Offset Dana 44 with flanged axles

Ridiculous how expensive they are, but they only made them for a short time and everybody wants one! Supply and demand...

I have a J3000 with a 44 in the rear that I am thinking about narrowing and putting intermediate CJ5 housing ends on. I have the CJ donor axle, the J3000 donor, and I own a Strange housing jig, so I think I can do it for the price of axles and bearings. But that's still going to be close to $500 if I had to guess.

 

you guys want a dana 44 offset flanged?
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/4932432043.html

 

I went back an looked at the 44 I bought today. It has clutches on the outside of the axle spider gears is this the power lock???

 

Sounds interesting just a little nervous about sending that much to someone I don't know or have any connections with.

 

I know nothing about this axle, the person or place. I just happen to be in pittsburg for a job. I have no use for it as i am building a D44 full float axle.

 

I'm guessing you mean between the case and differential side gears. If the case halves bolt together then probably a Powerlock. If the case is cast as one piece and has two large windows, one pinion shaft, and only two pinion (spider) gears then most likely a Trac-Loc.

 

By the time you rebuild it the way you want it (gear set, limited slip, bearings, brakes etc etc) you'll still end up at 1K or more.
I bought mine for $300 and by the time I was done I was at $1200.
You need to be realistic on what these axles will truly cost.

I have a complete, rebuildable flanged 44 right now in my garage that I paid $XXX for and drove 100 miles to get.
It's for a friend.

 

Looks like it is a track loc.
Will this work for a light duty application

 

The more I look the more I learn. Thanks for the input. I don't mind driving a couple hundred miles.

 

If it still has the stock spider gears, they are it. The rest is actually well matched. The problem with shearing the key on the two piece axles is that it is usually more than just the key and you may end up replacing hubs and/or axle shafts. That said, I agree with Chuck that in normal use, they can last a long time. The key operative being "can". Highly dependent on driving style.

 

What are the thoughts on running a posi with the 2-piece axles????

 

That was my thoughts also. The shipping will be a lot since it will have to go truck freight. Maybe just run mine till I stumble on one kinda locally!!!

 

Ran that way for years and years myself.
No issues till I broke an axle (fatigue I guess) replacement axles at that time were no longer USA made.
Broke 2 more axles (cheap foreign axles) changed to full float and USA made axles. No more problem.
Recently changed to flanged 44 because the opportunity arose and it will take more abuse. (not that I abuse my jeep)

 

I ran the tapered axle for years with serious abuse including racing. Never had a problem with the flange/axle/keyway as long as the axle nut was kept torqued. I replaced them with full float because I started twisting the axle splines (oem axles) and flat tow a lot.

 

Sounds like i should be safe using my tapered shaft and a posi. Just don't side step the clutch HA HA . Thanks for all the help guys

 

I have 2 extra off set flanged 44's I also am in PA though.

 

you would not be planning a road trip to KS anytime soon HA HA