles the best choice. From what I gather, RVC Performance is only a distributor. These axles could be made anywhere. Do admit, their warranty is excellent if they honor it.

RCV makes them - Bobby Long (Longfield) used to carry these, they were made by RCV. Their FAQ states this:
What if these joints suck? What if I am unhappy with this product? Do you have any kind of guarantee?
WE VALUE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BEFORE ALL ELSE! A %100 SATISFACTION GUARANTEE COMES WITH ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS. THIS MEANS A %100 PERCENT MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

These are the best choice because you simply cannot find anything stronger on the market - the machine that is used to find the breaking strength of chromoly shafts and joints broke when they tried to break the CV's -

Ujoints - weather they are spicers, CTM's, Yukon Golds or whatever need to be taken apart and greased - that means you need to tear down the axle to do so. The RCV CV axles only need to be greased twice a year at best - and you don't have to take anything apart to grease it.

They steer smoothly up to 45* - ujoints simply don't do that.

I am in no way associated with RCV - I just see a superior product when one is available, the price difference between these shafts and good Warn shafts and CTM's is negligible when you look into warranty, service life, rebuidability and capability.

 

[Bronco Brian]

I ran Warns with CTM in myDana 44, But thinking of SUPERIOR for my Dana 60
I would check on Pirate4X4.com lots of Vendors sell them.

http://www.superioraxlegear.com/tube-seals-axle-kits-c-13.html?products_page=2&deep=true


Part #EV44LFS
D44, 71-77 Bronco, CHROME-MOLY LEFT FRONT AXLE KIT
Superior Axle and Gear's Evolution series axle kits contain the finest axle shafts available -- made of premium alloys, precision machined and finished with a proprietary dual heat-treat process. These kits carry Superior's famous lifetime warranty.

$345.00 Part #EV44RFS
D44, 71-77 Bronco, CHROME-MOLY RIGHT FRONT AXLE KIT
Superior Axle and Gear's Evolution series axle kits contain the finest axle shafts available -- made of premium alloys, precision machined and finished with a proprietary dual heat-treat process. These kits carry Superior's famous lifetime warranty.

$379.50