So I've killed my Dana 30 and I think it's time to upgrade to a 44
But looking at craigslist I realize I have no idea what I'm looking for... :red|

How important is the Spline count?
If the axle isn't setup for Spring over, am I going to stuck with a cutting and welding job that I can't complete?

What else do I need to know?
I'm in way over my head, the more I think about it maybe I should just replace the shaft.....

from the avatar pic you need a pass side drop 44. or a 10 bolt from a chevy. a hp 44 is the best best youd have to retube it for the pass side drop. also most 44s out there at for full width setups. if your is narrower than youll have to narrow it. a waggoneer 44 might work for you pretty well. there just a little harder to find. most of the 44s out there that were under trucks and such will be setup for spring over but the width wont be the same. if you plan on wheeling any harder or just want to have a more relialble setup i would upgrade to the 44. if you have anymore questions you can call me and i can probly answer any more questions you have.
chris

mmmmmmm Spline count, at least 27 or 30, but depends on how big of tire your going to get up to 35s 37s 40s. You need to measure were you spring perches sit, how wide are they. Plus wheel mounting surface, over all widthe of the axle try to keep it as close to yours as possible.

Most are going to be spring under, but you might get lucky. You can buy new spring perches and weld them on top and dont have to grind off the o.g. ones. Plus look at your diff you have a pass side diff and look at were it mounts. Does it mount in the casting of the diff or on the axle tube.

Waggy 44 is going to be the "cheapest" way to go. Odds are you are probably going to have to outboard the front springs no matter what axle you go with. And with that axle you can find them in 5x5.5 bolt pattern so you can still use your wheels.

I know where he can find a great D60... }:)

(as pittance, I'll go bump it. sorry dude.)

alanzona wrote: I know where he can find a great D60...

(as pittance, I'll go bump it. sorry dude.)

Yea I wish I could afford a D60, as it is I'm not sure I can afford the 44 upgrade

Showboat wrote:Plus look at your diff you have a pass side diff and look at were it mounts. Does it mount in the casting of the diff or on the axle tube.

You lost me, look at where what mounts?
Here's what I have



I'm already on 36s and don't think I'll go any larger. I just need to quit breaking stupid u-joints on silly obstacles. From my understanding 36s are too large of a tire for the Dana 30 in the first place right?

the casting for the center section leaf spring mount Under the leafspring

Showboat wrote:the casting for the center section leaf spring mount Under the leafspring

yup the mount is welded to the diff casting

Quadfire wrote:yup the mount is welded to the diff casting

That's the problem with CJ's. The frame is so narrow that doing an axle swap usually leads to outboarding the front springs on the outside of the frame.

I found some '78 Scout II axles on Craigslist 5X5.5".
Doing a little research though people keep saying that they have 0 degree casters and something about the steering arms on the knuckles.
Yea so I'm not going to pretend I understood it all but am I correct in thinking that I should pass on the Scouts and keep looking for some Waggy axles?

Any other downfalls or comparisons I should know about?

the scout axles arent bad but they are harder to find parts for and i can tell you the axles under the 67 scout that i drive suck for working on. the caster can easily be fixed and the steering part could be fixed easy too. i would hold out for waggy axles or maybe just save up and build a nice set of axles down the rd. a ford hp44 could easily be retubed for pass side drop and would be awesome for keeping the driveshaft up out of the rocks.