86 Axle Width/Year?

I just picked up a 86 D44 and plan to install it on my 79, what year D30 would mate up with the D44, would it be 80-86? Are there other options for a front D44 that has the same width as the 86? I measured 49 ¼” from the top inside backing plate to backing plate.

 

This is what an '86 CJ 44 should be.

Dana 44/CJ Wide Track 36" between spring pads 54.5" WMS to WMS

You would want an 82-86 CJ for the wide track 30.
Dana 30/CJ Wide Track 28" between spring pads 56" WMS to WMS

To my knowledege there is not a Dana 44 that is a bolt in replacement for wide track 30.

 

Thank you Hawk.

 

But you could use a Scout 44 if your willing to do the spring relocation thing. You probably have a spare set of 30 knuckles so that you dont have to change up the steering box.

 

If you don't mind paying freight from NJ, I know an excellent mechanic who will build anything you want lock to lock at a reasonable rate.
IH Scout parts were all basically bought up and are getting rare/expensive). I had my D44 front built 23 yrs. ago by Bob Chandler (Bigfoot) and he used an odd year Scout D44 w/D30 axle shafts (other Scout D44 years taper from a D44 to approx. a D30 thickness along the length of the axle shaft). The advantage was that they mate right up to the Jeep spline and the short side matches Jeep, but the weak spot is in the D30 U-joint. I have to use a Spicer U-joint & watch it at the risk of wiping out the axle yoke. I'm running a TruTrac up front, so the U-joints take quite a bit of abuse. Now that Chandler got too big w/Bigfoot to keep his retail/fab shop open & closed it about 10 yrs ago, it just took me 1 1/2 weeks to find a longshaft for my front end.
I only made longer shackles & military wrapped my springs, and actually had to shorten my front & rear driveshafts for the larger axle housings.
You probably don't have to worry about this, but i also had to cut a corner of my L-6 232 oil pan skidplate & dimple the oil pan. My first moderate hill climb caused the front prop. to catch & remove the oil pan skidplate. I limped out w/6 body screws in the skidplate holes in the oil pan & yes, my oil pump scavenged 3/4 quart of oil until I could get more.
You will track about 2 to 4 inches wider with the scout front D44.
If I knew then what I know now, I would've built a pair of 60's instead of going 60 rear & 44 front.


gj

 

You really need to rotate your inner knuckles if you do the Scout D44. Not that hard to do, and the Scout swap is worthwhile, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

 

Hmm……maybe I shouldn’t be getting rid of these http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16621 I was planning on using the scouts front and rear until I came across this 86 D44 dirt cheap with the advantage of direct swap in. I also read an articles where they mentioned the scout front wasn’t an easy swap and IIRC something about a lack of turning radius and the spring perches couldn't be moved over due to the diff. housing occupying the necessary space without moving and rewelding the spring hangers. Don't know if this applies to just 5s, 7s or both.

 

To use the scout 44 you have to move your spring hangers to the outside of the frame and build the mounts to support them. Not a big deal if you have the fab skills.

 

scout parts are getting hard to find? man I need to start grabing them when I see at least 0ne or two a month at the junk yard. about the only part that is ever taken is the axle shafts and I know who took those, the guy who I bought my dana 30 from.

 

If I give you the specs on my D44 longshaft, would you hang onto one until & can have it shipped COD?

gj

 

Call Mike at M&M Custom 4X4 - Sicklerville, NJ if you want a great mechanic to build you a bullet proof front end, or a whole truck. His specialty is monster mudders, so little things like building a Dana axle are a cake walk for him.

(856) 906-3161, best time to call is after 1:00pm. tell him Gonzo John gave you his number on the forum.

gj

 

GJ, Thanks for the offer, but I would like the opportunity to experience the rebuild myself.

 

Yeh, PM me. Now I did talk to a buddy yesterday who said they might be drying up soon. Turns out the reason I saw so many at the junkyard for a while was that some guy who had about 50 of them died and his family kept giveing Scouts to the yard in order to get rid of them.

 

Undastood.

I did mine from the frame up around '83 & have built a few bikes, but my riding & wrenching days are over until & get myself rebuilt w/ a couple or 5 surgeries.

Regarding the right spring mounting for a Scout D44, I have 2 inner bolts and an outer U-Bolt set-up. My '74 has the narrow leaf springs.

gj

 

Thanks. I'll PM the info later today.

gj