mattaway

My plan was to use chevy 1/2 ton for my SAS, but a buddy of mine has a Scout II that he's putting 1 tons under and said he'd sell me his D44s for a good price. I tried searching around on here for some info on the axels, but didn't find much. The only thing I found was something about the steering being hard to set up.

Has anyone on here used these axles? How much of a pain in the ass is the steering? Would a Chevy D44 be easier/better to use?

Birdbrain

I'd love some feedback as well... Theres a D44 from my uncles scout sitting about 200 Yards away... Ive toyed with the idea of buying it off him. Afterall it is RHD and i think... Wider than a standard toyota axle.

mattaway

Yeah it is wider, should be a full width axel

Birdbrain

The scout II? Its not THAT wide.... Maybe ill go down and measure the thing tomorrow. I would assume it would work though. Probably have to find a way to convert the ends to toyota so you can run the same bolt pattern etc.

MaK92-4RnR

with a D44 your tires will stick out illegally... atleast in california thats the case

Birdbrain

So you cut the housing down and have the axles cut to match as well...

MaK92-4RnR

Meh. Laziness takes over around then... I'd just buy Toyota... haha

mightymouse

iTrader: (6)

read here... http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18859
and here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=724005
and here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=axle+width
and one more http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46606
these are more for comparing pros and cons but you get the idea. The steering can't be rocket science to set up but you'll have to swap the rear as well in most cases to get the gear ratio the same.

Birdbrain

Also, keep in mind, that axle, is at the least, 30+ years old now...

If you go with toyota, itd be 25-30 years old... Toyota quality... not to mention just upgrade the birfs etc. and you also have the ability to say, swap your front diff to rear diff if you break your junk out wheeling, and still get home.

mattaway

Thanks for the links man... I'm getting both front and rear axels (if I buy them) so that won't be a problem

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

Scout D44 is set at Zero degrees of caster. So, you will need to cut and turn the knuckles on the housing. The spring perch width is 31.5" which means you need to outboard the shackle hanger.

The width is only 58.5" wide. So, its no wider than a stock toyota housing. Bolt pattern is 5x5.5. It will cost A LOT more to build than a Toyota axle. Spindle pattern is 8 bolt so you will need Chevy knuckles and spindles and brakes as well. High steer is a lot more expensive on a D44 and not any stronger.

Should I keep going? Or is buying a 81-85 Toyota front axle cheaper/better at this point.

There is a reason why guys don't go with Dana 44 axles. Its because we have learned that its better, cheaper, stronger to stay Toyota.

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

Why not just build your Toyota axles? With built Toyota axles you can run 37"s+ with no problems from what i understand.

mattaway

Alright ScottyC, Chevy 1/2 ton it is!