Dana 44/60 build

[trailsnail]

Well, I finally found a set of axles that I can throw under the YJ. I got my hands on a 44 and 60 for $250 thanks to a friend. Now I just have to get them ready to go under the YJ.



Everything is covered with dirt, grease, leaves, and what not. Means a lot of cleaning, but it gives me something to do while I am waiting for gears. I'm thinking of running a full spool in the front with a locker in the back. Since there are lockable hubs, I don't see any problems with it. Does anyone know where I can get some gears for a good price for them? 4.88's or 5.13's? I'm keeping the 6 and ax-15 for a while so I want to gear them right.

[WFTW]

www.trailduty.com They've got 4.88 and 5.13 gears for sale...and they're reasonably priced ($225). Phil, the guy that runs TD, is extremely nice...you won't find better customer service anywhere.

[korisu56]

Score. Have fun and keep us posted on the build

[Ghost00TJ]

cant see the pics at work but good deal, whats the doner vehicle. have fun and let the money start to flow outward LOL.

[USMCHarleyJeepGuy]

Looks like the shafts by the Mt Dew cases for the rear are flanged (semi-float) and that is def a full float 60 rear...did he give you the right rear axle shafts? If not...no worries...great time to upgrade everything you can afford to upgrade...during the initial build.

[fireboy52]

I dont have any input on the gears but I would say spool the rear too. It will drive the same all the time. No guessing when the locker will kick in or out on the road. You get a bit more tire chirp but its not bad. I run a full spool in the rear of my DD. Just thought I'd throw that out there as a way to save some $.

[JavaTee]

A full spool in the front isn't recommended. Put the locker up front, and spool in the rear (as fireboy 52 suggested). Reason is you will not be able to turn (with a spool in front), both wheels will be rotating the same, and the outside wheel not giving up power so you can start the turn. A locker will 'disengage' the outside wheel allowing the inside to pull you through.
Something to think about.
Later, T.J.

[trailsnail]

Thanks for all the input. From what the guy told me, they came out of a 78 ford. From the looks of them, that sounds about right too. It is going to take me a couple of days to get the money together to buy parts, but they are going to be too sweet when done.

[greenbean]

What size tire are u planning on and what type of trails will you run? With that setup I would seriously consider going as deep as 5.38s since that is a true 44 front. Also I was about to ask the same thing about why a front spool, but it seems they have already covered that, just remember that spool if you do it in the rear with that big rear axle on that puny stock drivetrain will create a great deal more stress being constantly locked up, that is a nice setup though. Do you know what u-joints are on the axle sides of that axle combo you will have to use? Have fun, Dana 60s are Kewl!!!

Will

[trailsnail]

I don't know about the U-joints yet. haven't tried to find out. Either way, it isn't that big of a deal because I will have to get the drive shafts extended when I trow them under the sprins. I haven't made up my mind about the lockers yet, there is still time as I have to save some $'s.