New axle Dana RC44

[Ben97XJ]

Well i got the axle its in a friends truck ready to go back to Dallas.
WMS 66' 5 on 5.5
Factory Flat top Knuckles - Passenger needs to be machined and Tapped

[Ben97XJ]

Thanks to Jason for picking it up with me. Since Austin's Tire was falling off.

[bburris]

mine is leaf sprung, too:flipoff2:

[bburris]

I started looking for parts for it. I don't know what your monetary situation is or if you like owing your credit card, but "PeakZJ" has ALL D30/35/44 gears on sale for $100 + shipping on Pirate right now in the Vendor's section. That's the best deal you'll be able to find... Shakerbuilt is also running a special on high steer arms - $125 for a pair.

Just FYI...:D

[Ben97XJ]

Thanks
Are you going to get yours milled and drilled for high steer arms?
Who are you going to have do it. Also what are you going to use for coil mounts? I was planning on fabbing my own.
One question what did you pay for yours? if you want you can just PM me. I may bbe asking you for some help this summmer!

[bburris]

I started disassembly on it and the matching Ford 9" last night. I paid $125 for the pair.

I need to take the knuckles off and take them to the machinist that reamed my D30 knuckles to see if he can mill and tap them. If not maybe Austin or someone at Vila's can do it.

I think I'm about to order the steering arms reamed for Chevy TREs, then I'll fab another steering setup with the same materials as the one I just finished. Sky is running a special right now, though - $110 for a pair of arms. Shakerbuilt's are $125. I think I'm getting the Sky arms since they're machined with an angle so your TREs sit flat across instead of sitting at the angle of your knuckles.

As for coil mounts, I really have no idea what I'm going to do. There's plenty of pics and stuff floating around, but I haven't even started look at that part of the project yet. I REALLY want coilovers sticking through my hood, but that's probably not feasible. The front is getting a true 4-link no matter what, because I don't want to deal with the track bar any more.

[Ben97XJ]

Well you definately got a deal on those axles. You don't happen to know anyone with another nine laying around? I am going to do the rear nine also. What are you going with as far as gearing and lockers. Also are you going 31 or 35 spline in the rear?

[bburris]

I'll look around for a rear nine, but you might have better luck at a place like Pick N Pull or Awesome Auto Salvage in Dallas.

I'm keeping it 31 spline for now. There's no way in hell my 4 cyl is going to break anything. I just ordered 5.38s front and rear and a rear spool. I got all the bearings and seals from Paul at CarQuest, so assembly on the Ford 9 will start after I get the rear axle tanked. I'm going to look around for a front Detroit now since I think I can find one for cheaper than ~$500 which seems to be what most web-based places are charging. I got new everything else, but I think a used Detroit will be fine... My savings needs a little time to recover.

If I swap engines I'll convert the front to 8 lug and get custom 8 lug 35 spline axles for the rear, but that won't be any time soon (hopefully).

I also need to figure out how to pull a real front axle apart now... The hubs and crap look confusing now that I'm used to unit bearings.

[TXsizeK5]

Sky is running a special right now, though - $110 for a pair of arms. Shakerbuilt's are $125

Jamie said he had good Experience with a company called Jarvis Knife Works, he sells knives and does alot of machining work including steering arms and such for a good price. You might want to look it up on google or get with jamie on that one.

[bburris]

The Sky arms are baller though.:flipoff2:

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/images/suzuki/dana44chrom.jpg

[Ben97XJ]

What size tire are you planning on running with those 5.38s
I was thinking 37's and 5.13's or 4.88's but i do have a 4.0.

[bburris]

I'll keep the 36s until they wear out, then move up to some 37s of some sort or 38.5" SXs.

[eight]

Originally posted by bburris

If I swap engines I'll convert the front to 8 lug and get custom 8 lug 35 spline axles for the rear,

What the point in this?

[robertf03]

Originally posted by eight
What the point in this?

do you mean he should just get a stock 35 spline 8 lug axle?

I'd rather have the 9" with custom shafts. way lighter than a full floater, much better ground clearance. Also easier to weld links to, which is probaby brett's main reason for doing that :flipoff2:

[eight]

Well, why would one convert to 8 lug when one could just get 35 spline 5 lug shafts? But I guess he's thinkin 60 front eventually.

[robertf03]

Originally posted by bburris


I also need to figure out how to pull a real front axle apart now... The hubs and crap look confusing now that I'm used to unit bearings.

step 1: drag axle into the kitchen :D

[bburris]

Yeah, then I'll need to locate an abandoned fork, a broken screwdriver, and something to pound on them with.:flipoff2:

[stinger7401]

Ahhh but first you should check for the bearing cooler and make sure its not still hooked up..

[bburris]

yeah...

:rolleyes:

[BigRedFord04]

i made/machined high steer arms for Xtreme a couple months back, we could do it...if nothing else we could drill and tap the knuckles if you need it.

[bburris]

I'll take you up on the mill/drill/tap thing...:D

[Ben97XJ]

I'll take you up on that as well.

[Ben97XJ]

Well here are some progress pics. I haven't had time to get too much done but it is starting to take shape. Also does anybody have a pattern as far as how to mill done the passenger arm and tap for high steer?

[uglyota]

what's that hunk of metal on top, benji? :D

[LilRed]

I am going to cut it down some more and i will box it in and mount my upper control arm on it.
This is Ben by the way.