Beefing up a Dana 44 rear end

[TacPen]

So I keep seeing posts and articles about beefing up the front Dana 30 for 35+ tires and then beefing up the Dana 44 for 37+ tires. I see gussets, sleeves and trusses for the front differential but there's very little in the way of products by comparison to beef up the rear Dana 44 (there are some trusses out there).

Is there just no need? I would think that the rear end gets more work pushing the vehicle and imagine that flexing the axle housing still puts strain on the axle shafts. Is the rear just strong enough as it is or do people just find it cheaper to upgrade to a 60 than beef up the 44?

 

[wayoflife]

Truth be told, you don't really need to beef up the front axle as breaks are actually pretty rare. You're always more likely to break a shaft than a housing anyway and why people put them on the back burner over sleeves has always left me scratching my head.

Regarding the rear, if you run big tires and play hard, you will bend it. Having said that, you are more likely to bend your housing by installing a truss than not. As far as shafts go, the Rubicon comes with 32 spline shafts and they're really pretty strong. If you've got a Sahara or Sport, you can install a 35 spline ARB and shafts and that'll be a really strong setup. However, even if you do that, you're still more than likely to bend a flange than anything and nothing short of a 60 will help prevent that.

 

[Oscar the Grouch]

More likely to bend the rear 44 if you truss?

 

[wayoflife]

More likely to bend the rear 44 if you truss?

Yes. It'll bend from the truss being welded on. There are ways to mitigate that but, you would need a welder who really knows what he's doing.

 

[Oscar the Grouch]

O good. My welder buddy builds ecors rigs. He said he put the truss on for me. He's done a few dozen so hopefully he has it figured. Fronts in the mail.

Axle warp from the heat is what your referring too. Not worried about that

 

[TacPen]

It'll bend from the truss being welded on.

That's a pretty simple fix though, just be patient and go nice and slow. Weld bit by bit and let the axle cool between welds.

I've been toying with the idea of fabbing up my own reinforcement for the rear Dana 44 but I'm not sure just how far to take it. Apparently, I don't need to take it that far.

 

[Oscar the Grouch]

Artec truss.

 

[wayoflife]

That's a pretty simple fix though, just be patient and go nice and slow. Weld bit by bit and let the axle cool between welds.

Yeah, I hear people tell me that all the time. Funny how I still see plenty of bent axles soon after getting trusses welded on. :idontknow:

 

[ssh6314]

There's a lot that goes into welding any metal and not making it weak or brittle. Hours of air cooling. Without letting your metal go cold. Even good welders can inadvertently make something brittle or weaken the metal making it a lot more susceptible to bending. Ask me how I know

Sent from my EVO-3d using WAYALIFE app.

 

[TacPen]

Yeah, I hear people tell me that all the time. Funny how I still see plenty of bent axles soon after getting trusses welded on. :idontknow:

You can warp 1/2" plate welding it and you can also make very small and precise welds. It depends on the skill and experience of the welder.

Just because you can't weld one without bending it doesn't actually mean it can't be done.

There's a lot that goes into welding any metal and not making it weak or brittle.

It's not cake but it isn't rocket surgery either. It does take patience, skill and know how but what doesn't?

 

[OverlanderJK]

Just because you can't weld one without bending it doesn't actually mean it can't be done.

Here we go again...:rolleyes2:

 

[TacPen]

Here we go again...:rolleyes2:

Quit being a stooge, I'm just saying that if you can't weld it yourself but want a truss just find someone who can. It's not quantum physics and it can be replicated.

 

[wayoflife]

You can warp 1/2" plate welding it and you can also make very small and precise welds. It depends on the skill and experience of the welder.

Just because you can't weld one without bending it doesn't actually mean it can't be done.

Funny, I don't ever recall saying that it can't be done. :naw:

It's not cake but it isn't rocket surgery either.

Ummm, the cliché is "rocket science" or "brain surgery"

It does take patience, skill and know how but what doesn't?

Sounds like you've got this one all figured out - you should definitely do this to your axle :thumb:

Quit being a stooge, I'm just saying that if you can't weld it yourself but want a truss just find someone who can. It's not quantum physics and it can be replicated.

:cheesy: Are you always this much of a drama queen or are you just one when you're on the internet? :drama:

Seriously, you need to relax my friend. :yup:

 

[piginajeep]

How many rear axles do you see bent to really feel the need to add a truss?

 

[snopro]

I bent my Rear rubicon flange drivers side this summer. Yup!! I now have a stronger one in Yup!! Will I bend it again because I don't have a Dana 60 Yup probably!!

 

[piginajeep]

I bent my Rear rubicon flange drivers side this summer. Yup!! I now have a stronger one in Yup!! Will I bend it again because I don't have a Dana 60 Yup probably!!

Flange not the axle tubes

Yup yup

 

[ssh6314]

This whole thread comes down to the same thing that was being argued and explained in that ridiculous Dana 30 running 40's thread. If your using a Dana 30 and are running tires or rock crawling on trails that really should have a 44. It's gonna break, bend, implode into a black hole of nothingness. Because no matter what you weld, duct tape, superglue, or ziptie to that Dana 30. It's still just a Dana 30. If you reinforce everything on it. Then your just gonna force the break to the small ring and pinion of a Dana 30. This is the exact same for anything axle, try to crawl trails behind Moby and EVO1 where only a PR-60 belongs, with your Dana 44, your gonna break it. In some place, no matter what you do. Again Just forcing the break to the ring and pinion if you have some master welder reinforce the axle. The jump from a 44 to a 60 is significant. Or people wouldn't waste the money. They would go the cheaper reinforcing stock route. /endrant.

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[TacPen]

Ummm, the cliché is "rocket science" or "brain surgery"

No, no, I think I got it right this time.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Rocket Surgeon

Sounds like you've got this one all figured out - you should definitely do this to your axle :thumb:

Well thank goodness, now that I have the forum's approval I'll finally be able to sleep at night.

:cheesy: Are you always this much of a drama queen or are you just one when you're on the internet? :drama:

Usually I'm pretty mellow but the watching the little train of psychophants on this forum just brings out my eloquent side.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Usually I'm pretty mellow but the watching the little train of psychophants on this forum just brings out my eloquent side.

Can you dumb that down? I'm a retard redneck with a little brain. Thanks

 

[MTG]

No, no, I think I got it right this time.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Rocket Surgeon

LOL! I love that saying (and the looks I get when I say it)...but then again I am no rocket surgeon myself. :idontknow:

Well thank goodness, now that I have the forum's approval I'll finally be able to sleep at night.

I don't think anyone was attacking you. But that is funny nevertheless. I personally am glad you can finally sleep...we all need sleep. LOL!

Usually I'm pretty mellow but the watching the little train of psychophants on this forum just brings out my eloquent side.

I think you should truss it up. Put some serious metal on that shit. No really, when you think you have enough support...double it. No wait, triple it! You can never have enough support...both physically and emotionally. :thumb:

Post pics please!