Dana 44 Project Advice

[Rick Flair]

What I suggested might end up costing well over $1000 less.

Man, I have never done this before. I agree, the Dana 35, makes sense. Yikes.

to play devils advocate. How long will companies make or support the S35 kit? It was a solution at one time and while still one, being as the Dana 35 is long discontinued....and the Dana 44 is not and has a ton more support...

again, cost and use, the S35 makes sense. But another side to consider perhaps.

 

[Fonz54]

What I suggested might end up costing well over $1000 less.

Yes that is what I calculate as well. So let' say I do any opt to sell the 44, one of the spider gears has some nasty chips but everything turns freely. I pulled the axle shafts and they look fine, no scoring or damage. The brakes were shot so I canned them. The axle seals were leaking. I paid $400 If I could get that back without having to add brakes or replace axle seals or bearings then I would be a happy camper. What do you think?

 

[Rick Flair]

Yes that is what I calculate as well. So let' say I do any opt to sell the 44, one of the spider gears has some nasty chips but everything turns freely. I pulled the axle shafts and they look fine, no scoring or damage. The brakes were shot so I canned them. The axle seals were leaking. I paid $400 If I could get that back without having to add brakes or replace axle seals or bearings then I would be a happy camper. What do you think?

You bought it....I’m sure someone else will too.

 

[pagrey]

Yes that is what I calculate as well. So let' say I do any opt to sell the 44, one of the spider gears has some nasty chips but everything turns freely. I pulled the axle shafts and they look fine, no scoring or damage. The brakes were shot so I canned them. The axle seals were leaking. I paid $400 If I could get that back without having to add brakes or replace axle seals or bearings then I would be a happy camper. What do you think?

Do what's right for you and do the math. I think you can sell it for $400, just read the posts above. There is a good market for TJ D44s. For what you describe and a heck of allot more I think a rear locker and open front are the way to go. Heck, you could probably do a front lunchbox and call it a day. I suggested the super35 and rear locker because you sounded like you wanted to spend a bit more and do it right.

 

[Fonz54]

You bought it....I’m sure someone else will too.

That made me laugh.

 

[pagrey]

You might send @Rob5589 a pm and ask a few questions when you decide what you want to do. He's only a few hours away from you and knows this stuff allot better than I do.

 

[jazngab]

OP- I was in your situation a little over a year ago. Found a Dana 44 on Craigslist that came with 4.88 gears and a rebuilt trac loc. Paid $500. I bought it knowing I wasn’t going to use the diff and I would sell it to recoup some money. I sanded it down, hit it with primer and then some rustoleum paint. Brought it the shop to have them regear my Jeep and install the axle at the same time. They installed a trutrac in the Dana 44 and regeared to 4.56. I kept my front lunchbox locker to save some money. I vote keep the Dana 44. But there’s nothing wrong going the s35 route either if you go that way. I believe I paid approximately $2500 for the regear, trutrac, and axle install. I’m using stock Dana 44 axles w 33s. I’m happy with it. I think being able to have a Dana 44 adds some value if you ever decide to sell for whatever reason.

Also, I haven’t been able to sell the 4.88 ring and opinion nor the carrier with rebuilt trac loc. And I only kept the Dana 35 axles hoping to sell but I still have those too. So haven’t really recouped any money trying to sell the old parts.

 

[Fonz54]

You might send @Rob5589 a pm and ask a few questions when you decide what you want to do. He's only a few hours away from you and knows this stuff allot better than I do.

You know it is only an hour less from my house to Sacramento as it from my house to LA.

 

[pagrey]

You know it is only an hour less from my house to Sacramento as it from my house to LA.

I really like Monterey. I have friends that went to UCSC and are still in the area. I'd never tell a friend to drive South, we are crazy down here.

 

[Fonz54]

I really like Monterey. I have friends that went to UCSC and are still in the area. I'd never tell a friend to drive South, we are crazy down here.

Yeah it is really nice here. I live right by the old Fort Ord. Lots of hiking and mountain biking. About four miles in land.