I have the opportunity to possibly pic up a Dana 44 pass drop pretty cheap. I have been searching here and on Pirate, but most the stuff is pertaining to 3rd gen. and tacos. What should I be looking for when I go to look at it? I don't want to end up with a "cheap" lawn ornament. I eventually want to do a spring over SAS on my '93 runner. Any help would be appreciated. Also I noticed when people measure axles they talk about WMS (what is that?). If it has the 5 lugs, what is needed to change it to a 6 lug? thanks

 

WMS, wheel mounting surface.

You want something at least 58" WMS to WMS so you are wider than you rear, by convention. I am at 67ish and 66ish with Diamonds.

It is likely sprung under, so you will have to move the perches.

Because of this, you will likely have to cut and turn to get a decent castor angle.

If you are going to wheel it, you are really only using the housing and knuckles, the inners, stubs and joints need to get ditched for something stronger.

 

Thanks Flygtenstein. Looking at an axle, that's where I would measure it from, but I didn't know if that was what WMS stood for. I know about getting the beefier items, I was wondering about the knuckles (flat top, etc...) Should I look for flat top knuckles and if so what do they look like? Would it be possible to swap out hubs to a 6 lug hub? thanks,

 

Have you read Steve Schaefer's research here?

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152/alternatives-toyota-front-axles-sass-rear-options-too-85702/

 

My favorite Dana equipped 4runner....

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=7385.0

 

Yes, now that I know what WMS stands for it makes more sense.

 

check out ErikB's page on 4x4wire.com. Done a lot of Dana44 swaps on 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners.

 

did one on his brother's 91 4Runner...
LINK


found this... too bad it's on the east coast.
LINK

 

Jeep Wagoneer, or Grand Wagoneer, 60 1/2" W.M.S. to W.M.S. 99 4runner 59 1/2"

Dana 44, passenger or drivers side pumpkin, different years had them on either side.

6 hole hubs, same spacing as toyota, or chevy. Brakes, rotors calipers, pads, same as chevy.

Rob Flattop knuckles off of any 71-78 chevy-gmc 1/2 ton, will bolt right on in place of the jeep non-flattop knuckles.

 

Thanks guys! I have been doing a lot more reading. The axle I have the opportunity to get is out of a J2000 truck. The guy said that it has the 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern, I was hoping that is was going to be the same as the waggy, but I guess it isn't. It sounds like I should wait for a waggy axle. Thanks again guys!