Dana: 44 or 60

[ricklorion]

Ok,
I have made it through looking up all the info for both 44 and 60. I plan to swap out to either (both front and rear) Dana 44 or Dana 60. However, I want some options. Do you guys think?

 

[j602]

Well, we need some info first. What kind of wheeling do you plan to do? What size tires do you want to run? If it's hard wheeling on tires 38 and above, I say Dana 60.

 

[ricklorion]

Well, we need some info first. What kind of wheeling do you plan to do? What size tires do you want to run? If it's hard wheeling on tires 38 and above, I say Dana 60.

Wheeling: Trail rig, anything I can get my tires on and over.
Tires: 35+
Here's the deal though. California limits the lift of a truck due to the weight of the vehicle. If I take off the 8.8" in the back, and add two Dana 60 axles that will be half a ton in my favor of get a better lift. However, my X is V-6 4.0L (little power), so that means a lot of enginnering. From what I have pulled up on the two axles here are some of the dis- and advantages of both: (I had found a TON of information on TRS )
Dana 44:
Availability of axle: Plentiful
Availability of replacement parts: Plentiful
Strength of axle: Mediocre, weak spider gears, u-joints, ring and pinion

Dana 60:
Availability of axle: Plentiful, a little bit less than Dana 44
Availability of replacement parts: Plentiful
Strength of axle: The driver-side carrier bearing was known to spin on the carrier and this often spun the race, which can damage the housing (Which I am still trying to understand)

 

[james t]

Pretty simple.

If your gonna run up to a 37" tire, a 44 will be okay (depending on what type of D44 it is). If you're going 38" or bigger, you need the 60. You can get away with about a 38" max on a 44 if you run chromo shafts and CTM ujoints.

Basically, there are too many variables to flat out tell you what front to run. It just depends.

 

[Robb]

Price of front 60 in CA: A LOT!

Does CA really weigh your vehicle to determine what class you fall into? Most states just go by sticker weight.

I don't think you need 60s. Asking if you need 60s is usually the first indicator that you don't need them.

 

[ricklorion]

Price of front 60 in CA: A LOT!

Does CA really weigh your vehicle to determine what class you fall into? Most states just go by sticker weight.

I don't think you need 60s. Asking if you need 60s is usually the first indicator that you don't need them.

True.
I thought it was by weight, I definitely don't know. Most likely by sticker weight.
I thought 60's might be OVERKILL, but I thought hell why not.

 

[jasonb]

Either is an upgrade. I'd slap an HP d44 under it, 60 or 9" the rear and call it good. The cost of a d60 front is MUCH higher than a d44. You could buy a built up d44 front for close to what a plain jane d60 would cost.

 

[AspenX]

Do you guys think?

I try not to, it doesn't do me any good.

 

[ricklorion]

Either is an upgrade. I'd slap an HP d44 under it, 60 or 9" the rear and call it good. The cost of a d60 front is MUCH higher than a d44. You could buy a built up d44 front for close to what a plain jane d60 would cost.

I am going to go with the D44.
I just "tried" to find some stuff here in CA and wow. #1: Cost too much #2: Very hard to find
Thanks guys!

 

[ricklorion]

I try not to, it doesn't do me any good.

Me either, because when I do I pull out my hair thinking about what to do to my X.