Dana 44... keep the auto hubs, or go with manuals?
#1
Dana 44... keep the auto hubs, or go with manuals?
My 72 Chevy Blazer D44 has auto-locking/internal/drive flange (I'm not sure which is the proper term?) hubs. They're basically full-time 4x4 hubs. I've gotten the impression that they aren't the strongest things or most ideal when it comes to wheeling. Should I go with some WARN Premium hubs? Or are there other manual hubs I should look into? Or will the auto hubs work alright for me? The end result is going to be 5.13 or 5.38 gears, lockrite, chromo shafts, and cut to 77-79 Waggy 44 length to use the waggy inner axle shafts. Tires will be in the 36"-37" range.
Also, from what I can tell, the hub/rotor assembly is all one piece and can't be separated. Will I have to change these if I go to manual hubs? The brakes seem to be in ok condition (I'll just clean them up and have them turned), but I will need to replace some of the wheel studs. Should I go ahead and replace all of them? Or is it an "If it ain't broke don't fix it" sort of thing?
Also, from what I can tell, the hub/rotor assembly is all one piece and can't be separated. Will I have to change these if I go to manual hubs? The brakes seem to be in ok condition (I'll just clean them up and have them turned), but I will need to replace some of the wheel studs. Should I go ahead and replace all of them? Or is it an "If it ain't broke don't fix it" sort of thing?
#2
#4
#6
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
it is just the metal cover on Dana 44's....
#7
#9
Originally Posted by Gearhead61
ok. I've got an inner hub nut, a spacer thing with some holes in it, an outer hub nut, a spring, a metal gear-shaped slug thing, a snap ring, and then the metal cover. It looks to me like the warns only replace the metal cover... Is that right?
#10
#11
Originally Posted by Gearhead61
I finally found a copy of the WARN installation instructions and it answered all my questions. The drive flange gets replaced by the lockout hub. The inner/outer hub nuts, the spacer, and the spring/slinger all stay in. Thanks for the help guys!
Edit: here you go with pictures and all.
http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods...ub_rebuild.htm
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