rear d44 gears into a front d44

I am planning to upgrade my front axle soon from a d27 to either a d30 or d44. I have chosen them because I want to have disc brakes, and the add width of a wider axle as well as the strength. I was wondering if any of you knew if I could use the 5.38 gear set out of an extra early cj5 rear d44 to regear a front d44.

If this works are there anyparts I need besides gears? I would be doing the rebuild with help from a friend who has built axles before.

 

To regear would I need bearings? I am not exactly clear on what is intailed but if the gears work then I can do a d44 for cheaper than a d30. Stronger and cheaper is never a bad thing.

 

In the d44 I have its 5.38 and I don't have the front d44 yet. If the gears work then wouldn't the carrier? The thing I am worried about is the difference in the spline count but I don't know how important that is.

 

the carrier break is 3.73 up (lower numerically) and 3.92 down (higher numerically) Also you need the correct spider gears for your axle shafts (ie: 10, 19 or 30 spline).

 

The rear 44 ring and pinion will work in a front 44 housing as long as it is NOT a high pinion front housing, meaning the pinion in the housing is above the centerline of the axle. If the pinion comes in below the centerline just like the rear you are fine. The diff case (commonly mis-labled a "carrier" (a carrier is what the case, bearings, ring and pinion, etc all fits into)) needs to match the gear ratio you are running and the spline count you need for your axles. There are 4 possibilities. 3.92 down to 5.38 gears and 3.73 up to 2.54 as mentioned above. These are two different cases as the ring gear flange is offset different to accommodate the different diameters in pinions due to gear ratios.
The other two cases have to do with side gear (or axle) spline counts. 10 and 19 spline axle share one case and 27 and 30 spline axles share a different case. The side bearings are different between the 10/19 spline cases and the 27/30 spline cases. You cannot simply put in 30 spline side gears in a 19 spline open case or vice verse, they won't interchange in an open case. However, with a Powerlock limited slip you can. Nickmil

 

So if I got a 30 spline d44 say out of Scout I could use my gears and carrier out of my 19spline d44 if I used a spool? or mini spool? I was planning on probly welding it anyways would that work? Thanks for all info guys and keep it coming.

 

Uhhhhhhh. Aren't front axle gears reverse cut due to being in the opposite direction?????

 

X2 If you want more pull in the front, use a Powerlok or a selectable locker.

 

Alright so without spooling the front axles I can use the gears and carrier but I will need new spider gears? How do I know what spiders I need?

 

Thanks for all the info guys I think I am going to go with a d44 instead of d30 now.