44 Alum build

[cwm]

my 35 is crapping out so im building a 44 Alum for it
as it sits now

whats coming
: http://s159.beta.photobucket.com/use...%20skid?page=1

[fpkites]

You're going to rotate it 90 degrees? Amazing!!!

[IndyZJ]

Don't forget to weld the tubes to the center.

[black_zj]

What's "built" about it? Are you building a truss?

[cwm]

[QUOTE=black_zj;339950]What's "built" about it? Are you building a truss?[/QUOT
http://s159.beta.photobucket.com/use...%20skid?page=1

[ZJ TINS]

I hope you got it free cause for the effort an 8.8 is a better option. That why you see no build threads here or Pirate for an Aluminum D44.

[polar_jeep_04]

I hope you got it free cause for the effort an 8.8 is a better option. That why you see no build threads here or Pirate for an Aluminum D44.

Agreed. The 88 is stronger and has a wider aftermarket. With the 88 truss ZJ swap kit from artec you would be crazy not to use a 88

[IndyZJ]

Agreed. The 88 is stronger and has a wider aftermarket. With the 88 truss ZJ swap kit from artec you would be crazy not to use a 88

8.8 is a stronger axle, but he has a WJ, so he'd need wide spacers/ adapters to match the front. The 44A can be a decent axle if set up properly and is a good match for a 30. A real truss and a skid would fix two of it's bigger issues, other than extremely limited aftermarket support.

I would figure out a way to tie the differential into that "truss"/ glorified wishbone mount and weld up a BTF diff cover for it. It would probably be easiest to tie it all together through the diff guard, but there may be an easy way to tie into the stock wishbone mount, too.

[quadratokn]

I would figure out a way to tie the differential into that "truss"/ glorified wishbone mount and weld up a BTF diff cover for it. It would probably be easiest to tie it all together through the diff guard, but there may be an easy way to tie into the stock wishbone mount, too.

That's the plan.

The market is small enough as-is, those that warrant a need for a 44a truss aren't likely going to need something that spans from flange to flange, etc etc. At that point you're better off building a 60, 14b, 9, etc.

I'd bet money on snapping a shaft or splitting a carrier cap before bending a tube. There's too many variables to say for certain though.

[IndyZJ]

It's a good product, especially for the WJ crowd as the vast majority that are even wheeled are not abused beyond the survivability of a 44A's components - the biggest problem is the housing itself and this design at least takes a good deal of strain off of the aluminum chunk, ties the tubes together, and adds a skid so you don't grind through the bottom of the pumpkin.

[cwm]

As mater of fact I did get it for free and I could have gotten an 8.8 if I would have wanted it.
However for this WJ build it is going to be my daily driver/ expedition/ gold prospecting rig which will never see any bigger than 33 inch tires, it will be wheeled and it will be protected, after rear is done up
and as soon as quadratokn hookes me up with the truss and skid i will move on to sliders then to bumpers,
The 44 will bolt in uses same lug pattern, same e brakes has the same gear ratio as my front axle has and is plenty strong enough for what i need it to do.

[polar_jeep_04]

I didn't even think about it being a WJ 'doh! My bad. I have ZJ on my mind.

[ZJ TINS]

Well good luck, the Al center will be tough but it will be interesting to see what you come up with.

[cwm]

making it purty

The i ordered this lol


Axle all cleaned up just need parts

[cwm]

Got diff cover in last night made it purty tonight

Should have rest of the parts next week

[black_zj]

One thing to keep an eye on is the BTF cover rubbing the gas tank skid, happened to mine until I did some adjusting.

[cwm]

got truss last night got to start on it tonight seems very nice!!!

[cwm]

[cwm]

made som more progress tonight 3 hours of welding

[cwm]

making it weather proof

[cwm]

got it installed today no major probs ended up using D35 backing plates didnt even have to crack a break line.
Did have to drill and tap a new hole for axle vent and break line attachment, I will be getting a braided steel line to replace it but it works for now.
Sway bar hits the BTF cover bad had to take it off for now going to have to make some spacers for it not to happy about that!
Also it looks like it my hit the tank at full compression got to check that out still.
I forgot about the drive shafts being different and i was in bind at time cuz this is my only vehicle at the moment and since I plan on a hack and tap later I just cut 1 inch from output shaft and yoke seems to work for now.

[polar_jeep_04]

This that the brake line going past the bottom of the diff cover?

[polar_jeep_04]

I still think a 8.8" would have been better. If the only grip is the narrow axle the adapter to make it 5x5 would have offset that.

[cwm]

That was the rear sway bar hitting the BTF diff Cover
"I still think a 8.8" would have been better. If the only grip is the narrow axle the adapter to make it 5x5 would have offset that"
8.8 prob would be better but I got this 44 for free so that helps and I didn't have to buy a bracket kit drive shaft adapter re drill axel to 5.5 figure out how to get ebrake to work ect ect ect...

[texlurch]

The swaybar spacers IRO sells will keep it from rubbing on the BTF cover.
Did you toss in a lunchbox locker while you had it apart?