I know that it may be a step down in strength but there are many advantages of going to a D44. For those of you that have actually done it and are running 33" or bigger tires, do you wish you had gone larger? Maybe a D60? Did you go with drum or disc brakes and how did you run the parking brake?

My truck doesn't have any weight in the back until I load it up for a run and even then it probably weighs less then a Pathy or X loaded. I'm looking at maybe a 1/2" thick tubed D44 standard rotation, maybe full float, rotated up slightly for better clearance. I run 33s but may go to 35s once I go SAS. I just don't think I need the extra weight and reduced clearance of a D60 and I don't want to spend the money for a high clearance D60. What would be sweet would be a full float D44 with the new 35 spline axles that Superior is making but I don't think they are making them for our bolt patern yet.

One more thing. does anyone know the axle shaft diameter for our 31 and 33 spline rear axles?

shaft size/strength is comparable to a D44. D44's use 1.31" shafts....early H233's use 1.25" shafts...not sure on the 33 spline units.

The ring gear is smaller in a D44.

should be fine for up to 35" tires. Gears and lockers are cheap and plentiful.

A truss of some sort isn't a bad idea though.

hey chuck you could also go the 9" route if you werent against custom axle shafts (in order to get 6x5.5) or going to 5x5.5 all around for your bolt pattern (would be easier to swap the front BP), plus 31,33, or 35 splined axles are available, i think its stronger than a d44

but if it was just a choice between your already built h233b and a D44 thats a tougher choice, you might be able to break even selling all the junk outta your axle and start over with the 44

Chuck if/when you sell, let me know. I want to buy your axle so I have spare parts. Not only the shafts, but spare 5.14 gears.

hes got a HB, different length shafts and, well, i guess the R&P will work as a spare

I considered going with a different bolt pattern or a 9" axle. I don't think all the junk I have for my SAS would work with a differnt bolt pattern up forward. I think alloy axles in a D44 would be strong enough for my engine, even with the crawler gears and 44s. If they do start making the 35 spline shafts that I could use, it wouldn't be worth swapping because it would mean getting a new locker also.

quote:

---

hes got a HB, different length shafts and, well, i guess the R&P will work as a spare

---

Already thought of that, and it has a different spline count, but I have a Buddy who already made that mistake only he bought a newer one, so thats why I want the axle, i get the spare shafts and a spare R&P.

Chuck, unless your going to run anything bigger than 35's, the h233 OR the 44 will be fine.

swapping the front bolt pattern is as easy as getting the new rotor and hub, actually maybe just the hub (if you want to seperate the hub from the rotor you have now)

this is possible because ford chevy and jeep all use the same wheel bearings, thats how im putting 5x5.5 on chevy flat tops on my ford high pinion axle

Robin,
Have you got a H233 or H233B? I've got the 31 spline version and my gears are only 4.88.

Already addressed up there /\

A friend made that mistake and bought a newer axle that works for mine, so im going to swap his with whatever older h233 i buy.

I thought your gears were 5.14's?

you still want his r&P?

Not if its 4.8, I coulda sworn he was geared.

I started out with 4.3 and changed to 4.8 just before the Death Valley run. I finished installing the third member about 2am and left for Joel's house a few hours later.

yeah i remeber that, I would have bet money that you were 5.14'ed. oh well, I will respectfully pass.

But as far as axles, I think youll be fine either way you go.

i think you need a d70 chuck, throw some 42s under there and.........