Prerunners B II under construction (finally!)

[prerunner]

Picked up a G2 4.88 ring & pinion and install kit for a standard D44 from Tyller at NSOR this afternoon. This is for whichever end gets the Auburn posi. Still working on the logistics for doing the Jana k4 as I don't have a credit card and don't often travel. Tyller couldn't find chromo shafts for the Scout II rear axle from either company NSOR deals with (G2 & Yukon) so that might also have to be ordered outta the states.

As I was leaving, an 03 Ranger with a D30 Jeep swapped in and riding on 315 75 R 16's had arrived. I asked the guy what he had for front springs, and they were 6" lift for a Cherokee. Probably taller than I wanted but I hadn't considered Cherokee springs. I think I should.

Edit: Tyller can get US Alloy axles (ok, a full kit,) for the Scout II rear D44 for $484 + tax (welcome to Canada) and I'm going for them. The std G2 gears, Auburn pro posi, these axles and some miscellaneous crap will complete this end. Should be plenty strong. Be another 2 weeks out.
I'll save the Jana k4 kit for the front.

 

[prerunner]

Should be seeing the front inner axle shafts this week. Pretty stoked about that. Hopefully, I'll get the rear axles on order soon too.

However, I was reminded of a previous commitment over the weekend that might slow this build down ( as though the first actual motion in a year and a half could be seen as 'fast' .)

I'm not going to totally back burner this. I'll just have less $$ to throw at it for a while.

Edit: Money down on rear axle kit today. Kit includes seals, bolts, wheel studs and 4340 axles. Supposedly only 35 sets left from US Alloy. Should be around 2 weeks out. Added a Poison Spyder aluminum diff cover, its about an inch thick. Cool looking thing.

 

[prerunner]

For the life of me, I can't find a list of parts to put the 8.9" ring & pinion from a Jeep JK into my standard carrier without getting the Jana K4 kit. Although my research has shown that JK's might not be the only D 44's that came so equipped. Apparently, Nissan Titan pickups have used Dana 44 HD's (2004-2007 Titan (32 Spline) 2008–Present Titan (35 Spline).
(I kind of wish I'd known Nissans had 32 & 35 spline D44's from the factory. Most, like my Scout one are 30 spline)
Probably useless trivia to most of you for a rear axle, I know. But a bunch of you guys have D 44 front axles and the 8.9" upgrade for a std carrier (not reverse rotation) is a substantial upgrade.

The Dana Spicer Max momentary output torque in FT-lbs

Low pinion Dana 44 30 spline............3460 [ft/lbs]
High pinion Dana 44 30 spline...........4170 [ft/lbs]
Low pinion rear 8.9" Dana 44 32 spline..5340 [ft/lbs]
(cut & pasted from Wikipedia. 'Dana 44')

Edit: the known weak link in the standard D 44 is the ring & pinion. By replacing it I hope to avoid needing a larger axle like a D 60. At least thats the plan.

Re-edit: once I get the kit, I'll post part numbers. Jantz has pretty good pix on their site. Still no word on parts...

Re-re edit: This thread should include some conversion info. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/isuzu/603807-definative-tech-thread-1998-isuzu-rear-dana-44-axle.html
The Isuzu D44 is another "next gen" version, although this article is going the other way - std gears into a "super" 44 housing.

Re-re-re edit: Nitro Gear also makes a kit, priced at around $450 (US) with ring and pinion. (My 4.88 is PN: D44-488BP-T-NG ) and there is a distributor / installer out in Mission, BC. http://www.enricosdifferentials.com/index.html

 

[dieseldane]

The Dana Spicer Max momentary output torque in FT-lbs

Low pinion Dana 44 30 spline............3460 [ft/lbs]
High pinion Dana 44 30 spline...........4170 [ft/lbs]
Low pinion rear 8.9" Dana 44 32 spline..5340 [ft/lbs]
(cut & pasted from Wikipedia. 'Dana 44')

Edit: the known weak link in the standard D 44 is the ring & pinion. By replacing it I hope to avoid needing a larger axle like a D 60. At least thats the plan.

This is going to be for your front axle right? Remember that a low pinion axle typically used in the rear is not as strong when used in the front due to running on the coast side of the gear.

 

[prerunner]

This is going to be for your front axle right? Remember that a low pinion axle typically used in the rear is not as strong when used in the front due to running on the coast side of the gear.

Thats true but its also a great reason to use a larger ring and pinion in front to improve strength. The Dana 44 HD ring gear is about the size of a Dana 50 ring gear. The pinion is also substantially larger.
Quote from the Wiki "Dana 44" page: "There is a 8.9" diameter Dana 44 ring and pinion that is very different from the standard Dana 44. This ring and pinion is significantly stronger with a better pinion to ring gear tooth contact patch and angle. It was typically used in the back of jeep JKs, Isuzus and Nissan pickups. This ring and pinion does share some components and can be adapted into an earlier Dana 44 but requires some work, different bearings and spacers. The benefit is the larger ring gear, better angle cut on the teeth and Dana 60 diameter pinion shaft."

I get it, guys. The high pinion is better. I'm just trying to make the most of my low pinion axles. Its what I have and what I'm used to. In any case, I can't weld so I wasn't going to narrow a full width axle. My axles cost me $140 (front 73 Bronco) & $175 (rear 79 Scout II) Both still have open 4.10's and are the width I want.
Eventually, I'll go to 8.9's in both ends. If I break one I might go another direction.

 

[prerunner]

Omix-ada (US Alloy - Dana 44 rear) axle kit is in. I'll get it today. I'm thinking of having NSOR assemble the axle and weld on the spring perches, just waiting on a payday, like everyone else on here.

Current game plan: Scout II rear axle housing with disc brakes ( '96 Mustang calipers, Chevy 4 door Tracker disc rotors, ??? adapter plate, could be home brewed.) US Alloy axle shaft kit (wheel studs, bearings, seals, 4340 axles), G2 4.88 (for a Scout II, not a Jana k4) ring & pinion with install kit, Auburn 'pro series' limited slip, Poison spyder's inch thick aluminum cover. Sound good?

 

[prerunner]

Poison spyder's inch thick aluminum cover.

Not Aluminum. My bad. High Ductile Nodular Iron. And an inch thick around the bolts only.

http://shop.poisonspyder.com/Dana-44-Diff-Cover-p/42-10-044.htm

 

[prerunner]

How long should a reputable shop take to rebuild a rear axle? I'm being told 8 hours at $90 / hour plus shop supplies and tax.

8 hours seems kind of long for a rear diff.

 

[dieseldane]

How long should a reputable shop take to rebuild a rear axle? I'm being told 8 hours at $90 / hour plus shop supplies and tax.

8 hours seems kind of long for a rear diff.

Yeah, for that much a guy could buy the tools and set it up himself for sure.

 

[escort_gts]

8 hours for a person in their garage, not for a shop.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 4

 

[prerunner]

8 hours for a person in their garage, not for a shop.

Thats what I thought. Thanks, guys.

 

[prerunner]

Well, the '96 Exploder Centaurus is gone, traded towards a new 2013 Dodge Journey. Hey, if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy.

Looking forward to having a pickup again.

Edit: After weeks of shopping online for a pickup, I've found nothing. But its winter beater time. Even another Explorer would suffice at this point.

 

[prerunner]

Still no pickup. I've called or emailed about every cheap Ranger in a 60 mile radius. This is getting embarrassing. I don't want anything but.
As a truck driver I deal with a mechanic shop here locally that will do the BII rear D44 for around $600. But the mechanic who does that for them is off till mid-November. Its always something.

Hope to catch a break tomorrow on a 91 Ranger 2wd supercab, 4.0 auto. Needs brakes and has a cracked windshield. If it makes it home I'll post it. (Ain't too pretty...) Theres also that pesky emissions thing...

 

[prerunner]

Guy with the Ranger messages me back, 'I totally forgot it has a vehicle inspection on it.' So its screwed.
This was one of three people to actually return my call or email in 2 months of searching. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people? Its way past frustrating now, I gotta give up and try another type of pickup. I want something, preferably a Ford, before the weekend.

Edit: Bought a 93 Ranger yesterday. 2wd, supercab, rebuilt 4.0 5 speed. Just getting a clutch installed, needs back bumper, alignment, tires. $500. High Km's but not too bad looking. I'll post pix soon.

 

[prerunner]

Heres a question for you guys who know manual transmissions: 93 Ranger, 5 speed. Engine running or not, clutch in or out, transmission goes in and out of gear seemingly normally except it doesn't move like its in neutral.
I left it at my brothers (has a heated garage and I don't) for him to pull the trans.
The clutch mc was low but not empty. Neutral in the shifter is a little vague but about whats expected with a lot of miles.
I assume when a clutch packs it in it doesn't easily come out of gear. This is new to me. I usually avoid manual trannys cuz I drive truck for a living and get too much of it at work.
Any suggestions?

Edit: Replacing clutch tomorrow. Former owner was a teen, smoked clutch out of it. Oh well...