jbjarko

My brother is building his ramcharger and took out the 1/2 ton running gear and swapped in one tons. Well, for me, luckily it is all the same bolt pattern as my TJ, full width, etc...just have to weld the bracketry which is fine by me.

Anyway, I have heard issues dealing with the unit bearings on this year 44 front? Told to avoid, but it's hard to avoid when axles are costly, and these are well free. I would put new bearings, seals, etc. in...I just can't get over the free part. I really don't want to run more than 37s at this point. One day I may go to 40s or 42s, but at that will be awhile and and I'll be running 609s.

Just lookin for thoughts.

Thanks

Tate

Couldn't you just swap in ford or chev knuckles and use the respective stubshafts on the dodge housing?

ofcmarc

That's the easy way to upgrade. You can usually find all the parts you need at the junk yard pretty cheap but.....

My .02
If you are going to 37" or larger tires, 1/2 ton axles are not the best choice even if they are free.

jbjarko

Yea I know. but it seems like a cheap solution to the axles that are in there now. The more I think about it, the less I want to dump money in these axles if I will just go to 60s or 609's down the road.

Tate

Are you going to buy those D60-9" hybrid, or are you gonna fab one up? That was my plan for my 78 F-150 4x4, even bought a FF D61, and butchered the ends off to weld onto a 9" housing. But then I bought the dodge and haven't spent a cent on it since. Anyone want a nice Ford 4by?

jbjarko

I am going to more or less build them to my specs. It is going to be costly, but it will be the LAST axles I will ever need.

I plan on going with these housings; http://www.spidertrax.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.1247/.f
Third member from www.truehi9.com
Solid Axles full float 60 hubs, spindles...35 spline drive flange..
3/4 ton Chevy Brakes
Alloy Usa or Moser shafts..

And on the front I am going to use F450 kingpin knuckles. Pricey, but soooo worth it.