Got a D44 Comanche axle. Have questions.

[CSaddict]

Ok so I just picked up a D44 rear axle for a Comanche. It was advertised as a 3.55 rear which as far as I can read on the tag its a 3.54 rear. The guy at the junk yard said he still thinks its a 3.55. So the questions are.

1. I have a 3.55 front D30. Can I run the 3.54 rear? I was told by the local shop it would be fine and some Fords came like that fro the factory meaning 4.10 and 4.11 front. I never run it in 4x4 on pavement.

2. I am going to weld new perches on top. I have a about 4.25" lift and I have an SYE and a front driveshaft to run in the rear. Should I weld the perches on with an additional 2 or 3 degrees? I Plan on not going over 5" total lift. I figure its easier to adjust the perch before I weld it than to add a shim later. I have a set of steel RE 4 degree shims in a box if needed.

Thanks for the input.
David

[HeavyMetal]

first off, yes 3.54 is more than fine with 3.55, i believe rule of thumb is keep it within .01-.02 anyway

second, yes i think you should weld on at some degree (whatever it is you need), thats common practice as far as i know

[heapxj]

Step one: grind the spring perches off the bottom
Step two: stop and put the 44 away until step three is completed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Step three: put the lift in
step four: put the spring perches on the axle and put the axle under the truck. Find the best pinion angle( almost in line with the driveshaft but point the yoke slightly downward)
step five: weld the perches to the axle
step six: wheel

[heapxj]

3.54 and 3.55 are the same thing

[YeaItsCold]

congrats id pop the cover off and take a look at the carrier before you slap it in, mine had a lot of play in it, and part of the carrier was VERY well worn.. just an fyi..

[heapxj]

don't take anything inside apart till it's time to regear

[CSaddict]

Im just gonna take a look inside. It spins nicely. There is no evidence of leaking seals. I will get all new brakes, hardware and drums this week.

[HeavyMetal]

if youre dropping the coin on new brakes, might i be so bold as to suggest you finding a disk brake system off a ZJ / or the teraflex conversion set from DC4WD.com?

drums are Gay to the maximum level, hell i should know i have d35 brakes on my 44....

[heapxj]

I had all new brakes on my 44 and it stopped very well.

[CSaddict]

admin said:

if youre dropping the coin on new brakes, might i be so bold as to suggest you finding a disk brake system off a ZJ / or the teraflex conversion set from DC4WD.com?

drums are Gay to the maximum level, hell i should know i have d35 brakes on my 44....

Point taken but to replace every piece except the cylinders is only $100 or so. Maybe in the future if I feel the drums arent doing a good enough job I will convert. Keep in mind my old CJ that wheeled every weekend had manual brakes and 4 WHEEL DRUM! It stopped fine.

[YeaItsCold]

heapxj said:

don't take anything inside apart till it's time to regear

to late.. mine is stripped.. i steamed it today.. i wanted to rebuild everything.. bad move?

[Buffalo Phil]

No, just unessessary. You are gonna be ripping that axle apart soon to regear, no?

[heapxj]

fyi the drums from Napa are over $75 a piece. I'd try to turn them

[heapxj]

Rich, you fawked yourself. You need to know how the carrier and pinion were set up origonally to have somewhere to start. Bad move man.

[YeaItsCold]

heapxj said:

Rich, you fawed yourself. You need to know how the carrier and pinion were set up origonally to have somewhere to start. Bad move man.

What do you mean how they were set up? I put all the bolts and peices back exactly how they were (bolts, and caps)