HP30/8.8 or HP44/D60???

[Cue-Ball]

Okay, there is a pair of axles up for sale in my area. They are an HP44/D60 out of a 78 F250.

As you might know I am in the process of building an HP30/8.8 set up, so the question is should I jump on these and ditch the HP30/8.8??

The axles are complete and have 4.10's flat top knuckles, big bearings and the D60 is a full floater.

They are set up for leafs but I could get some brackets to make them compatible with my ZJ right? They are full width also.

This is my DD so is this WAAAAYYY too much axle for me????

[LouisianaZJ]

how deep are you into the 30 + 8.8 so far?

if you dont mind running full width and plan on 35"+ i would go with the 44+60
dont forget about the other incidental costs like new wheels, brakes + steering for the 44 + 60
they willl probably need new bearings

[Troy]

One thing to consider about the f250 44 is that the pumpkin is a little bit off from the f150. That means that if you want to upgrade shafts expect to have to do custom cut and splined inners.

How big of a tire are you running?

[Cue-Ball]

Well I was planning to run 33's or 35's on my HP30/8.8 set up.

I am thinking I should be able to sell my 8.8 for what I paid for it, and the HP30 I am sure I could sell the gears and stuff, so I think that with the stuff I sell I would be about even on the cost of the full width axles.

Then yes it would be more money to work on the 44/60 rebuilds. I am not sure they would need to be completely rebuilt but probably, plus I would need coil sping brackets, disc brakes, and other little stuff.

I don't currently have much invested in wheels right now so that is not an issue.

So how much work is really involved in making this work??

[Nordic1]

If you're shooting to run a 33" or 35" then hp30/8.8...

If you want to run a larger tire or if you want to hammer down then I would go with the 44/60.

[phillyzj]

if you want/need the width go for it. Otherwise the 8.8/hp30 should be fine. That's what i'm building w/ no plans of tires over 35".

My personal opinion, the weight and clearance savings w/ 33-35" tires for the 8.8/hp30 outweigh the strength upgrade of the d44/d60.

Don't forget a loaded drum braked d60 weighs around 500 lbs. and you would ideally want to shave it. the 8.8 weighs about 250-300 loaded.

Even though these axles have 4.10's won't you want to regear them anyways? my axles are at the shop getting 4.88's put in them now....

[Nordic1]

I'll be getting 4.88s when I do my hp30... If you're going to run 35"s Dirk, I would recommend going 4.88 as well

[Cue-Ball]

Okay, I have pulled my heads out of the clouds and have decided to stay on track with my HP30/8.8.

I amd only going to be loading up 4.56's right now and probably just run 33's (I don't want to have to re-gear the 8.8 right now, it came with 4.56's)

[phillyzj]

Okay, I have pulled my heads out of the clouds and have decided to stay on track with my HP30/8.8.

I amd only going to be loading up 4.56's right now and probably just run 33's (I don't want to have to re-gear the 8.8 right now, it came with 4.56's)

sounds good. I definately went through the same ordeals a few times. Even a good deal on bigger axles couldn't beat what i had into the hp30/8.8. Hopefully they will be in by the end of january.

Between the cost of wheels and other upgrades, i decided the hp30/8.8 was the best choice.

I'm a little curious about how the 4.88's will be on the highway but i went with everyone's advice and did them. i'm sure you'll be happy w/ 4.56's, hell they've gotta be better than 3.55's :lol:

[nate]

I'm thinking of going with 4.88s, right now with 4.56 and 33s it's a big turd on the highway.

[Cue-Ball]

I have 3.73's right now and am running 31's and it does fine.

I have heard the 4.45's are pretty good with 33's but all the guys I know with 35's are moving to 4.88's.

Ty from Rock Control is running 5.13's with 35's and says they are a little much on the highway and that 4.88's might have been better.

[LouisianaZJ]

i have 4.56 w/33's
4.88 would def be better. 4.56 is not enough gear

i dont think 5.13s are made for your HP30

[OverkillZJ]

I run 4.56 on the 35's (really what, 34.5?) - V8... just fine on the highway, never even had trouble on Vail Pass or anything else steep and high!

[Nordic1]

i have 4.56 w/33's
4.88 would def be better. 4.56 is not enough gear

i dont think 5.13s are made for your HP30

I don't remember where but somebody makes 5.13 d30 gears.... I don't think I would ever run them though. I'll post the link when I find it

[LouisianaZJ]

http://www.completeoffroad.com/products.php/i-194_538_ring_and_pinion_gears__dana_30.html
i stand corrected..... for a std d30....

whew the hell would run 5.38 on a D30? probably a TJ turd or something

[Cue-Ball]

I will end up running 4.88's and 35's when I am all said an done.